Fall 2008/Pasadena
ST503
Tibbs
ST503: SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY 3: ECCLESIOLOGY AND ESCHATOLOGY. Eve Tibbs.
DESCRIPTION: This course provides a foundational understanding of Christian
ecclesiology and eschatology with reference to their biblical, traditional, and
contemporary formulations, as expressed in various ecclesial and
contextual/intercultural perspectives. Topics include the nature, ministry and
life of the church, including ordination, sacraments, prayer, parousia, death,
resurrection, judgment, heaven, and hell.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have demonstrated an
understanding of (1) the course topics in light of both classical and
contemporary thought, (2) why they believe what they believe in a way that
enhances their own spiritual formation, and (3) a range of theological options
and reasons for this diversity. They will also have (4) enhanced their ability
to identify and address theological questions in light of their own experience
and their church setting. (5) They will have completed assignments that stress
the importance of precise writing and logical expression, and (6) will be
challenged to increase their understanding of the role of cultural diversity in
theology.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: An informed understanding of the life, worship, and
goals of the church is crucial to Christian preaching, teaching, evangelizing,
and discipleship.
COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet for lectures and discussion twice weekly in
two-hour sessions.
REQUIRED READING:
- Grenz, S. Theology for the Community of God. Eerdmans, 2000,
pp. 461-660.
- Kärkkäinen, V.-M. An Introduction to Ecclesiology.
InterVarsity Press, 2002.
- McGrath, A., ed. Theology: The Basic Readings. Blackwell, 2008, pp.
127-200.
- Schwartz, H. Eschatology. Eerdmans, 2000.
- Select one special topic text:
- Barr, W.R. Constructive Christian Theology in the
Worldwide Church. Eerdmans, 1997.
- Bauckham, R. God Will Be All in All: The Eschatology of Jürgen
Moltmann. T&T Clark, 1999.
- Boff, L. Ecclesiogenesis: The Base Communities Reinvent the Church.
Orbis, 1986.
- Fudge, E.W. & R.A. Peterson. Two Views of Hell: A Biblical &
Theological Dialogue. IVP, 2000.
- Gibbs, E. & Bolger, R. The Emerging Churches. Baker, 2005.
- Guder, D.L. & L. Barrett, eds. Missional Church. Eerdmans,
1998.
- Kimball, D. The Emerging Church. Zondervan, 2003.
- Lincoln, E.C. & L.H. Mamiya. The Black Church in African American
Experience. Duke, 2001.
- McGrath, Alister E. A Brief History of Heaven. Blackwell Publishing,
2003.
- Parratt, J. Reinventing Christianity: African Theology Today.
Eerdmans, 1995.
- Russell, L.M. Church in the Round: Feminist Interpretation of the
Church. WJK, 1993.
- Schmemann, A. Introduction to Liturgical Theology, trans. Moorhouse.
3d ed. St. Vladimir's, 1997.
- Stackhouse, J.G., ed. Evangelical Ecclesiology: Reality or Illusion?
Baker, 2003.
- Ware, Kallistos. The Orthodox Church. Penguin, 1993. (Part II: Faith
and Worship).
- White, James F. The Sacraments in Protestant Practice. Abingdon,
1999.
RECOMMENDED READING: Recommended titles will be listed in the syllabus.
ASSIGNMENTS: (1) Required reading (1,200 pages). (2) Five 2-page reading
responses plus active class participation (20% of grade). (3) Short answer
mid-term quiz (10% of grade). (4) One 4-5 page critical book review of one of
the required special topic texts (15% of grade). (5) Take-home final exam (25%
of grade). (6) One 10-page research paper (30% of grade).
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Systematic Theology
"c" (STC).
FINAL EXAMINATION: Take-home, open book.
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (9/08)