DESCRIPTION: This course in an introduction to the doctrines of ecclesiology and eschatology, including the topics of worship, sacraments, death, resurrection, judgment, heaven and hell, and the nature and life of the church. The course is intended to provide students with the resources for developing their own understanding about these areas of Christian theology.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: A thoughtful understanding of the life and worship of the church is important to Christian ministry and will influence what is preached and taught. Therefore it is essential for students to begin forming a framework from which they will carry out their ministries as well as live their Christian lives. Students are encouraged to consider their own faith traditions in dialogue with others who may be from a different spiritual heritage.

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: The class will meet daily for four-hour sessions for two weeks. Class time will be divided among lectures, discussion, and student presentations.

REQUIRED READING:

Grenz, Stanley J. Theology for the Community of God. Eerdmans, 2000 (relevant sections). ISBN: 1573831603.

Kärkkäinen, Veli-Matti. An Introduction to Ecclesiology. InterVarsity Press, 2002. ISBN: 0830826882.

Bauckham, R. & T. Hart. Hope Against Hope. Eerdmans, 1999. ISBN: 0802843913.

A text on a special topic: choose one:

Braaten, C.E. & Jenson, R.W. The Ecumenical Future. Eerdmans, 2004.

Farrow, Douglas. Ascension and Ecclesia. Eerdmans, 1999.

Fudge, E.W. & R.A. Peterson. Two Views of Hell. InterVarsity Press, 2000.

Gelder, C. van, ed. Confident Witness. (Gospel and Culture Series.) Eerdmans, 1999.

Grenz, S.J. The Millennial Maze. InterVarsity Press, 1994. ISBN: 0830817573.

George, T. Pilgrims on the Sawdust Trail: Evangelical Ecumenism. Baker, 2004.

Hauerwas, S. & Willimon, W.H. Resident Aliens: Life in the Christian Colony. Abingdon, 1989. ISBN: 0687361591.

Gibbs, E. & Bolger, R.K. Emerging Churches. Baker 2006.

Kärkkäinen, V.-M. Toward a Pneumatological Theology. Ed. Amos Yong. UPA, 2002.

Moltmann, Jürgen. The Church in the Power of the Spirit. SCM Press, 1977.

__________. The Coming of God: Christian Eschatology. Fortress, 1996. ISBN: 0800629582.

Newbigin, L. The Gospel in a Pluralistic Society. Eerdmans, 1989. ISBN: 0802804268.

Schwartz, H. Eschatology. Eerdmans, 2000. ISBN: 0802847331.

Stackhouse, J.G. ed. Evangelical Ecclesiology: Reality or Illusion? Baker 2003.

Volf, M. After Our Likeness: The Church as the Image of God. Eerdmans, 1998. ISBN: 0802844405

A contextual and/or intercultural text (sections relevant for the course): choose one:

Anderson, A. African Reformation: African Initiated Christianity in the Twentieth Century. Africa World Press, 2000. ISBN: 0865438846.

Barr, W.R. Constructive Christian Theology in the Worldwide Church. Eerdmans, 1997. ISBN: 0802841430.

Boff, L. Ecclesiogenesis: The Base Communities Reinvent the Church. Orbis, 1986. ISBN: 0883442140.

Evans, J. We Have Been Believers: An African American Systematic Theology. Fortress, 1992. ISBN: 0800626729.

Farley, M. & S. Jones, eds. Liberating Eschatology: Essays in Honor of Letty M. Russell. Westminster John Knox, 1999. ISBN: 0664257887.

González, J. Mañana: Christian Theology from a Hispanic Perspective. Abingdon, 1990. ISBN: 0687230675.

Mbiti, J. New Testament Eschatology in an African Background. Oxford University Press, 1971.

Oduyoye, M.A. & M. Kanyoro, eds. The Will to Arise: Women, Tradition, and the Church in Africa. Orbis, 1988.

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

Parsons, S.F., ed. The Cambridge Companion to Feminist Theology. Cambridge University Press, 2002. ISBN: 0521663806

Russell, L.M. Church in the Round: Feminist Interpretation of the Church. Westminster John Knox, 1993. ISBN: 066425070X

Schüssler Fiorenza, E. Discipleship of Equals: Critical Feminist Ekklesia-logy of Liberation. Crossroad, 1993.