ST572
Anderson
ST572: BONHOEFFER: LIFE AND THOUGHT. Ray S. Anderson.
DESCRIPTION:
- This course is designed to acquaint the student with the life and
thought of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Bonhoeffer's basic writings will be studied in
connection with three stages of his life. The political and ecclesiastical
factors which served as context for his life will be considered along with the
development of his own theological insights. We will make a critical
assessment of Bonhoeffer's thought and evaluate contributions which he has made
to contemporary theology and Christian faith.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- Students will be enabled to develop a critical theological basis
for addressing ethical issues such as advocacy for the oppressed, Christian
discipleship in the secular sphere, and the church's ministry to the
marginalized in society through this course.
COURSE FORMAT:
- The class will meet for four hours each morning for two weeks.
Class sessions will be devoted to lecture and discussion.
REQUIRED READING:
- Approximately 1,500 pages of reading will be required for A grading
track, with 1,000 pages for B grading track, from the following texts:
- Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. The Cost of Discipleship. Simon and Schuster,
1995.
- __________. Ethics. Simon and Schuster, 1995.
- __________. Christ the Center. Harper & Row, 1978.
- __________. Letters and Papers from Prison. Macmillan, 1972.
- DeGruchy, John. Dietrich Bonhoeffer--Witness to Jesus Christ.
Collins, 1988.
- Wind, Renate. A Spoke in the Wheel--The Life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
Eerdmans, 1992.
- An additional collateral reading list will be provided in the
course syllabus.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- There will be no quizzes or examinations. Students may select
either A level grading track or B level track. Those who select A level track
will be required to turn in a reading journal and write an essay dealing with
some aspect of Bonhoeffer's life and thought. The reading journal will cover
the required reading and is to be no more than twenty pages in length.
Students who select B level grading track are only required to turn in the
essay.
- The essay must be typed, double-spaced, and twelve to fifteen pages
in length. It can deal with any subject of the student's choice within the
purpose of the course. It will be due on Friday, August 14th, 5:00 p.m. Those
on A level grading track must also turn in the reading journal along with the
essay. For these students, the grade for the course will be determined by an
evaluation of the reading journal as well as the essay.
PREREQUISITES:
- None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
- Elective.
FINAL EXAMINATION:
- None.