DESCRIPTION: This doctoral seminar, open to limited number of advanced master's level students, is designed to study theologies of the Holy Spirit at the ecumenical and international level. The course offers a critical study of the doctrine of the Spirit from some leading theologians--Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant, including evangelicals--as well as pneumatologies of Pentecostal/charismatic movements. Furthermore, Feminist, Liberationist, "Green," and political views of the Spirit as well as emerging pneumatologies from Africa, Asia, and Latin America will be carefully assessed.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Alongside ecclesiology and the doctrine of the Trinity, Pneumatology has risen to the center of interest in current theology. The study of and reflection on the Spirit of God will turn out to be an academically enriching and spiritually refreshing experience.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have demonstrated their ability to (1) understand key developments and topics in pneumatology; (2) analyze critically main contributions and challenges of the doctrine of the Spirit; (3) reflect on the significance of pneumatology to Christian theology and faith; and (4) begin to develop their own theology of the Spirit.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet once a week for a three-hour session for student presentations and critical discussion. Immediately after registration, the student must contact the professor for the syllabus and pre-seminar assignments (vmk@fuller.edu).

REQUIRED READING:

Kärkkäinen, V.-M., ed. "Holy Spirit in Orthodox and Catholic Traditions" (available in bookstore).

Kim, K. The Holy Spirit in the World. A Global Conversation. SPCK/Orbis, 2007.

Moltmann, J. The Spirit of Life: A Universal Affirmation. Fortress, 1993

Pannenberg, W. Toward a Theology of Nature: Essays on Science and Faith. Ed. T. Peters. WJKP, 1993.

Pinnock, C. Flame of Love. A Theology of the Holy Spirit. InterVarsity Press, 1993

Yong, A. The Spirit Poured Out on All Flesh: Pentecostalism and the Possibility of Global Theology. Baker, 2005. OR Macchia, F. Baptized in the Spirit: A Global Pentecostal Theology. Zondervan, 2006

Choose one:

Gomblin, J. The Holy Spirit and Liberation. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1989

Johnson, E. Women, Earth, and Creator Spirit. Mahwah, NY: Paulist Press, 1993

Muller-Fahrenholz, G. God's Spirit: Transforming a World in Crisis. Continuum, 1995.

Wallace, M. Fragments of the Spirit: Nature, Violence, and the Renewal of Creation. Continuum, 1996

The following works will be consulted for class presentations (library reserve-shelf):

Bloesch, D. The Holy Spirit: Works & Gifts. InterVarsity Press, 2000.

Button Prichard, R. Sensing the Spirit: The Holy Spirit in Feminist Perspective. Chalice, 1999.

Congar, Yves I Believe in the Holy Spirit. Herder, 1997.

Kärkkäinen, V.-M. Holy Spirit: The Westminster Collection of Sources of Christian Theology. Ed. T. George et al. Westminster John Knox, 2009.

Pannenberg, W. Systematic Theology. 3 vols. 1. Eerdmans, 1991, 1994, 1997.

Victorin-Vangerud, N. The Raging Hearth: Spirit in the Household of God. Chalice, 2000.

Volf, M. Work in the Spirit. Toward a Theology of Work. Oxford University Press, 1991.

Welker, M. God the Spirit. Fortress, 1993.