Fall 2014/Pasadena

TC549

Johnston

TC549: A THEOLOGY OF GENERAL REVELATION (4 Units: 160 Hours). Robert Johnston.

DESCRIPTION: This doctoral seminar, also open to a limited number of advanced master’s level students, is designed to investigate and discuss biblically, traditionally, culturally and constructively a theology of general revelation. After considering the aesthetic impulse, the religious impulse, and the moral impulse, the class will then turn to a phenomenological description as well as to liberal Protestant, Reformed and Roman Catholic approaches to the topic. The course will conclude by considering the usefulness of pneumatology and of wisdom as possible constructs for a theology of general revelation. Each week, the course will also consider relevant biblical texts.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have demonstrated their ability with regard to general revelation to (1) use a wide range of biblical resource; (2) offer a reasoned response to a range of theological proposals, noting both contributions and liabilities; (3) identify key methodological choices and agendas present in current theological discussion on the topic; and (4) engage in constructive theology making use of scripture, tradition, experience, and current cultural perspectives.

COURSE FORMAT: This class meets once per week for three-hour sessions for a total of 30 hours of classroom instruction for lecture and discussion plus 10 hours of directed learning activities for a total of 40 instructional hours. Immediately after registration, the student should contact the professor for the syllabus and pre-seminar assignments. (johnston@fuller.edu).

REQUIRED READING: 1,550 pp. required.

Johnson, Elizabeth. She Who Is. Crossroad, 1992. ISBN: 978-0824513764, Pub. Price $29.95 [184 pp.].

Johnston, Robert. God’s Wider Presence. Baker Academic, 2014. ISBN: 978-0801049453, Pub. Price $19.25 [221 pp.].

Lewis, C. S. Mere Christianity. HarperOne, 1980 [1952]. ISBN: 978-0060652920, Pub. Price $14.99 [45 pp.].

________. Surprised by Joy. Harcourt, 1955. ISBN: 978-0156870115, Pub. Price $13.95 [116 pp.].

Moltmann, J. Life in the Spirit. Fortress Press, 1992. ISBN: 978-0800634247, Pub. Price $27.00 [82 pp.].

Mouw, R. He Shines in All That’s Fair. Eerdmans, 2001. ISBN: 978-0802821119, Pub. Price $14.00 [101 pp.].

Rudolph, Otto. The Idea of the Holy. Oxford University, 1958. ISBN: 978-0195002102, Pub. Price $15.50 [144 pp.].

Wright, N. T. Simply Christian. Harper, 2006. ISBN: 978-0061920622, Pub. Price $24.99 [48 pp.].

Yong, Amos. Beyond the Impasse. Baker, 2003. ISBN: 978-0801026126, ***OUT OF PRINT [115 pp.].

Reader of articles and selections (Lewis, Hopkins, Updike, Pinnock, Schleiermacher, Barth, Tillich, Bavinck, Moltmann, Dabney, Pannenberg, Schwarz, Rowell and Hall) plus readings from biblical texts. [494 pp.].

Readings, including recommended, will be put on reserve when possible.

Additional reading for PhD students only:

Greeley, Andrew. The Catholic Imagination. University of California, 2000. ISBN: 978-0520232044, Pub. Price $24.26 [213 pp.].

Johnson, Elizabeth. Women, Earth, and Creator Spirit. Paulist, 1993. ISBN: 978-0809134151, $7.95 [68 pp.].

Peace, Richard. Noticing God. IVP, 2012. ISBN: 978-0830838219, Pub. Price $12.50 [189 pp.].

Reader:

Barth, Karl. “Evangelical Theology in the 19^th Century,” chapter one of The Humanity of God. Westminster/John Knox, 1996.

Steiner, George. “Presences,” section 3 of Real Presences. University of Chicago, 1989. 137-232.

Library Reserve:

Kung, Hans. Mozart: Traces of Transcendence. Eerdmans, 1991. Pg. 1-69. (library reserve).

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. Two 3-5 pp. critical reviews and sets of questions on two sets of the required readings/authors and present a ten minute lecture and lead discussions on those days concerning the readings and their relevance, or lack thereof, for a theology of general revelation (masters students will turn in one set of questions and co-lead one presentation) [10 hours, addressing L.O’s 2,3,4. Note these 10 hours are DLA’s]

2. 1,550 pp. of required reading [78 hours].

3. Research history of interpretation on one set of biblical texts and present findings and potential relevance for a theology of general revelation [L.O. 1] [4 hours].

4. All students will be required to write an 18-20 page paper due at the end of exam week. [38 hours, addressing L.O.’s 1,2,3,4].

PREREQUISITES: For master’s level students: written (email) permission of the professor.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective for master’s students. Option to count in the Theology and Arts emphasis, Worship and Music Ministry emphasis, and Worship, Theology and the Arts emphasis.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.