Fall 2004/Pasadena
ST523
Kärkkäinen
ST523: THEOLOGICAL CHALLENGES OF RELIGIOUS PLURALITY. Veli-Matti
Kärkkäinen.
DESCRIPTION:
- Technically known as "theology of religions," this course
introduces the student to various approaches to how Christianity relates to
other religions and religious pluralisms. Catholic and Protestant, including
Evangelical, responses will be critically discussed. Studying theology of
religions entails some knowledge of living faiths; therefore, through reading
and case-studies, issues related to Islam-, Hindu-, and Buddhist - Christian
encounter will also be studied.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- Plurality of religions and an ideology of pluralism pose the
biggest challenge to Christian theology and mission in the new millennium.
While still a neglected topic in theological and missiological curriculum, in
the near future it will establish itself as a core issue for practitioners and
academicians.
COURSE FORMAT:
- The class will meet once a week for three hours of lecture,
discussion, and student presentations.
REQUIRED READING:
- Kärkkäinen, V.-M. An Introduction to Theology of
Religions. InterVarsity, 2003 (relevant sections).
- ________. The Trinity and Religious Pluralism. Ashgate, 2004.
- Knitter, P. Introducing Theologies of Religions. Orbis, 2002.
- Netland, H. Encountering Religious Pluralism. InterVarsity Press,
2001 (relevant sections).
- Select one:
- Cordua, W. Tapestry of Faiths: The Common Threads
between Christianity & World Religions. InterVarsity Press, 2002
- McDermott, G. R. Can Evangelicals Learn from World Religions?
InterVarsity Press, 2001.
- Tennett, T. C. Christianity at the Religious Roundtable. Baker,
2002.
- Select one:
- Harrelson, W. & Falk, R. M. Jews &
Christians: A Troubled Family. Abingdon, 2004.
- Imbach, J. Three Faces of Jesus: How Jews, Christians and Muslims See
Him. Templegate, 1993.
- Kung, H. Christianity and World Religions: Paths of Dialogue with
Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism. Orbis, 1993.
- Summer, G. The First and the Last: The Claims of Jesus Christ and the
Claims of Other Religious Traditions. Eerdmans, 2004.
- Chapman, C. The Cross & Crescent: Responding to the Challenge of
Islam. InterVarsity, 2004.
- A scholarly introduction to a living faith of student's choice (to
be approved by the professor).
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Griffiths, P. J. Problems of Religious Diversity. Blackwell,
2001.
- Kaplan, S. Different Paths, Different Summits: A Model for Religious
Pluralism. Rowman & Littlefield, 2002.
- Mortensen, V., ed. Theology and the Religions: A Dialogue. Eerdmans,
2003.
- Parry, R. & C. Partride, eds. Universal Salvation: The Current
Debate. Eerdmans, 2004.
- Ramachandra, V. Faiths in Conflict: Christian Integrity in a
Multicultural World. IVP, 2000.
- Serretti, M., ed. The Uniqueness and Universality of Jesus Christ: In
Dialogue with the Religions. Eerdmans, 2004.
- Tiessen, Terrance L. Who Can Be Saved? Reassessing Salvation in Christ
and World Religions. InterVarsity Press, 2004.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- (1) 1,200 pages of required reading. (2) Reading responses: 15
pages. (3) A research paper: 10 pages. (4) Student presentations in the
class.
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets the requirement in Globalization (GLBL) for
M.A. degrees.
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.