DESCRIPTION:

This course is designed to provide a foundational understanding of Christian beliefs about revelation and Scripture, the triune God, creation and providence, human beings as the image of God, and the fall, evil, and sin. Corollary current issues, such as human beings as male and female, sexuality, race, suffering, ecology, and the relationship of science and theology will be approached from a theological perspective. On the basis of biblical and historical developments, a contemporary Evangelical theology will be constructed in dialogue with ecumenical and contextual/intercultural perspectives.

An essential part of preparation for Christian ministry is learning to think theologically through issues of faith and ministry. The student is encouraged to assess and (re-)affirm his/her spiritual and doctrinal heritage, develop his/her own theology and cultivate ecumenical and cultural sensitivity toward other traditions.

The class will meet twice weekly for two-hour sessions of lectures and discussions. Students may also participate in an optional weekly "Theological Coffee Hour" to facilitate informal theological discussion, sharing, and spiritual mentoring.

Berkhof, L. Systematic Theology. New ed. Eerdmans, 1996.

Grenz, S. J. Theology for the Community of God. Broadman & Holman, 1994.

Jewett, P. K. with M. Shuster. Who We Are: Our Dignity as Human. Eerdmans, 1996.

A Contextual and/or Intercultural study (choose one):

Barr, W. R. Constructive Christian Theology in the Worldwide Church. Eerdmans, 1997.

Elwood, J. E., ed. Asian Christian Theology: Emerging Themes. Westminster, 1980.

Evans, J. We Have Been Believers: An African American Systematic Theology. Fortress, 1992

Gonzáles, J. Mañana: Christian Theology from a Hispanic Perspective. Abingdon, 1990.

The student may also suggest his/her own choice for approval by the professor.

Albright, C. R. & J. Haugen, eds. God, Science and Wolfhart Pannenberg. Open Court, 1997.

Hick, J. Evil and the God of Love. 2nd ed. Macmillan, 1977.

Küng, H. Does God Exist? Vintage, 1981.

LaCugna, C. M. God For Us: The Trinity and the Christian Life. Fortress, 1992.

McKim, D. K. The Bible in Theology & Preaching. Abingdon, 1985.

Moltmann, J. The Trinity and the Kingdom. Harper & Row, 1981.

__________.God in Creation. Harper & Row, 1985.

Pannenberg, W. Systematic Theology. Vols. 1 & 2. Eerdmans, 1998, 1991. (Highly recommended; extremely demanding.)

Peters, T. God--the World's Future: Systematic Theology for a Postmodern Era. Fortress, 1992.

Peters, T., ed. Cosmos as Creation: Theology and Science in Consonance. Abingdon, 1989.

Tsirpanlis, C. N. Introduction to Eastern Patristic Thought and Orthodox Theology. The Liturgical Press, 1991.

(1) 1,000 pages of required reading. (2) Reading responses: 12-15 pages. (3) A research paper, 12-15 pages. (4) Final exam: topics will be given at the beginning of the course.

None.