Spring 2003/Pasadena
ST501
Shuster
ST501: SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY I: THEOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY. Marguerite
Shuster.
DESCRIPTION:
- This is an introductory course on theology and anthropology,
including revelation and Scripture, the triune God, creation, providence, the
nature of humankind, the fall, and sin.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- Understanding of the principal doctrines of the Christian faith is
vital to the preaching and teaching ministry of the church, as well as
informing Christian living. Knowledge of traditional central affirmations and
contemporary options in understanding the doctrines of God and humankind is
especially important in a day when scientific models challenge many traditional
viewpoints regarding God's relationship to the created order and our identity
as human beings.
COURSE FORMAT:
- The class will meet for two hours twice a week for ten weeks for
lecture and discussion. The required reading is designed specifically to
address issues that receive lesser attention in lectures.
REQUIRED READING:
- Choose two:
- Brown, C. That You May Believe. Wipf &
Stock, 1996.
- Granberg-Michaelson, Wesley. Tending the Garden. Eerdmans, 1987 (out
of print, on reserve).
- Gutiérrez, Gustavo. The God of Life. Orbis, 1991.
- Jewett, Paul K. Selected Readings in Racial Prejudice (photocopied
material).
- Polkinghorne, John. Science and Theology: An Introduction.
SPCK/Fortress, 1999.
- Van Till, Howard J., et. al., Portraits of Creation: Biblical and
Scientific Perspectives on the World's Formation. Eerdmans, 1990 (published
on demand).
- Wink, Walter. The Powers that Be: Theology for a New Millennium.
Doubleday, 1999; or Naming the Powers. Augsburg Fortress,
1984; or Unmasking the Powers. Augsburg Fortress,
1993.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Choose one, if desired (sections relevant to Theology
I):
- Berkhof, Louis. Systematic Theology. New ed.
Eerdmans, 1996.
- Grenz, Stanley. Theology for the Community of God. Eerdmans, 2000.
- Oden, Thomas. The Living God. HarperCollins, 1992.
- Augustine. The City of God. Cambridge University Press,
1998.
- Davis, Stephen, ed. The Trinity: An Interdisciplinary Study of the
Doctrine of the Trinity. Oxford University Press, 2002.
- Helm, Paul. The Providence of God. InterVarsity Press, 1994.
- Hick, John. Evil and the God of Love. St. Martin's Press, 1997 (out
of print, on reserve).
- Jewett, Paul K. God, Creation, and Revelation. Eerdmans, 1991 (books
on demand or Wipf & Stock, 2000).
- __________. Who We Are: Our Dignity as Human. Eerdmans, 1996 (books
on demand).
- LaCugna, Catherine. God for Us: The Trinity and the Christian Life.
HarperCollins, 1993.
- Many additional titles will be on reserve.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- 1,500 pages of reading, selected from required reading and titles
in the recommended or reserve lists, which represent many points of view.
Midterm and final examinations. Optional extra credit paper.
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets M. Div. core requirement in Systematic
Theology "a" (STA).
FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.