Fall 2013/Fuller Live!
Houston, Menlo Park
MT501
Mainiero
MT501: DOING THEOLOGY IN GLOBAL CONTEXTS. Andrew J. Mainiero.
DESCRIPTION: This course provides a basic introduction to theological reflection as this has developed in various places and is currently emerging in a global context. The goal is to provide the background and terminology necessary for students to begin exploring theology as an expanding conversation about the meaning of Scripture and the Christian life that extends itself through history and around the world.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: This course provides the student with the opportunity to reflect on fundamental issues of the Christian faith and the witness of the Church in a variety of cultural contexts. The readings and assignments are designed to facilitate this kind of reflection from the point of view of a biblical and dynamic pastoral activity in multiple cultural, ecclesial, and theological contexts.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: The goal of this course is to help students to begin to construct their own theology in a variety of cultural, ecclesiastical, and spiritual traditions and contexts, in critical dialogue with differing theological perspectives. Students completing this course will demonstrate (1) a recognition of the basic terminology and structure of Christian theology; (2) an acquaintance with a range of cultural and contextual matters that have shaped ecumenical, global, and cultural diversity in Christians’ understanding of theology; (3) familiarity with an influential Christian thinker or document in the history of the church; (4) foundational ability to develop the student’s own theology in critical dialogue with various views.
COURSE FORMAT: The course will be conducted as a Fuller live course shared between Menlo Park and Houston. The class will meet on five Saturdays for eight hours during the quarter every other week. The course will involve lecture and group discussion on the Saturdays. Students will interact with the reading and with one another in Moodle forums during the week.
REQUIRED READING: Approximately 1,200 pages of reading
Dyrness, William, and Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen, eds. Global Dictionary of Theology. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2008. ISBN: 978-083082454-0; Pub. Price $50.00 [20 articles approximately 120 pp.].
McGrath, Alister. Christian Theology. 5th ed. Oxford: Blackwell, 2011. ISBN: 978-1444335149; Pub. Price $48.00 [400 pp.].
Brown, Robert McAfee. Unexpected News: Reading the Bible with Third World Eyes. 1st ed. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1984. ISBN: 978-0664245528; Pub. Price $20.00 [168 pp.]
OR González, Justo L. Santa Biblia: The Bible through Hispanic Eyes. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1996. ISBN: 978-0687014521; Pub. Price $18.00 [200 pp.].
OR Kirwen, Michael C. The Missionary and the Diviner: Contending Theologies of Christian and African Religions. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1987. ISBN: 978-0883445846; Pub. Price $17.00 [134 pp.].
OR a book selected from a global and multi-tradition bibliography provided in the syllabus.
Ott, Craig, and Harold Netland, eds. Globalizing Theology: Belief and Practice in an Era of World Christianity. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2006. ISBN: 978-0801031120; Pub. Price $30.00 [350 pp.].
Keller, Timothy. The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism. Riverhead Books, 2008. ISBN: 9780525950493; Pub. Price $24.95 [251 pp.].
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
Personal 1-pg responses/reflection to 10 articles selected from The Global Dictionary of Theology (10%).
Four 3-page critical/analytical book reviews (20%).
A 5-page biographical executive summary of the theology of a significant Christian thinker (15%).
A 15 to 18-page research/reflection paper on a global theological topic (30%).
Group Interaction in Moodle Forums (25%).
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Seminary core requirement (SCR) for MATM, MAICS, MAFS, MACL (effective Winter 2010).
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.