Fall 2007/Pasadena
ST501
Johnston
ST501: SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY 1: THEOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY. Robert K. Johnston.
(School of Psychology Second-year Students Only).
DESCRIPTION: This course is specially designed to introduce Psychology
students to the discipline of theology, with the aim of helping participants
develop as constructive Christian theologians. Topics that will be considered
include (1) theological method, (2) revelation, (3) God, (4) creation/
providence, and (5) humankind. The course is intended to challenge SOP students
to develop and appropriate their own understanding of these topics in the
context of their professional preparation.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have demonstrated (1)
a basic understanding of the theological topics stated above; (2) an ability to
engage in theological dialogue on these topics in light of their professional
preparation; (3) skill in developing one's own theology using Bible, history,
one's church community, experience, and culture; (4) an appreciation of
theology's ecumenical and cultural diversity.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Understanding the principal doctrines of the faith, as
well as how to think theologically, is foundational to any integrative work as
a Christian health care professional.
COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet weekly for a three-hour session for
lecture, discussion, media presentations, and small group activity.
REQUIRED READING:
- Grenz, S. J. Theology for the Community of God. Eerdmans,
2000.
or Placher, William C., ed. Essentials of Christian
Theology. Westminster John Knox, 2003.
- Johnson, Elizabeth. She Who Is. Crossroad Herder, 2002.
or Gutiérrez, Gustavo. The God of Life. Orbis, 1991.
- Johnston, Robert K. The Use of the Bible in Theology. Wipf &
Stock, 1985.
- Murphy, Nancey. Bodies and Souls, Or Spirited Bodies? Cambridge
University Press, 2006.
- Otto, Rudolph. The Idea of the Holy. Oxford University Press, 1958
[1923].
- Pinnock, Clark. Most Moved Mover. Baker, 2001.
- Scholer, David. Women in Ministry. Covenant Publications,
1983-1984.
- Course Reader of selected articles and stories; films; biblical texts; FTS
Statement of Faith.
RECOMMENDED READING (three required if take-home exam is waived):
- Marshall, I. Howard. Beyond the Bible. Baker,
2004.
or Theissen, Gerd. The Bible and Contemporary Culture.
Fortress, 2007.
- An Inconvenient Truth (d. Guggenheim, 2006).
and
Bouma-Prediger, Steven. For the Beauty of the Earth. Baker Academic,
2001.
- Anderson, Ray. On Being Human. Fuller Theological Seminary Press,
1982.
or Jewett, Paul, and Marguerite Shuster. Who We Are: Our
Dignity as Human. Eerdmans, 1996.
- George, Timothy, ed. God the Holy Trinity. Baker Academic,
2006.
or Work, Telford. Ain't Too Proud to Beg. Eerdmans,
2007.
or Sobrino, Jon, and Margaret Wilde. Where Is God?
Orbis, 2004.
- González, Justo. Mañana: Christian Theology from a
Hispanic Perspective. Abingdon, 1990.
or Fraser, Elouise
Renich. Confessions of a Beginning Theologian. InterVarsity Press,
1998.
or McGrath, Alister. Theology: The Basics. Blackwell,
2004.
ASSIGNMENTS: (1) One 2-page (5%), two 3-page (20%), & two 4-page (20%)
reviews of and interaction with selected readings & films. (2) Take-home
final exam or three optional 5-page response papers on recommended
reading (45%). (3) Class participation & required reading completed by
class time (10%)
PREREQUISITES: Permission of advisor -- second-year School of Psychology
students only.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement for Systematic
Theology "A" (STA).
FINAL EXAMINATION: Take-home or three optional 5-page response papers
on recommended reading.
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (7/07)