DESCRIPTION:

This course is designed to provide a foundational understanding of Christian beliefs about Christ, salvation, and the Holy Spirit. Topics include biblical and historical developments of Christological traditions, their contemporary and contextual varieties, various approaches to election, atonement and salvation, healing, and the person and work of the Spirit. 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 weekly for a three-hour session of lectures and discussions. Students may also participate in an optional weekly "Theological Coffee Hour" to facilitate informal theological discussion, sharing, and spiritual mentoring.

Blue, Ken. Authority to Heal. InterVarsity Press, 1987.

Erickson, M. J. The Word Became Flesh. Baker, 1991, pp. 1-379.

Grenz, S. J. Theology for the Community of God. Eerdmans, 2000, pp. 243-460.

Kärkkäinen, Veli-Matti. Pneumatology: An Introduction (photocopy; selected pages).

Choose one contextual/intercultural text from below or of the student's choice (with approval):

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

Dickson, Kwesi. Theology in Africa. Orbis, 1984.

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.

*Pope-Levison, P. and Levison, J. R. Jesus in Global Contexts. Westminster, 1992. (special rec.)

Gunton, C. E. The Articulation of Atonement. Eerdmans, 1989.

Kraus, N. C. Jesus Christ Our Lord: Christology from a Disciple's Perspective. Herald Press, 1990.

McGrath, A. The Making of Modern German Christology. Blackwell, 1986.

Moltmann, Jürgen. The Way of Jesus Christ. Harper & Row, 1990.

__________. The Spirit of Life: A Universal Affirmation. Fortress Press, 1992.

Pannenberg, W. Systematic Theology. Vol. 2. Eerdmans, 1991.

Pinnock, C. A Flame of Love: A Theology of the Holy Spirit. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1993.

Samuel, V. and Sugden, C., eds. Sharing Jesus in the Two Thirds World. Eerdmans, 1983.

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: 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).