Fall 2010/Pasadena
ST501
García-Johnson

ST501: TEOLOGÍA SISTEMÁTICA I: TEOLOGÍA Y ANTROPOLOGÍA. Oscar García-Johnson.


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:

González, Justo L. Breve historia de las doctrinas cristianas. Abingdon, 2007. ISBN: 9780687490905 ($20).

Horton, Stanley. Teología Sistemática. Vida, 1996. ISBN: 9780829721454 ($25.99).

Pedraja, Luis. Teología: An introduction to Hispanic theology. Abingdon, 2003. ISBN: 9780687090648 ($22).

Zaldívar, Raúl. Teología Sistemática desde una perspectiva latinoamericana. Clie, 2006. ISBN: 9788482674681 (19.99).

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: (1) Students are expected to have studied the reading assignment for the week in its entirety. (2) students will prepare 4 two-page critical-reaction paper based on the reading (20%). (3) Each week students will reflect upon a devotional classic and keep a journal (10%). (4) A midterm exam on theological concepts (15%). (5) A Personal Creedal Document (of doctrines discussed in this course), 8-10 pages (40%). (6) A Final [case study] Exam (15%).

PREREQUISITES: Spanish.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Systematic Theology "a" (STA); meets program requirement for MATM or MAT (effective Winter 2010).

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.