ST502

Spring 2011 Houston

Deddo

ST502 Systematic Theology II: Christology and Soteriology. Gary Deddo.

DESCRIPTION: Who is the Triune God whom we worship and believe? We will approach this question from the angle of the person and work of the Son incarnate in Jesus Christ in relation to the Spirit and the Father. We will also address the question of who we are in relation to this triune work of salvation provided for us. We will consider the biblical foundations and a number of theological issues and questions which have been raised and wrestled with throughout history and down into our own time. We will attempt to discern how best to understand and communicate the truth and reality of God active and revealed in the incarnation of the Son of God in Jesus Christ and his life of obedience, death, resurrection, ascension, and eternal mediation lived out in the power of the Spirit. We will then consider the significance of our redemption: our faith, justification, and sanctification in the grace of God through Christ and in the Spirit.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will demonstrate: 1) A basic understanding of the topics noted in the description in the light of Scripture, in the light of its expressions in the relevant ecumenical creeds, and in contemporary contexts. 2) A familiarity with the challenge of theological method and the important interplay of cultural-historical context. 3) Skills to critically engage a variety of theological formulations of the theological topics under consideration with appreciation for ecumenical and contextual/intercultural perspectives. 4) The ability to critically evaluate competing theological formulations and articulate a faithful presentation of key theological themes that will inform their own ministry, preaching, teaching and personal lives as members of the Body of Christ in its local and global expressions.

RELEVANCE FOR 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 meet for four weekends: April 15—16; 29-30; May 13-14; June 3-4. The schedule is as follows: Friday 6:00-9:30 PM; Saturday 8:30AM-12:30PM. Class will involve lectures interspersed with question and discussion time on the readings, lectures and assignments.

REQUIRED READING:

Minimum 70%, 800 pp., to be completed before class meets. See Pre-course Assignments

Select Biblical passages (Pre-course assignment in syllabus)

Barth, Karl. Dogmatics in Outline, Harper and Row (Chaps. 10-19). 006130056X. $11.70

Oden, Thomas. The Word of Life, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2. Harper/Collins, 1992 (all).

1598560387. $23.07

Torrance, Thomas F. The Mediation of Christ. Helmers and Howard (all). 0939443503. $14.00

Beilby, James and Paul Eddy, editors. The Nature of the Atonement: Four Views. IVP, 2006 (all).

0830825703. $13.60

Grenz, Guretzki, and Nordling. Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms. IVP, 1999. (For reference).

0830814493. $8.00.

Required Diversity Texts

Select one or two of the eight texts below and read a minimum of 160 pp. total. (Copies of these will be

available “On Reserve” at the course lecture site.)

Boff. Leonardo. Jesus Christ, Liberator. 0883442361. $26.60

Johnson, Elizabeth. Consider Jesus--Waves of Renewal in Christology. Crossroad, 1990. 0824511611.

$19.95

Kärkkäinen, Veli-Matti. Pneumatology: The Holy Spirit in Ecumenical, International, and Contextual

Perspective. Baker Academic. 080102448X. $20.28

Kraus, C. Norman. Jesus Christ Our Lord. Herald Press. 1592447899. $27.00

Miguez-Bonino, Jose. Faces of Jesus. 1592440975. $19.80

Schillebeeckx, Edward. Jesus: An Experiment in Christology. 0824504054. $8.25

Tanner, Kathryn. Jesus, Humanity and the Trinity. A Brief Systematic Theology. Fortress Press, 2001.

0800632931. $15.30

Wilson-Kastner, Patricia. Faith, Feminism and the Christ, Fortress, 1983. 0800617460. $.01

Required Elective Reading

May be drawn from Bibliography below or from journal articles available “On Reserve” at course site. 75 pp. total elective reading required

ASSIGNMENTS:

1. Complete required reading plus elective reading, totaling 1150 pages.

2. Attend all classes and participate in discussions. 10%

3. Complete two written Reflection Essays (2-3 pp. each). 10%

4. Complete a notebook on your reading. Detailed description in syllabus . 40%

5. Complete the final take-home exam. 40%

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets M.Div core requirement and a divisional requirement in MAT and MATM .

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.