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Canyon College

online theology course at Canyon College

COURSE SYLLABUS: Introduction to Theology

Course Title: Introduction to Theology - TH330
Department: Bachelor of Theology
Instructor: Dona Williams, MTh, BS, E-Mail Vita
Prerequisites: Survey of the Bible or an equivalent course.


PURPOSE OF THE COURSE

This course seeks to introduce students into the study of theology as an activity undertaken by those who seek to explain God’s activity in history. Students should be able to understand that theology has been historically associated with Christianity as it has attempted to explain God’s acting through Jesus Christ. Consequently, our short hand definition of theology is that quoted by a well-known professor who said that theology "Is learning to say the least wrong thing about God." David H. Kelsey defines theology as, "Theology is an activity of the Christian community in which it reflects self-critically on its current forms of speech and action to see if it is being faithful to the gifts and tasks God has given to it, that is, to its own identity."

By the conclusion of our journey through the readings and discussions of this course, students should have an understanding of several approaches to theology, the content of theology, and should be able to articulate their individual beliefs using the language of theology.

INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE
Students should strive to use inclusive language in their writings. By inclusive language is meant language that is not gender specific and which attempts to include as many people as possible. For instance, instead of writing that "God wills that every man obeys His will," inclusive language would suggest that we write, "God wills that everyone obeys God’s will."

REQUIREMENTS
  1. Readings. The required texts are: Online Book Store
A. Chopp & Davney, Horizons In Feminist Theology: Identity, Tradition, and Norms. Fortress Press, 1997, softcover. ISBN: 0800629965. ("Chopp & Davaney")

B. Evans, James H., Jr., We Have Been Believers: An African-American Systematic Theology, 2d ed. Fortress Press, 2003, softcover. ISBN: 0800626729. ("Evans")

C. McGrath, Alister, A Christian Theology Reader, 2nd ed., Blackwell, 2001, softcover, ISBN: 063120637X. ("McGrath Reader")

D. McGrath, Alister E., Christian Theology: An Introduction, 3rd ed., Blackwell, 2001, soft-cover, ISBN: 0631198490. ("McGrath Theology")

E. Stone, Howard W. And James O. Duke, How To Think Theologically. Fortress Press, 1996, softcover, ISBN: 0800629671. ("Stone & Duke")
  1. Conferences. Students may schedule up to two conferences with the professor during the course. Students desiring to schedule a conference should email the professor and provide a general description of the matter(s) to be discussed. Of course, students may ask questions of the professor at any time by sending an E-mail to the address at the link above or by posting them to the bulletin board.
  1. Exams. There will be one exam, which will be a comprehensive midterm examination. The exam will cover the assigned readings and the conferences and should be taken during the ninth week of study.
  1. Papers. There will be a short paper of no more than two single-spaced pages or 1,250 words, due at the end of each week’s readings in which students will answer the discussion questions and give a reaction to their readings; and, a final paper due at the end of the seventh week of study of between 1,750 and 2,200 words in which the student sets forth his/her beliefs in regard to the following topics:
Students need not discuss the topics in the order in which they are listed above but must discuss all of them. It will not be sufficient for a student to say what he or she believes, the student must go further and discuss how such belief differs from the traditional teachings of the church and the authors we have studied. More comments and instructions are provided below under Week 1. The final paper is due by the end of the seventh week. These papers are to be e-mailed to the professor. Students should include a word count with the heading of their papers.
  1. Grades. Course work will be weighted as follows:
Papers 30%
Midterm Exam 30%
Final Paper 40%
  1. Grading Scale.
90-100% A - Excellent
80-89% B - Above Average
70-79% C - Average
60-69% D - Below Average
59% or below F - Failing Grade
WEEK 1

Read Stone and Duke in its entirety. Write a belief statement (This is in lieu of the 1,250 words paper due for this week).

This assignment asks you to formulate your position on one or more doctrines of Christian teaching. The first sentence of the paper, introducing your thesis, should begin with the words "I believe." (One may write a non-belief statement as well: "I do not believe.") But the belief statement is not simply "my personal belief"; it is rather your statement about what you believe the Christian community should teach on the issue.

A statement of belief is not theologically correct simply because one asserts that it is correct. You should give reasons to support your statements (such as what the Bible says or what the doctrines of your denomination teaches) and discuss objections to your position and respond to the objections (or show why your position is better).

The paper should be no more than 5 pages, double spaced, and no less than 1,500 words and no more than 3,200 words.

WEEK 2

Sources and Methods of Theology. Read Chopp and Davaney pages 1-16. Read Evans pages xi-52. Read McGrath Theology pages xiv-23, 119-200 and Mcgrath Reader 1.20 (21-22) and 1.26 (ps. 31-34).

Discussion Questions:
  1. What are the traditional sources of theology?
  2. What are the two traditional sources of Protestant theology. What is meant by Sola Scriptura? [By now students should be able to recognize the divide between Catholic and Protestant theology.].
  3. What are the four tasks which Evans lists for those who seek to do systematic theology in view of the history of African-American biblical interpretation?
  4. Does Davaney agree with the importance which history holds in the analysis of biblical interpretation for Evans? Where does she suggest we look for definitions of "normative criteria?"
WEEK 3

The Being and Identity of God. Read Evans chapter three. Read McGrath Theology chapters seven and eight. Read McGrath Reader: 3.35 (130-31); 3.8 (97); 3.29 (117-120); 3.27 (115-16); 3.12 (100-04) and 3.14 (105-07

Discussion Questions:
  1. What does Evans say about the nexus between experience and ideas of God?
  2. Does God suffer?
  3. You have been called to teach the second grade Sunday School class which is having difficulty understanding the concept of the Trinity. Assume your professor is a member of that class, how would you explain the Trinity to those second graders?
  4. What sex is God?
PLEASE REMEMBER TO TAKE THE MIDTERM EXAM BY THE END OF THIS WEEK.

WEEK 4

Creation, Providence, and the Mystery of Evil. Read again Evans chapter three. Also read again, McGrath Theology chapter seven, especially pages 222-40. Read Brown (Remember from Survey of the Bible Course?) pages 466-468 and 487-488. Read McGrath Reader: 3.21 (111-12); 3.23 (113); 3.2 (92-93); 3.13 (104); 3.5 (95-96); and 3.25 (114-15).

Discussion Questions:
  1. A bus load of children en route to summer camp goes over a cliff killing all 45 children on board. An angry parent asks you, "How could God do this? They were little children, why would God kill them?" The parent is hysterical so you know that you will be able to give the parent no more than two or three sentences. What will they be?
  2. What substance(s) did God use to create the Cosmos and all that God created?
  3. Is God omnipotent?
  4. A minister says to you, "God created all that is. Therefore, God created evil." Do you agree with the minister’s comments? Why or why not?
WEEK 5

Doctrine of the Person: Creature, Image of God, and Sin. Read Evans chapter five. Read Chopp and Davaney chapters two and six. Read McGrath Theology chapter 12. Read McGrath Reader: 6.4 (214); 6.41 (242-246); 6.46 (254-257); 6.13-6.22 (219-25) ; 6.44 (249-50), and 6.45 (251-53).

Discussion Questions:
  1. What does it mean to say we are created in the image and likeness of God?
  2. How does liberal feminism differ from classical feminism? And what does this distinction add to understanding how identity is shaped among women?
  3. According to Evans, what is the purpose of human existence?
  4. What is sin? What is the original sin?
WEEK 6

The Humanity and Divinity of Jesus Christ. Read Evans chapter four. Read McGrath Theology chapters 9, 10, and 11. Read McGrath Reader: 5.5 (178-79); 5.21 (194-95); 4.1-4.17 (136-150); 1.5 (7); 4.31 (171-173); 4.24 (157-58); 4.26 (160-63); 5.1 (176); 5.24 (197-201); 5.27 (203-206); and 5.23 (196-97).

Discussion Questions:
  1. Was Jesus Christ fully human and fully divine? At all times? Was he fully human at one time and then fully divine at another?
  2. What does "figura" mean and does it add anything to our understanding of Jesus Christ?
  3. Was Jesus Christ a "Superstar?" Describe your concept of Jesus Christ.
  4. Do we need to know the historical Jesus to have faith in God, the Bible and the Trinity? Of what value is historical Jesus research, if any?
  5. What is salvation? Can one be saved and then lose one’s salvation?
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT YOUR FINAL PAPER IS DUE BY THE END OF Next WEEK.

1 Taken in part from the course materials of Professor David J. Gouwens at Brite Divinity School, Fall 1996.