Fuller Online
ST503: Winter 2010
KŠrkkŠinen/Tibbs
ST503: SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY 3: ECCLESIOLOGY AND ESCHATOLOGY (4 units).
Veli-Matti KŠrkkŠinen, Professor of Systematic Theology;
Online facilitation by Eve Tibbs, Adjunct Assistant
Professor of Systematic Theology.
DESCRIPTION: This course discusses Christian beliefs about
ecclesiology and eschatology. The topics include the church, its nature as
expressed in various ecclesial traditions, ministry and mission,
sacraments/ordinances, as well as various approaches to the last things: parousia, death, resurrection, new creation, judgment,
millennium, heaven and hell. A contemporary Evangelical theology will be
construed in dialogue with ecumenical and contextual/intercultural
perspectives.
COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students
completing this course will have demonstrated:
á
A basic understanding of issues in their
traditional and contemporary expressions
á
An ability to reflect theologically upon the course
topics
á
Skills towards developing one's own theology in
critical dialogue with various views
á
An acquaintance with a range of cultural and
contextual matters that shape our understanding of theological issues
á
An appreciation of ecumenical and cultural
diversity.
RELEVANCE FOR THE CHRISTIAN
LIFE AND MINISTRY: An essential part of preparation for Christian
ministry is to learn to think theologically through issues of faith and
ministry.
COURSE FORMAT:
The class will be conducted on the Internet
using a 10-week lesson program aligned with FullerÕs academic calendar. Each
week students and the instructor will interact with the course material through
journaling, threaded discussions.
REQUIRED READING: 1,200 pages of required reading from the following;
á
Grenz, S.J. Theology for the Community of God.
Eerdmans, 2000, pp. 1-25, 461-659
á
KŠrkkŠinen, V.-M. An Introduction to
Ecclesiology. InterVarsity Press, 2002
á
Placher, W.C., ed. Essentials of Christian Theology. Westminster John
Knox, 2003, pp. 1-10, 221-365
á
Schwartz, H. Eschatology. Eerdmans, 2000
A text on a special
topic: choose one:
á
Braaten, C.E. & Jenson, R.W. The Ecumenical Future. Eerdmans, 2004
á
Fudge, E.W. & R.A. Peterson. Two Views of
Hell. InterVarsity Press, 2000
á
Gelder, C. van. The Essence of the Church: A Community Created by the
Spirit. Baker, 2000
á
Gelder C. van, ed. Confident Witness. (Gospel and Culture Series.)
Eerdmans, 1999
á
Grenz, S.J. The Millennial Maze.
InterVarsity Press, 1994
á
Guder, D.L. & L. Barrett, eds. Missional Church. Eerdmans, 1998
á
George, T. Pilgrims on the Sawdust Trail:
Evangelical Ecumenism. Baker, 2004
á
Hauerwas, S. & Willimon, W.H. Resident Aliens:
Life in the Christian Colony. Abingdon, 1989
á
Husbands, M., et al., eds.
The Community of the Word. InterVarsity Press, 2005
á
Gibbs, E. & Bolger, R.K. Emerging Churches.
Baker 2006
á
KŠrkkŠinen, V.-M. Toward a Pneumatological
Theology. Ed. Amos Yong. UPA, 2002
á
Moltmann, JŸrgen. The
Church in the Power of the Spirit. SCM Press, 1977
á
__________. The Coming of God: Christian
Eschatology. SCM Press, 1994
á
Newbigin, L. The Gospel in a Pluralistic Society.
Eerdmans, 1989
á
Stackhouse, J.G. ed. Evangelical Ecclesiology:
Reality or Illusion? Baker 2003
á
Volf, M. After Our Likeness: The Church as the Image of God.
Eerdmans, 1998
A contextual and/or
intercultural text (sections relevant for the course): choose one:
á
Barr, W.R. Constructive Christian Theology in
the Worldwide Church. Eerdmans, 1997
á
Boff, L. Ecclesiogenesis:
The Base Communities Reinvent the Church. Orbis,
1986
á
Evans, J. We Have Been Believers: An African
American Systematic Theology. Fortress, 1992
á
Gonz‡lez, J. Ma–ana:
Christian Theology from a Hispanic Perspective. Abingdon, 1990
á
Parratt, J. Reinventing Christianity: African Theology Today. Eerdmans,
1995
á
Parsons, S.F., ed. The
Cambridge Companion to Feminist Theology. Cambridge Univ. Press, 2002
á
Russell, L.M. Church in the Round: Feminist
Interpretation of the Church. WJKP, 1993
ASSIGNMENTS:
1.
Weekly threaded discussions (25%) and journaling, (10%)
2.
1,200 pages of required reading and reading responses, 10 pages
(25%)
3.
A research paper of 10 pages (40%)
PREREQUISITES: None. Yet, at least one course in biblical studies
and in historical theology/church history as well as philosophical theology,
are strongly recommended.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core
requirement in Systematic Theology "C" (STC). Ministry Focus Elective
in MAGL program
FINAL EXAMINATION: No.
This
ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. Updated October 2009