Fall 2005/Pasadena
ST503
Brown
ST503: SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY 3: ECCLESIOLOGY AND ESCHATOLOGY. Colin Brown.
DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to provide a resource for thought, life
and ministry by examining Christian beliefs about the church, its nature and
authority; ministry; Christian worship; the sacraments; prayer; the parousia;
death, resurrection, judgment, heaven and hell.
COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: (1) Students completing this course will
have examined the topics noted in the Description in light of classical and
contemporary thought. (2) They will have reviewed different
interpretations of Scripture and its application to these topics. (3) They will
have been encouraged to develop a method for identifying and addressing
theological questions and to think for themselves. (4) They will have completed
assignments which stress the importance of precise writing, logical expression,
and the value of preserving written records. (5) They will have been challenged
by the cross-cultural component of the course which includes writing a book
report on a book chosen from a list of non-western writers.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Students are encouraged to think for themselves
theologically on fundamental issues of Christian life and ministry as they
affect their own tradition and other traditions.
COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet for lectures and discussion twice weekly in
two-hour sessions.
RECOMMENDED READING: There is no set textbook. The following are recommended on
specific topics:
- Beasley-Murray, G. R. Jesus and the Last Days. Peabody:
Hendrickson, 1993.
- Brown, C., ed. The New International Dictionary of New Testament
Theology. 4 vols. Rev. ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1986.
- Carson, D. A., ed. From Sabbath to Lord's Day. Grand Rapids:
Zondervan, 1982.
- The Church Teaches. Edited by the Fathers of St. Mary's College,
Kansas. Rockford: TAN Books, 1973.
- Clouse, R. G., ed. The Meaning of the Millennium. Downers Grove:
InterVarsity Press, 1977.
- Dillenberger, J., ed. Martin Luther: Selections. Garden City:
Doubleday, Anchor, 1961.
- Ex Auditu 6 (1990), Theme: Prophetic and/or Apocalyptic Eschatology.
Allison Park: Pickwick.
- Ex Auditu 9 (1993), Theme: Resurrection. Allison Park: Pickwick.
- Harris, M. J. Raised Immortal. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1985.
- Hick, J. Death and Eternal Life. New York: Harper & Row, 1977.
- Hoekema, A. H. The Bible and the Future. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans,
1979.
- Jewett, P. K. Infant Baptism and the Covenant of Grace. Grand
Rapids: Eerdmans, 1978.
- ________. The Lord's Day. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1971.
- Küng, Hans. Eternal Life? Life After Death as a Medical,
Philosophical, and Theological Problem. Garden City: Doubleday, 1986.
- Marshall, I. H. Last Supper and Lord's Supper. Grand Rapids:
Eerdmans, 1982.
- Schaff, P. The Creeds of Christendom. 3 vols. Grand Rapids: Baker,
1977; reprint ed., 1983.
- Toon, Peter. Heaven and Hell. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1986.
- Vatican II: Conciliar and Post-Conciliar Documents. Edited by A.
Flannery. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1975.
- Wainwright, G. Doxology. New York: Oxford University Press, 1980.
- Witherington, Ben, III. Jesus, Paul and the End of the World.
Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1992.
ASSIGNMENTS: Midterm essay. Submission of course notes at the end of the
quarter. The notes are to include coverage of topics treated in the course,
critical comments on 3 topics chosen by the student, and a 6-page report on a
book dealing with ethnic and cultural issues. Titles for the book report are
listed in the syllabus. Students completing their Systematic Theology courses
may choose to write a Credo in lieu of these assignments.
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Systematic Theology
"c" (STC).
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.