Spring 2015/Sacramento

HT503

Sumner

HT503: THE CHURCH’S UNDERSTANDING OF CHURCH, HUMANITY, AND CHRISTIAN LIFE IN ITS THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION (4 Units: 160 hours). Darren Sumner.

DESCRIPTION: HT503 is a survey of systematic and philosophical theology that focuses especially on revelation and scripture; creation and providence; theological anthropology (human identity and nature, the image of God, the fall, sin, and evil), soteriology (the election, calling, justification, regeneration, and sanctification of the Christian), and ecclesiology (the ministry and mission of the church). The course reflects the historic Christian church’s development of these doctrines in dialogue with its opponents and with its cultural context. Related topics and themes to be addressed may include the development and articulation of the inspiration and authority of scripture, God’s work in creation, human persons in relation to God, and the place of the church in the purposes of God.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students who complete HT503 will demonstrate: (1) a basic critical theological knowledge of the conceptual and normative dimensions of the doctrines of revelation, creation and providence, anthropology, soteriology, and ecclesiology as those and other selected doctrines emerged in the early church and developed to this day; (2) a basic competence in interpreting historic and contemporary perorations of these doctrines and an ability to evaluate these theological issues and their historical and contemporary development; and (3) a critical and sympathetic appreciation for the breadth, unity, and diversity of the Christian church.

COURSE FORMAT: This course meets over three weekends for a total of 30 hours of classroom instruction including a combination of lecture and discussion, plus 10 hours of directed learning activities including group discussion leadership, an online workshop, and critical engagement papers, for a total of 40 instructional hours.

REQUIRED READING: Approximately 1,150 pages in total.

Barth, Karl. Church Dogmatics Vol. IV/1, Sections 61-63 (Study Edition #23, or any edition of IV/1). T&T Clark, 2010. ISBN: 978-0567267184, Pub. Price $34.95 [130 pp. assigned].

Boff, Leonardo. Ecclesiogenesis: The Base Communities Reinvent the Church. Orbis, 1986. ISBN: 978-0883442142, Pub. Price $22.00 [120 pp. assigned].

Plantinga, Richard J., Thomas R. Thompson, and Matthew D. Lundberg. An Introduction to Christian Theology. Cambridge University Press, 2010. ISBN: 978-0521690379, Pub. Price $32.99 [200 pp. assigned].

Webster, John. Holy Scripture: A Dogmatic Sketch. Cambridge University, 2003. ISBN: 978-0521538466, Pub. Price $29.99 [140 pp. assigned].

Wilson, Jonathan R. God’s Good World: Reclaiming the Doctrine of Creation. Baker Academic, 2013. ISBN: 978-0801038815, Pub. Price $24.99 [260 pp. assigned].

Other selected readings to be made available weekly via e-Reserves, including selections from Augustine, M. Luther, J. Calvin, J. Cone, J. H. Yoder, J. Zizioulas, S. Jones, and others [approximately 150 pp. assigned].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. Class attendance and participation [30 hours], including student-led discussion of reading assignments [2 hours of Directed Learning Activity]. (10%). [This requirement is related to learning outcomes #1 and 3].

  2. Approximately 1,150 pages of required reading [75 hours] and three 4- to 5-page critical engagement papers integrating course reading with practical ministry scenarios [15 hours, including 6 hours of Directed Learning Activity]. (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, and 3].

  3. Structured interaction in the class’s online discussion forum, including a collaborative exercise integrating course reading and lectures with a practical ministry scenario [2 hours of Directed Learning Activity]. (5%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #2 and 3].

  4. Three in-class quizzes, each approximately two pages in length (based primarily upon lecture material) (15%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1]. [6 hours].

  5. A 10- to 12-page research paper on a topic chosen in consultation with the instructor. (40%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2]. [30 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet the TH2 or TH4 requirement in the 120 MDiv Program. Meets the STB requirement in the 144 MDiv Program.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.


NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. Textbook prices are set by publishers and are subject to change.

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