DESCRIPTION: This is an introductory course on the Person and work of Jesus Christ; the Holy Spirit; the communication of salvation in election, justification, and sanctification; and the life of faith.

COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will become familiar with the basic doctrinal loci in Christology and soteriology, that they might know the classic components of these loci, see how they are related to other aspects of Christian doctrine, and better understand what they believe and why. Students will have opportunity to explore a variety of theological options through diverse reading choices, and they will be exposed to theologians from differing cultural backgrounds, in order that they might appreciate how their own and others' cultural location and theological orientation affect theological formulations. Students will also be able to apply what they have learned to common problems one encounters in ministry settings and in Christian living.

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 Christology and soteriology is critical in a day when these matters at the heart of evangelical faith are being challenged on many fronts, both within and outside of the church.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet for two-hour sessions twice a week for ten weeks, for multimedia lecture and discussion.

REQUIRED READING:

Jewett, Paul K. The Holy Spirit: A Summary Statement (photocopied, handed out in class).

Thompson, Francis, "The Hound of Heaven," in G. K. Chesterton, The Hound of Heaven and Other Poems. Branden Books, 1995.

Choose at least one:

Aulén, Gustaf. Christus Victor. Wipf & Stock, 2003.

Anselm of Canterbury. Why God Became Man, in The Major Works. Oxford, 1998.

Choose one:

Pope-Levison, P. and J. R. Levison. Jesus in Global Contexts. Westminster, 1992.

Volker, Küster. The Many Faces of Jesus. Orbis, 2001.

Choose one, if you desire additional general material (sections relevant to Theology 2):

Berkhof, Louis. Systematic Theology. New ed. Eerdmans, 1996; or Grenz, Stanley. Theology for the Community of God. Eerdmans, 2000; or Oden, Thomas. The Word of Life. HarperCollins, 1992.

Placher, William C., ed. Essentials of Christian Theology. Westminster/John Knox, 2003.

Also recommended (many additional and equally worthy titles will be on reserve):

Davis, Stephen, et al., eds. The Incarnation (2002). The Redemption (2004). The Resurrection (1999). Oxford University Press.

Green, Michael. I Believe in the Holy Spirit. Rev. ed. Eerdmans, 2004.

Gunton, Colin E. The Actuality of the Atonement. T & T Clark, 2003.

Husbands, M. and D. Treier. Justification: What's at Stake in the Current Debates. IVP, 2004.

O'Collins, Gerald. Christology. Oxford University Press, 1995.

Ockholm, D. and T. Phillips. Four Views on Salvation in a Pluralistic World. Zondervan, 1996.

Schwarz, Hans. Christology. Eerdmans, 1998.