Course Syllabus

Paper Guidelines

Discussion Guidelines

Course Description:

This introduction to Christian theology will focus on systematic theology, that is, what are the traditional loci (topics or rubrics) that form a complete theological system, how do they fit together, and how does thinking them as a system influence theological thinking? We will look at how the Christian theological tradition provides resources for contemporary theology. As examples we will take a close look at the locus of Christology.

Professional Degree Learning Goals for Constructive Theology Area:

Constructive Theology (TH): critically engage historical and contemporary theological expressions of religious traditions and articulate one's own constructive theological position in relation to contemporary events and/or situations.

Learning Outcomes:

After taking this class, students will be able to:

1. Say, with authenticity, “Wow. I read, engaged, and analyzed some really interesting authors. Some were fun, some were a slog, but they pushed me to think and respond in ways I hadn’t yet.”
2. Articulate what some of the theological genres are that writers in the Christian tradition have developed.
3. Articulate what systematic theology is.
4. Speak knowledgably about some of the touchstones in the history of Christian thought in general and on Christology in particular.
5. Demonstrate awareness of what the traditional theological loci are (and say what a theological locus is), and see how the loci hang together.
6. Write academic papers with increased ability to formulate a claim and support it with apt textual evidence.

Readings:

The following books are for purchase:

James Cone, The Cross and the Lynching Tree

Anne Joh, Heart of the Cross

B. A. Gerrish, Christian Faith: Dogmatics in Outline

Further readings will be provided via Canvas