DESCRIPTION:

This course, taught in Korean, will introduce a systematic understanding of Christian beliefs about God and humankind, with doctrinal discussions on the person and work of God including the existence and attributes of God, the Trinity, creation and providence, the nature and constitution of humankind, the image of God in man and woman, as well as the sinful reality of humanity resulting from the Fall. The course will address matters of theological prolegomena that examine theological methodologies and norms with discussions on revelation and Scripture. This doctrinal study will be applied especially to the Korean context in some related contemporary issues.

This course will equip students to teach and preach to the church in the contemporary world with a systematic understanding of Christian beliefs, as well as to respond to contemporary issues responsibly with a comprehensive and doctrinal perspective.

The course will meet twice a week for two-hour sessions of lecture and discussion for ten weeks.

1. One of the following books:

Berkhof, Louis. Introduction to Systematic Theology. Baker reprint; or Systematic Theology. Eerdmans, 1941, pp. 1-301; or Korean translation by Sookyung Kwon & Sangwon Lee, Vol. 1. Christian Digest, 1991.

Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology. InterVarsity Press/Zondervan, 1994, pp. 1-525; or Korean translation by Jinjoon Noh, Vol. 1. Eunsung, 1997.

Heppe, Heinrich. Reformed Dogmatics. Baker reprint, pp. 1-370; or Korean translation by Jung S. Rhee, Vol. 1. Christian Digest, 2000.

2. One of the following books:

Bloesch, D. G. Holy Scripture: Revelation, Inspiration & Interpretation. InterVarsity, 1994.

Hoekema, Anthony A. Created in God's Image. Eerdmans, 1986.

Jewett, Paul K. & Marguerite Shuster. Who We Are: Our Dignity as Human. Eerdmans, 1996.

Plantinga, Cornelius, Jr. Not the Way It's Supposed to Be: A Breviary of Sin. Eerdmans, 1995.

3. One of the following books:

Griffin, David Ray. God & Religion in the Postmodern World: Essays in Postmodern Theology. SUNY, 1989.

Pinnock, Clark, et al. The Openness of God: A Biblical Challenge to the Traditional Understanding of God. InterVarsity Press, 1994.

Barth, Karl. Church Dogmatics, I/1. Trans. G. W. Bromiley. T. & T. Clark, 1975.

Goldingay, John. Models for Scripture. Eerdmans, 1994.

Korean Society of Oriental Philosophy, ed. Ontology and Anthropology of Oriental Philosophy. Yonsei University Press, 1982.

Murray, John Courtney. The Problem of God. Yale University Press, 1964.

Niebuhr, Reinhold. Moral Man and Immoral Society. Scribner's, 1960.

(A) A written response of 5 or more pages each for category (2) and (3) of required reading. (B) A 10-page research paper in the areas of prolegomena, theology proper and anthropology, which reflects contemporary theological discussions and Korean thought. (C) Final examination.