DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to provide an introduction to Christian beliefs about revelation and scripture, the triune God, creation and providence, human beings as the image of God, the fall, evil, and sin. Attention will be given to biblical and historical theological approaches to these doctrines. The aim of the course will be for students to become familiar with these doctrines, and also to consider how they relate to theological reflection in our contemporary setting and how these Christian beliefs shape ministry and the church today.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: As men and women who will participate in the manifold ministries of Christ, an essential part of preparation for Christian ministry is to learn to think theologically through issues of faith and ministry so that they can equip those they lead for service.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have demonstrated (1) a basic understanding of key theological 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; and (4) an appreciation of ecumenical and cultural diversity.

COURSE FORMAT: Twice weekly for two-hour sessions for lecture, discussion and student projects.

REQUIRED READING:

Grenz, Stanley J. Theology for the Community of God. Eerdmans, 2000. [pp. 1-242] ISBN: 0802847552.

Kärkkäinen, V-M. The Doctrine of God: A Global Introduction. Baker, 2004. [320 pp.] ISBN: 0801027527.

Placher, W.C., ed. Essentials of Christian Theology. Westminster John Knox, 2003. [pp. 1-181, 297-328] ISBN: 0664223958.

Special topic, choose one:

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.

Fiddes, P. Participating in God: A Pastoral Doctrine of the Trinity. Westminster John Knox, 2001.

Kärkkäinen, V-M. The Trinity. Global Perspectives. WJKP, 2007 (relevant sections).

McKim, D.K. The Bible in Theology & Preaching. Abingdon, 1985/Wipf & Stock, 1999.

Moltmann, J. The Trinity and the Kingdom: The Doctrine of God. SCM, 1991.

Murphy, N. Bodies and Souls, or Spirited Bodies? Cambridge University Press, 2006.

Pinnock, C. Most Moved Mover: A Theology of God's Openness. Baker, 2001.

Plantinga, A. Not the Way It's Supposed to Be: A Breviary of Sin. Eerdmans, 1996.

Schwarz, H. Creation. Eerdmans, 2002.

Shuster, M. The Fall and Sin: What We Have Become as Sinners. Eerdmans, 2003.

Volf, M. Exclusion and Embrace. Abingdon, 1996.

A contextual/intercultural/interreligious study (relevant sections) choose one:

Boff, L. Trinity and Society. Orbis, 1988.

Cone, J.H. God of the Oppressed. Orbis, 1997.

Evans, J. We Have Been Believers: An African American Systematic Theology. Fortress, 1992.

Gonzáles, J. Mañana: Christian Theology from a Hispanic Perspective. Abingdon, 1990.

Johnson, E. She Who Is: The Mystery of God in Feminist Theological Discourse. Continuum, 1992.

Kapolyo, J. M. The Human Condition: Christian Perspectives through African Eyes. IVP, 2005.

Kärkkäinen, V.-M. Trinity and Religious Pluralism. Ashgate, 2004.

McDermott, G. R. Can Evangelicals Learn from World Religions? InterVarsity Press, 2001.

Parratt, J. Reinventing Christianity: African Theology Today. Eerdmans, 1995.

Tennent, T.C. Christianity at the Religious Roundtable. Baker Academic, 2002.