DESCRIPTION:

This course is designed to acquaint students with various public theologies, focusing in particular on the contribution of Abraham Kuyper. While our ultimate focus will be on Kuyper's contribution, we will look at the theological and contextual bases for public engagement in other traditions, ranging from Anabaptist voices to types of liberation theologies. Students will critically assess these approaches to public theology and begin formulating a contemporary public theology rooted in Kuyper or another tradition.

Students will begin to develop a theological basis for public engagement in the realms of politics and culture. The public implications of the Christian faith are of great significance, which means that Christian life and ministry requires that we consider the manner in which our faith affects every sphere of life, particularly beyond the walls of the church.

The course is a two week intensive, meeting daily for four hours of lecture/discussion and some presentations.

Kuyper, Abraham. Lectures on Calvinism. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1943.

Bratt, James D., ed. Abraham Kuyper: A Centennial Reader. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998 (selections).

Heslam, Peter S. Creating a Christian Worldview: Abraham Kuyper's Lectures on Calvinism. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998.

Yoder, John Howard. For the Nations: Essays Evangelical and Public. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997 (selections).

Valentin, Benjamin. Mapping Public Theologies: Beyond Culture, Identity, and Difference. Trinity Press International, 2002.

Course Reader.

1. Students will keep a journal for interaction with the reading material. Due on July 19 (25%).

2. A midterm exam on Friday, July 9 (25%).

3. Prepare a class presentation for July 16. This will reveal your progress in developing your own public theology and provides an opportunity for feedback from the professor and fellow students as you write your research/position paper (15%).

4. A research/position paper of 8-10 pages (12 point Times New Roman font with one inch margins) that will present your theology of public engagement. While the aim is to present the student's perspective, the paper should be conversant with the ongoing theological conversation. Due on July 26 (35%).

None.

Elective.

None.