Spring 2008/Pasadena
ST503
Kärkkäinen
ST503: SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY 3: ECCLESIOLOGY AND ESCHATOLOGY. Veli-Matti
Kärkkäinen.
DESCRIPTION: This course discusses Christian beliefs about ecclesiology and
eschatology. The topics include the church, its nature as expressed in various
ecclesial traditions, ministry and mission, sacraments/ordinances, as well as
various approaches to the last things: parousia, death, resurrection, new
creation, judgment, millennium, heaven and hell. A contemporary Evangelical
theology will be construed in dialogue with ecumenical and
contextual/intercultural perspectives.
COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have
demonstrated (1) a basic understanding of issues in their traditional and
contemporary expressions; (2) an ability to reflect theologically upon the
course topics; (3) skills towards developing one's own theology in critical
dialogue with various views; (4) an acquaintance with a range of cultural and
contextual matters that shape our understanding of theological issues; (5) an
appreciation of ecumenical and cultural diversity.
RELEVANCE FOR THE CHRISTIAN LIFE AND MINISTRY: An essential part of
preparation for Christian ministry is to learn to think theologically through
issues of faith and ministry.
COURSE FORMAT: Meets twice weekly for two-hour sessions of lecture, discussion
& student presentations.
REQUIRED READING:
- Grenz, S.J. Theology for the Community of God. Eerdmans,
2000, pp. 1-25, 461-659.
- Kärkkäinen, V.-M. An Introduction to Ecclesiology.
InterVarsity Press, 2002.
- Placher, W.C., ed. Essentials of Christian Theology. Westminster
John Knox, 2003, pp. 1-10, 221-365.
- Schwartz, H. Eschatology. Eerdmans, 2000.
- A text on a special topic: choose one:
- Braaten, C.E. & Jenson, R.W. The Ecumenical
Future. Eerdmans, 2004.
- Fudge, E.W. & R.A. Peterson. Two Views of Hell. InterVarsity
Press, 2000.
- Gelder, C. van. The Essence of the Church: A Community Created by the
Spirit. Baker, 2000.
- Gelder C. van, ed. Confident Witness. (Gospel and Culture Series.)
Eerdmans, 1999.
- Grenz, S.J. The Millennial Maze. InterVarsity Press, 1994.
- Guder, D.L. & L. Barrett, eds. Missional Church. Eerdmans,
1998.
- George, T. Pilgrims on the Sawdust Trail: Evangelical Ecumenism.
Baker, 2004.
- Hauerwas, S. & Willimon, W.H. Resident Aliens: Life in the Christian
Colony. Abingdon, 1989.
- Gibbs, E. & Bolger, R.K. Emerging Churches. Baker 2006.
- Kärkkäinen, V.-M. Toward a Pneumatological Theology. Ed.
Amos Yong. UPA, 2002.
- Moltmann, Jürgen. The Church in the Power of the Spirit. SCM
Press, 1977.
- __________. The Coming of God: Christian Eschatology. SCM Press,
1994.
- Newbigin, L. The Gospel in a Pluralistic Society. Eerdmans, 1989.
- Stackhouse, J.G. ed. Evangelical Ecclesiology: Reality or Illusion?
Baker 2003.
- Volf, M. After Our Likeness: The Church as the Image of God.
Eerdmans, 1998.
- A contextual and/or intercultural text (sections relevant for the
course): choose one:
- Barr, W.R. Constructive Christian Theology in the
Worldwide Church. Eerdmans, 1997.
- Boff, L. Ecclesiogenesis: The Base Communities Reinvent the Church.
Orbis,1986.
- Evans, J. We Have Been Believers: An African American Systematic
Theology. Fortress, 1992.
- González, J. Mañana: Christian Theology from a Hispanic
Perspective. Abingdon, 1990.
- Parratt, J. Reinventing Christianity: African Theology Today.
Eerdmans, 1995.
- Parsons, S.F., ed. The Cambridge Companion to Feminist Theology.
Cambridge Univ. Press, 2002.
- Russell, L.M. Church in the Round: Feminist Interpretation of the
Church. WJKP, 1993.
ASSIGNMENTS: (1) 1,200 pages of required reading. (2) Reading responses: 15
pages. (3) A research paper, 10 pages. (4) Student presentations. (5) Final
project: "My theological statement" (5 pp.)
PREREQUISITES: None. Yet, at least one course in biblical studies and in
historical theology/church history as well as philosophical theology are
strongly recommended.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Systematic Theology
"C" (STC).
FINAL EXAMINATION: No.
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (1/08)