Summer 2013/Pasadena

ST502

Matei

ST502: SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY 2: CHRISTOLOGY AND SOTERIOLOGY. Eugen Matei.

DESCRIPTION: This course provides an overview of the Christian beliefs about Christ, the Spirit, and the Christian experience of salvation. These topics will be considered in the context of a Trinitarian theology articulated in a systematic framework, in dialogue with contemporary ecumenical and contextual/intercultural perspectives.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Participants will be stimulated to develop an ability to think theologically that will prepare them to address issues they encounter in their ministry in light of the Bible and of the far-reaching theological wisdom of the church.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: This course is designed to help students acquire (1) a basic understanding of the issues in their contemporary expressions and how historical developments have led to the current approach; (2) skills towards developing a personal theology in dialogue with various views and the practices of the church; (3) an ability to recognize the implications of the Christian faith for the broader ecumenical, cultural and religious diversity, and engage positions other than their own in a constructive manner.

COURSE FORMAT: This class is a five-week course, meeting for four-hour sessions, twice a week. Class sessions will be devoted to lectures and discussions.

REQUIRED READING:

Foundational texts (all three required):

Grenz, S.J. Theology for the Community of God. Eerdmans, 2000. ISBN: 978-0802847553, Pub. Price $42.00 [213 assigned].

Bloesch, D. Jesus Christ: Savior & Lord. InterVarsity Press, 1997. ISBN: 978-0830827541, Pub. Price $20.00 [304 pp.].

Kärkkäinen V-M. Pnemuatology: The Holy Spirit in International, Ecumenical and Historical Perspective. Baker Academic, 2002. ISBN: 978-0801024481, Pub. Price: $26.00 [208pp.].

Topical texts (Choose one. Critical book review required):

Bauckham, Richard. Jesus and the God of Israel: God Crucified and Other Studies on the New Testament's Christology of Divine Identity. Eerdmans, 2009. ISBN: 978-0802845597, Pub. Price $36.00.

Beilby, J. and Eddy, B.R. The Nature of the Atonement: Four Views. InterVarsity Press, 2006. ISBN: 978-0830825707, Pub. Price $16.00.

Boersma, H. Violence, Hospitality, and the Cross: Reappropriating the Atonement Tradition. Baker Academic, 2004. ISBN: 978-0801031335, Pub. Price $28.00.

Collins, Paul M. Partaking in Divine Nature: Deification and Communion. T&T Clark International, 2010. ISBN: 978-0567262967, Pub. Price $39.95.

Green, J.B. and Baker, M.D. Recovering the Scandal of the Cross. InterVarsity Press, 2000. ISBN: 978-0830815715, Pub. Price $17.60.

Pinnock, C.H. Flame of Love: A Theology of the Holy Spirit. InterVarsity Press, 1996. ISBN: 978-0830815906, Pub. Price $19.20.

Shults, F.L. & Sandage, S.J. The Faces of Forgiveness: Searching for Wholeness and Salvation. Baker Academic, 2003. ISBN: 978-0801026249, Pub. Price $26.00.

OR chose another text and obtain instructor’s approval.

Intercultural or interreligious text (Chose one. Critical book review required):

Chung, S. W., ed. Christ the One and Only. Baker Academic, 2005. ISBN: 978-0801028540, Pub. Price $28.00.

Comblin, J. The Holy Spirit and Liberation. Wipf & Stock, 2004. ISBN: 978-1592445622, Pub. Price $20.80.

Cone, J.H. A Black Theology of Liberation. 2nd ed. Orbis, 1986. ISBN: 978-0883446850, Pub Price $20.00.

Parsons, S.F., ed. The Cambridge Companion to Feminist Theology. Cambridge University Press, 2002. ISBN: 978-0521663809, Pub. Price $34.99.

Ramachandra, V. The Recovery of Mission: Beyond the Pluralist Paradigm. Wipf & Stock, 2002. ISBN: 978-1592440641, Pub. Price: $24.80.

Tiessen,T. L. Who Can Be Saved? Reassessing Salvation in Christ & World Religions. IVP, 2004. ISBN: 978-0830827473, Pub. Price $22.00.

Küster, Volker. The Many Faces of Jesus: An Intercultural Christology. Orbis Books, 2001. ISBN: 978-1570753541, Pub. Price: $29.00.

OR chose another text and obtain instructor’s approval.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

(1) 1200 pages of reading, with two 4-5 pages interactive book reviews (15% each book review, 30% total).

(2) Take home final exam (35%).

(3) One 12-page final paper (35%).

PREREQUISITES: None, although it is strongly recommended to have at least one course in biblical studies, church history/historical theology and philosophical theology.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Systematic Theology “B” (STB).

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes, take home exam.

NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. Textbook prices are set by publishers and are subject to change.