DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to provide a foundational understanding
of Christian beliefs about revelation and Scripture; the triune God; creation
and providence; human beings as the image of God; and the Fall, evil, and sin.
Corollary current issues, such as Latino/a theological anthropology, human
beings as male and female, ecology, and the relationship of Christian tradition
to emerging religiosities will be discussed. On the basis of biblical and
socio-historical developments, a contemporary Evangelical-Latino/a theology
will be constructed in dialogue with ecumenical, contextual-intracultural, and
traditional spiritualities.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Christianity, as experienced and expressed
within the religious geography of Latino/a communities, is multicontextual,
multicultural, economically and socially challenging, in constant growth, and
popular in character. Naturally then a sound biblico-doctrinal formation
informed by traditional and contextual theological views and endowed by a
domestic spirituality are vital for any ministry worker interested in impacting
these communities and their greater contexts.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have demonstrated (1)
a foundational knowledge of the central doctrines of Christianity,
particularly: revelation and Scripture; the Trinity; creation and providence;
the image of God in humanity; the Fall, evil, and sin; (2) an understanding of
the interrelated character of these doctrines as experienced and expressed
within Latino/a religious communities; (3) an acquaintance with an ecumenical
environment disclosing a range of cultural and historical variations informing
a diverse and yet common ground for the practice of these Christian beliefs;
(4) an ability to reflect theologically upon contemporary and
controversial themes, particularly, human sexuality, ecology, and emerging
cultures; (5) an integrated experience where doctrine and spiritual practices
forge a domestic-based spirituality for Latino/a ministry.
COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet twice weekly for two-hour sessions. Students
are expected to study beforehand the required readings for the week and take
part in assigned presentations.
REQUIRED READING:
Barth, Karl. Esbozo de Dogmática. Sal Terrae, 2000. ISBN:
8429313761 9788429313765. (77 pgs). (Prices unavailable at this time.)
Canobbio, Giacomo. Pequeño diccionario de teología.
Sígueme, 1996. ISBN: 8430111964 (pbk.) 9788430111961 (pbk.) (100
pgs).
González, Justo L. Retorno a la historia del pensamiento
cristiano. Kairos, 2009. ISBN: 9879403703 9789879403709. (207 pgs).
Foster, Richard, and James B. Smith., eds. Devocionales clásicos.
Mundo Hispano, 2004. ISBN: 0311400698 (pbk.) 9780311400690 (pbk.) (60 pgs).
Course Reader (450 pgs).
RECOMMENDED READING: