Summer 2009/Pasadena
Two-week Intensive: July 6-July 17
ST501
Tibbs
ST501: SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY 1: THEOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY. Eve Tibbs.
DESCRIPTION: This course provides a foundational understanding of Christian
theology and anthropology with reference to their biblical, traditional &
contemporary formulations, as expressed in various ecclesial and
contextual/intercultural perspectives. Topics to be discussed include
revelation and theology; God, especially the doctrine of the Trinity; creation;
theological anthropology and sin.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have demonstrated an
understanding of (1) what they believe with regard to the Christian faith, (2)
the interrelated character of Christian theology, (3) why they believe what
they believe in a way that enhances their own spiritual formation, (4) a range
of theological options and reasons for this diversity. They will also have (5)
enhanced their ability to think theologically in light of their own experience
and their church setting, and (6) increased their understanding of the role of
cultural diversity in theology, thus cultivating greater sensitivity in their
respective ministry ventures.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: An informed understanding of the principal doctrines
of the Christian faith is crucial to Christian preaching, teaching,
evangelizing and discipleship.
COURSE FORMAT: Daily for two weeks for four-hour sessions of lecture,
discussion, and student presentations.
REQUIRED READING:
- Grenz, S. Theology for the Community of God. Eerdmans,
2000.
- Kärkkäinen, V.-M. The Doctrine of God: A Global
Introduction. Baker, 2004.
- Oden, T. The Living God: Systematic Theology: Volume One. New York:
HarperCollins, 1992.
- Select one special topic text:
- Beilby, J.K. & P.R. Eddy. Divine Foreknowledge:
Four Views. InterVarsity Press, 2001.
- Bouma-Prediger, S. For the Beauty of the Earth: A Christian Vision for
Creation Care. IVP, 2001.
- Evans, J. We Have Been Believers: An African American Systematic
Theology. Fortress, 1992.
- Fiddes, P. Participating in God: A Pastoral Doctrine of the Trinity.
Westminster John Knox, 2001.
- Gonzáles, J. Mañana: Christian Theology from a Hispanic
Perspective. Abingdon, 1990.
- Gutierrez, G. The God of Life. Trans. M. J. O'Connell. Maryknoll:
Orbis, 1989.
- Kapolyo, J. M. The Human Condition: Christian Perspectives through
African Eyes. IVP, 2005.
- Kimmel, A.F., Jr., ed. Speaking the Christian God: The Holy Trinity and
the Challenge of Feminism. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans; Leominster, England:
Gracewing, 1992.
- Murphy, N. Bodies and Souls, or Spirited Bodies? Cambridge
University Press, 2006.
- Plantinga, C. Not the Way It's Supposed To Be: A Breviary of Sin.
Eerdmans, 1995.
- Romanides, J.S. The Ancestral Sin. Ridgewood NJ: Zephyr, 2002.
- Schwarz, H. Creation. Eerdmans, 2002.
- Shuster, M. The Fall and Sin: What We Have Become as Sinners.
Eerdmans, 2003.
- van Inwagen, P., ed. Christian Faith and the Problem of Evil.
Eerdmans, 2004.
- Zizioulas, John. Communion and Otherness: Further Studies in Personhood
and the Church. Continuum, 2007. (Trinity and Personhood)
RECOMMENDED READING: Additional recommended titles will be listed in the
syllabus.
Grenz, S. et al. Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms. Downers Grove:
InterVarsity Press, 1999.
ASSIGNMENTS: (1) Required reading (1,200 pages). (2) Four 2-page reading
responses (15% of grade). (3) Midterm short answer quiz (20% of grade). (4) One
4-5 page book review expounding on key points, plus your assessment, of one of
the required special topic texts (10% of grade). (5) A 10-12 page research
paper (30% of grade). (6) Take-home final exam (25% of grade).
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Systematic Theology
"A" (STA).
FINAL EXAMINATION: Take-home.
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (4/09)