Fall 2008/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 (215 pp.).
or Placher, W. C., ed. Essentials of Christian
Theology. Westminster John Knox, 2003 (175 pp.).
- Johnson, Elizabeth. Quest for the Living God. Continuum, 2007 (228
pp.).
or Gutiérrez, Gustavo. The God of Life. Orbis,
1991 (189 pp.).
- Johnston, Robert K. Doing Theology. (Available in the Fuller
bookstore; 200 pp.).
- Marshall, I. Howard. Beyond the Bible. Baker, 2004 (127 pp.).
- Murphy, Nancey. Bodies and Souls, Or Spirited Bodies? Cambridge
University Press, 2006 (147 pp.).
- Pinnock, Clark. Most Moved Mover. (186 pp.) Baker, 2001.
- Scholer, David. Women in Ministry. Covenant Publications, 1983-1984
(10 pp.).
- Course Reader of selected articles and stories; films; biblical texts; FTS
Statement of Faith (150 pp.).
RECOMMENDED READING (three required if take-home exam is waived):
- Thompson, John. Reading the Bible with the Dead. Eerdmans,
2007 (227 pp.).
or Theissen, Gerd. The Bible and Contemporary
Culture. Fortress, 2007 (152 pp.).
- An Inconvenient Truth (d. Guggenheim, 2006).
and
Bouma-Prediger, Steven. For the Beauty of the Earth. Baker Academic,
2001 (174 pp.).
- Anderson, Ray. On Being Human. Fuller Theological Seminary Press,
1982 (226 pp.).
or Gonzalez, Michelle. Created in God's Image.
Orbis, 2007 (184 pp.).
- George, Timothy, ed. God the Holy Trinity. Baker Academic, 2006 (155
pp.).
or Migliore, Daniel. The Power of God and the God of
Power. Westminster John Knox, 2008 (133 pp.).
- González, Justo. Mañana: Christian Theology from a
Hispanic Perspective. Abingdon, 1990 (167 pp.).
or
Koyama, Kosuke. Waterbuffalo Theology. Orbis, 1974 (215 pp.).
ASSIGNMENTS: (1) Two 2-page (15%), one 3-page (10%), & 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; or permission of instructor.
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. (7/08)