DESCRIPTION:

This course is designed to provide a foundational understanding of Christian beliefs about ecclesiology and eschatology. The topics include the church and its nature as expressed in various ecclesial traditions, ministry and mission, sacraments/ordinances; as well as various approaches to the last things: the parousia, death, resurrection, the new creation, judgment, the millennium, heaven and hell. 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 to learn 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.

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

Clowney, E.P. The Church. InterVarsityPress,1995.

Bauckman, R. God Will Be All in All: The Eschatology of Jürgen Moltmann. T&T Clark, 1999.

Grenz, S.J. The Millenial Maze. InterVarsityPress, 1995.

A contextual and/or intercultural study (relevant sections) choose one:

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

Elwood, D. J., 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 to be accepted by the professor.

Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry. Faith and Order Paper No. 111. WCC, 1982

Küng, Hans. The Church. Burns & Oates, 1968.

Lumen Gentium. Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (Vatican Council II).

Moltmann, Jurgen. The Church in the Power of the Spirit. SCM Press, 1977.

_______________. The Coming of God: Christian Eschatology. SCM Press, 1974.

Pannenberg, W. Systematic Theology, vol. 3. Eerdmans, 1993.

Schwarz, H. Eschatology. Eerdmans, 2000.

Volf, M. After Our Likeness: The Church as the Image of God. Eerdmans, 1998.

Zizioulas, John. Being as Communion. St. Vladimir's Press, 1985.

(1) 1,000 pages of required reading. (2) Reading responses: about 15 pages. (3) A research paper, 10 pages. (4) Final exam: topics will be given in the beginning of the course.

None. (For those with no or limited course work in theology, it is highly recommended that a student prepare by reading A. McGrath. Christian Theology. An Introduction. Blackwell, 1994.)

Meets M.Div. core requirement in Systematic Theology "C" (STC).