Fall 2010/Pasadena
ST501
Ireland

ST501: SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY 1: THEOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY. Marèque Steele Ireland.

DESCRIPTION: This course provides a theological understanding of fundamental Christian beliefs, including the triune God, revelation, the nature and authority of Scripture, creation and providence; the human person, the Fall, and sin. The course will explore the interconnectedness of these beliefs, examine their historical and biblical foundations, and situate them in contemporary discussions. This will be done with an eye to constructing an Evangelical theology in dialogue with ecumenical, contextual and intercultural perspectives.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: A solid theological foundation that includes an understanding of the biblical, historical and contemporary contexts for Christian doctrines is essential for personal spiritual development and for the life of the Church.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have demonstrated

a basic understanding of issues in their historical and contemporary expressions;
an ability to reflect theologically and analytically upon the course topics;
skills towards developing their own theology in critical dialogue with various views;
a greater understanding of their own place in the global Christian community;
an acquaintance with a range of cultural and contextual matters that shape our understanding of theological issues;
an appreciation of ecumenical and cultural diversity of the Christian tradition.

COURSE FORMAT: This course meets twice weekly for two-hour sessions. Sessions will include lectures and discussions.

REQUIRED READING: 1,200 pages of required reading from the following;

: Grenz, S.J. Theology for the Community of God. Eerdmans, 2000, pp. 1-242. ISBN: 9780802847553. Pub. price: $40.00.; Kärkkäinen, V.-M. The Doctrine of God. Baker Academic, 2002. 301 pp. ISBN: 0801027527. Pub. price: $30.00.; Placher, W.C., ed. Essentials of Christian Theology. Westminster John Knox, 2003 (selected pages). ISBN: 978-0664223953. Pub. price: $39.95.; Selected Articles to be announced (all accessible through Fuller's Online Database)

Select one text on a special topic:

: Begbie, J. Resounding Truth: Christian Wisdom in the World of Music. Cambridge, 2007. 416 pp. ISBN: 9780801026959. Pub. price $26.99.; Fiddes, P. Participating in God: A Pastoral Doctrine of the Trinity. Westminster John Knox, 2001. 212 pp. ISBN: 9780664223359. Pub. price $29.95.; Fisher, Christopher. Human Significance in Theology and the Natural Sciences: An Ecumenical Perspective with Reference to Pannenberg, Rahner, and Zizioulas. Pickwick, 2010. ISBN: 9781606080535. 351 pp. Pub. price $40.00.; Gunton, Colin E. Act and Being: Towards a Theology of the Divine Attributes. Eerdmans, 2002. 176 pp. ISBN: 9780802826589. Pub. price $29.00.; Kärkkäinen, V.-M. The Trinity. Global Perspectives. Westminster John Knox, 2007 (relevant sections). ISBN: 9780664228903. Pub. price $39.95.; McFadyen, A. Bound by Sin: Abuse, Holocaust and the Christian Doctrine of Sin. Cambridge 2000. 272 pp. ISBN: 9780521438681. Pub. price $35.99.; McFadyen, A. Call to Personhood: A Christian Theory of the Individual in Social Relationships. Cambridge University Press, 1990. 340 pp. ISBN: 9780521409292. Pub. price $38.99.; Moltmann, J. The Trinity and the Kingdom: The Doctrine of God. SCM, 1991. 276 pp. ISBN: 9780800628253. Pub. price $23.00.; Murphy, N. Bodies and Souls or Spirited Bodies? Cambridge, 2006. 164 pp. ISBN: 9780521676762. Pub. price $25.99.; Pinnock, C. Most Moved Mover: A Theology of God's Openness. Baker, 2001. 218 pp. ISBN: 9780801022906. Pub. price $24.00.; Polkinhorne. J.C. Science and Providence: God's Interaction with the World. Templeton Press, 2005. 140 pp. ISBN: 9781932031928. Pub. price $14.95.; Volf, M. Exclusion and Embrace. Abingdon, 1996. 336 pp. ISBN: 9780687002825. Pub. price $28.00.; Zizioulas, John. Being as Communion: Studies in Personhood and the Church. St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, 1997. 269 pp. ISBN: 9780881410297. Pub. price $22.00.

Select one text on an intercultural or interreligious topic:

: Barnes, M. Theology and the Dialogue of Religions. Cambridge, 2002. 292 pp. ISBN: 9780521009089. Pub. price $43.00.; Boff, L. Trinity and Society. Orbis, 1988. 288 pp. ISBN: 9781597521383. Pub. price $30.00.; Cone, J.H. God of the Oppressed. Orbis, 1997. 257 pp. ISBN: 9781570751585. Pub. price $20.00.; Evans, J. We Have Been Believers: An African American Systematic Theology. Fortress, 1992. 192 pp. ISBN: 9780800626723. Pub. price $20.00.; Gonzáles, J. Mañana: Christian Theology from a Hispanic Perspective. Abingdon, 1990. 186 pp. ISBN: 9780687230679. Pub. price $20.00.; Johnson, E. She Who Is: The Mystery of God in Feminist Theological Discourse. Continuum, 1992. 344 pp. ISBN: 9780824519254. Pub. price $29.95.; Kärkkäinen, V.-M. Trinity and Religious Pluralism. Ashgate, 2004. 197 pp. ISBN: 978-754636465. Pub. price $29.95.; Kapolyo, J. M. The Human Condition: Christian Perspectives through African Eyes. InterVarsity Press, 2005. 170 pp. ISBN: 978-0830833023. Pub. price $16.00.; Kimmel, A.F., Jr., ed. Speaking the Christian God: The Holy Trinity and the Challenge of Feminism. Eerdmans, 1992. 348 pp. ISBN: 9780802806123. Pub. price $32.00.; McDermott, G. R. Can Evangelicals Learn from World Religions? InterVarsity Press, 2001.233 pp. ISBN: 9780830822744. Pub. price $18.00.; Parratt, J. Reinventing Christianity: African Theology Today. Eerdmans, 1995.228 pp. ISBN: 9780802841131. Pub. price $21.00.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: (1) Required reading of 1,200 pages and critical reading response, 13-14 pages (40%); theological reflection paper, 7-8 pages (20%); research paper, 10-12 pages (40%)

PREREQUISITES: None. However, at least one course in biblical studies and in historical theology/church history, as well as philosophical theology, are highly recommended.

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

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (Revised August 17, 2010)