Spring 2007/Pasadena
ST501
Shuster
ST501: SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY 1: 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.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will become familiar with the basic doctrinal loci
relating to revelation, the doctrine of God, and theological anthropology, 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 explored 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 church's preaching & teaching ministry, as
well as informing Christian living. Knowledge of traditional central
affirmations & contemporary options is especially important today when
scientific models bring challenges 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 at least one:
- Bouma-Prediger, Steven. For the Beauty of the Earth. Baker,
2001.
- Brown, C. That You May Believe. Wipf & Stock, 1996.
- Jewett, Paul K. Selected Readings in Racial Prejudice (photocopied
material).
- 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.
- AND EITHER Gutiérrez, Gustavo. The God of Life. Orbis,
1991;
Or Evans, J. We Have Been Believers: An African-American
Systematic Theology. Fortress, 1992.
RECOMMENDED READING: (Many additional titles will be on reserve.)
- Choose one, if desired (sections relevant to Theology
1):
- 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.
- Placher, William C., ed. Essentials of Christian Theology.
Westminster John Knox, 2003.
- Augustine. The City of God. Cambridge University Press,
1998.
- Davis, S., ed. The Trinity: An Interdisciplinary Study of the Doctrine
of the Trinity. OUP, 2002.
- Hick, John. Evil and the God of Love. St. Martin's Press, 1997 (out
of print, on reserve).
- Jewett, P. 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.
- Shuster, Marguerite. The Fall and Sin: What We Have Become as
Sinners. Eerdmans, 2004.
- Tiessen, Terrance. Providence and Prayer: How Does God Work in the
World? InterVarsity Press, 2000.
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 MDiv core requirement in Systematic Theology
"a" (STA).
FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.