DESCRIPTION:

This course is designed to provide a foundational understanding of Christian beliefs about ecclesiology and eschatology. The topics include the church, its nature as expressed in various ecclesial traditions, ministry and mission, sacraments/ordinances, as well as various approaches to the last things: parousia, death, resurrection, new creation, judgment, millennium, heaven and hell. On the basis of biblical and historical developments, a contemporary Evangelical theology will be construed 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. Optional: The class will meet once a week for a "Theological Coffee Hour" to facilitate informal theological discussion, sharing, and spiritual mentoring.

Bauckham, R., ed. God Will Be All in All: The Eschatology of Jürgen Moltmann. T&T Clark, 1999 (selected pages).

Grenz, S. J. The Millennial Maze. InterVarsity Press, 1995.

__________. Theology for the Community of God. Eerdmans, 2000 (selected pages).

Kärkkäinen, V.-M. An Introduction to Ecclesiology: Ecumenical, Historical & Global Perspectives. InterVarsity Press, 2002 (photocopy).

A contextual and/or intercultural text: choose one (sections relevant for the course):

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

__________. The Coming of God: Christian Eschatology. SCM Press, 1994.

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

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

Zizioulas, John. Being as Communion. St. Vladimir's Seminary 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 coursework 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).