Spring 2011/Pasadena
CH505
Thompson

CH505: POST-REFORMATION AND MODERN THEOLOGY. John L. Thompson.


DESCRIPTION: A survey of the major developments in theology since the Protestant Reformation, with emphases on English Puritanism, Protestant Orthodoxy, Pietism, Wesleyanism, and the dialogue with Enlightenment and post-Enlightenment thought from Schleiermacher through Barth, Vatican II, and the rise of contextual theologies worldwide.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: By introducing a significant body of theological and historical data, the course seeks to lead students to a broader perspective on their own ecclesiastical traditions, beliefs, and practices, as well as to a sympathetic appreciation for the unity and diversity of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church of which they are a part. Intensive work in primary sources will help students to acquire an improved facility in the analysis of theological arguments and an increased ability to articulate the meaning of the Christian faith in its historical development--skills that will also benefit the student's reading, understanding, and exposition of Scripture itself.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: First, students who pass this course will be able to demonstrate familiarity with central theological doctrines and developments in post-Reformation Protestantism and Roman Catholicism as well as with the cultural shifts provoked by the Enlightenment and its modern legacy (attained through readings and participation in lectures and small groups). Second, students will be able to demonstrate an ability to analyze and articulate the theological arguments of historical texts (attained through directed essays on selected primary sources and group discussions). Third, students will be able to demonstrate the ability to reflect theologically on the shaping of Christian identity, doctrine, and practice and on the implications for contemporary Christian diversity and pastoral ministry (attained through reflection and discussion in class and small groups).

COURSE FORMAT: Class will meet twice weekly in two-hour sessions for four hours of lecture per week, with occasional discussion sessions devoted to student papers as assigned (below).

REQUIRED READING:

Lane, Tony. A Concise History of Christian Thought. Rev. Ed. Baker, 2006. $28.00, ISBN: 0801031591 [~150 pp. assigned].

Lessing, Gotthold. Lessing's Theological Writings. Ed. Henry Chadwick. Stanford, 1956. $17.95, ISBN: 0804703353. [75 pp. assigned].

Assembled Readings, available online (includes excerpts from the Westminster Assembly, Arminius, John Wesley, Schleiermacher, Barth, the Second Vatican Council, and James Cone). [509 pp.].

Journal articles on contextual theologies (TBA), available online by week seven. [100 pp.].

RECOMMENDED READING:
Recommended works are listed in the full course syllabus (usually updated four weeks before the course begins), available online at http://documents.fuller.edu/sot/faculty/thompson_john.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
  1. Assigned readings (~850 pp.), to be completed as preparation for lectures and exam.

  2. Three 5-page short papers on primary source readings (each counts for 20% of course grade).

  3. Comprehensive final examination (40% of course grade).

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Church History "c" (CHC); does not meet all-seminary core for MA.

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (January 2011)