Summer 2014/Pasadena

ST503

Matei

ST503: SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY 3: ECCLESIOLOGY AND ESCHATOLOGY (4 Units: 120 hours). Eugen Matei.

DESCRIPTION: This course facilitates a systematic approach to two main theological loci in a classical systematic theology structure: ecclesiology and eschatology. The topics include the nature, life, and mission of the church, as well as various themes regarding the last things, such as death, resurrection, millennium, judgment, and the new creation.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students who complete this class successfully will have demonstrated (1) a basic understanding of the main theological concepts related to the studied topics; (2) an ability to reflect theologically upon the topics of the course and to express their view coherently in dialogue with other views; (3) a deeper perception and appreciation of the breadth and depth of the theological strands within the Christian tradition with specific reference to the studied topics; (4) an understanding and appreciation of the cultural and ecumenical diversity of the people of God.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet twice a week for five weeks in four-hour sessions for lectures and discussions.

REQUIRED READING:

Grenz, S.J. Theology for the Community of God. Eerdmans, 2000 (selections). ISBN: 978-0802847553, Pub. Price $40.00 [pp. 1-25 and 461-659].

Kärkkäinen, V.-M. An Introduction to Ecclesiology. InterVarsity Press, 2002. ISBN: 978-0830826889, Pub. Price $20.00 [238 pp.].

Schwartz, H. Eschatology. Eerdmans, 2000 (selections). ISBN: 978-0802847331, Pub. Price $26.00 [pp. 1-169 and 246-408].

Choose ONE book on a relevant topic:

Bauckham, R. & Hart, T. Hope Against Hope: Christian Eschatology at the Turn of the Millennium. Eerdmans, 1999. ISBN: 978-0802843913, Pub. Price $20.00 [247 pp.].

Braaten, C.E. & Jenson, R.W. eds. The Ecumenical Future. Eerdmans, 2004. ISBN: 978-0802826718, Pub. Price $24.00 [245 pp.].

Clouse, R.G., ed. The Meaning of Millennium: Four Views. InterVarsity Press, 1977. ISBN: 978-0877847946, Pub. Price $17.00 [224 pp.].

Frost, M. & Hirsch, A. The Shaping of Things to Come: Innovation and Mission for the 21st Century Church. Hendrickson, 2003. ISBN: 978-1565636590, Pub. Price $19.95 [256 pp.].

George, T. Pilgrims on the Sawdust Trail: Evangelical Ecumenism. Baker, 2004. ISBN: 978-0801027642, Pub. Price $19.99 [240 pp.].

Gibbs, E. & Bolger, R. K. Emerging Churches. Baker, 2006. ISBN: 978-0801027154, Pub. Price $19.99 [352 pp.].

Rausch, T. Towards a Truly Catholic Church: An Ecclesiology for the Third Millennium. Liturgical Press, 2005. ISBN: 978-0814651872, Pub. Price $24.95 [248 pp.].

Roxburgh, A. & Boren, S.M. Introducing the Missional Church: What It Is, Why It Matters, How to BecomeOne. Baker, 2009. ISBN: 978-0801072123, Pub. Price $17.99 [200 pp.].

Stackhouse, J.G., ed. Evangelical Ecclesiology: Reality or Illusion? Baker, 2003. ISBN: 978-0801026539, Pub. Price $24.00 [240 pp.].

Thomas, J.C. Toward a Pentecostal Ecclesiology: The Church and the Fivefold Gospel. CPT Press, 2010. ISBN: 978-1935931003, Pub. Price $17.99 [310 pp.].

Van Gelder, C. & Zscheile, D.J. The Missional Church in Perspective: Mapping Trends and Shaping the Conversation. Baker Acad., 2011. ISBN: 978-0801039133, Pub. Price $19.99 [208 pp.].

Volf, M. After Our Likeness: The Church as the Image of the Trinity. Eerdmans, 1998. ISBN: 978-0802844408, Pub. Price $34.00 [326 pp.].

Choose ONE contextual/intercultural book:

Barr, W. Constructive Christian Theology in the Worldwide Church. Eerdmans, 1997. ISBN: 978-0802841438, Pub. Price $10.50 [553 pp.]. ***OUT OF PRINT.

Boff, L. Ecclesiogenesis: The Base Communities Reinvent the Church. Orbis, 1986. ISBN: 978-0883442142, Pub. Price $22.00 [115 pp.].

Evans, J. We Have Been Believers: An African American Systematic Theology. Fortress, 1993. ISBN: 978-0800626723, Pub. Price $20.00 [192 pp.].

Fiorenza, E.S. Discipleship of Equals: Critical Feminist Ekklesia-logy of Liberation. Crossroad, 1993. ISBN: 978-0824512446, Pub. Price $29.95 [384 pp.].

González, J. Mañana: Christian Theology from a Hispanic Perspective. Abingdon, 1990. ISBN: 978-0687230679, Pub. Price $20.00 [184 pp.].

Parratt, J. Reinventing Christianity: African Theology Today. Eerdmans, 1995. ISBN: 978-0802841131, Pub. Price $21.00 [228 pp.].

Russell, L.M. Church in the Round: Feminist Interpretation of the Church. WJKP, 1993. ISBN: 978-0664250706, Pub. Price $29.95 [256 pp.].

Ward, P. Religion and Community. Oxford University Press, 2000. ISBN: 978-0198752592, Pub. Price $40.00 [376 pp.].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. One 12-page research paper (40%).

  2. 1,200 pages required reading, with two interactive reading reports, 3-page each (30%).

  3. Two multiple-choice quizzes (one on ecclesiology and one on eschatology) focusing on covered theological concepts (30%).

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

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

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.


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.

For your convenience, order these texts online through the Archives Bookshop.