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Canyon College

online Systematic Theology II course at Canyon College

COURSE SYLLABUS: Systematic Theology II

Course Title: TH575 - Systematic Theology II
Department: Master of Theology
Instructor: Gerald FitzGerald, BD, MDiv, DMin, Phd Theology CandidateE-Mail -- Vita
Prerequisites: None

PURPOSE OF THE COURSE
The purpose of Systematic Theology II is to look at the core beliefs structure within Christianity. Specifically, this will involve reviewing doctrines on Christ, the Holy Spirit, the church, salvation, and eschatology. Students are expected to interject their own thoughts in creating what should be an outline of their own personal theology.

DOCTRINAL STATEMENT
Canyon College is a non-sectarian, non-denominational school committed to the study of God in all the richness and diversity of God's revelations to humanity and an exploration of what those revelations mean to the everyday lives of finite human beings. Canyon College does not advocate any particular belief, creed, doctrine or idea other than the reality of God and does not require that its students and faculty subscribe to any particular belief, creed, doctrine or idea other than a willingness to be challenged and a commitment to an investigation into truth and the pursuit of academic honesty and excellence.

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 require us to write, "God wills that everyone obeys God's will."

REQUIREMENTS
1. Readings. The required texts are: Online Bookstore
- Christian Theology, 12th edition, by Millard Erickson. 1985.

- New Bible Dictionary, 3rd edition. InterVarsity Press, 1996. ISBN: 0830814396

- Any Modern Translation Bible
Textbooks should be ordered from the Canyon College Online Bookstore to insure that the correct volume and edition is obtained.

2. Conferences. Students may schedule no more than two Internet conferences between the student and the professor. These should be scheduled as necessary by the student. 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 Forum Board.

3. Exams. There will be a midterm exam and a comprehensive final examination. The exams will cover the assigned readings. The midterm exam should be taken prior to the end of the week indicated below and the final examination should be taken before the end of week six.

4. Papers. There will be a short paper of at least two single-spaced pages or 1,250 words (not counting end-notes and bibliography), due at the end of each week's readings in which students will answer the discussion questions and give a reaction to their readings. These papers are to be e-mailed to the professor. Those who do not feel comfortable with e-mailing the papers can contact the professor for a mailing address. Papers should conform to the form and style outlined in Kate L. Turabian's "A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations," 6th ed. Students should use end notes instead of footnotes. Finally, the papers are intended to be reflection papers and not research or the "author said" papers. Students should indicate their understanding of the texts and this cannot be done merely by quoting the authors.

5. Grades. Course work will be weighted as follows:
Papers 33%
Midterm exam 33%
Final Paper 34%

6. 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

A = Clearly stands out as excellent performance. Has unusually sharp insight into material and initiates thoughtful questions. Sees many sides of an issue. Articulates well and writes logically and clearly. Integrates ideas previously learned from this and other disciplines. Anticipates next steps in progression of ideas.

B = Grasps subject matter at a level considered to be good to very good. Is an active listener and participant in chats, message boards, e-mails and conferences. Speaks and writes well. Accomplishes more than the minimum requirements. Work is of high quality.

C = Demonstrates a satisfactory comprehension of the subject matter. Accomplishes only the minimum requirements, and displays little or no initiative. Communicates at an acceptable level for a college student. Has a generally acceptable understanding of all basic concepts.

D = Quality and quantity of work is below average and barely acceptable.

F = Quality and quantity of work is unacceptable.


WEEK 1 (The Person of Christ)

Readings: Erickson 661-760
NBD look up “Jesus Christ”
Read the Book of Mark

Questions:
  1. Is it important to believe Mary was a virgin, why?
  2. Why, historically has the incarnation been viewed as mythology?
  3. What are the basic tenets of two natures (divine and human) in one person?

WEEK 2 (The Works of Christ)

Readings: Erickson 761-844
NBD look up “Jesus Christ, Titles Of”
Read Luke Chapter 5:1-14:35 and Matthew Chapter 27:11-28:20

Questions:
  1. Why did Jesus heal and help people?
  2. What was the importance of the Crucifixion?
  3. If Jesus came to die, why didn't he merely die right after birth?
  4. What is the importance of atonement?

WEEK 3 (The Holy Spirit)

Readings: Erickson 845-886
NBD look up “Spirit” and “Spiritual Gifts”
Read the Book of Acts

Questions:
  1. What is the Nature of the Holy Spirit?
  2. What is the Holy Spirit's relationship to the trinity?
PLEASE COMPLETE THE MID-TERM EXAMINATION BEFORE THE END OF THIS WEEK.


WEEK 4 (Salvation)

Readings: Erickson 887-1003

Questions:
  1. If predestination occurs does it make humanity accountable for their actions, is it fair that there is a hell?
  2. What are the differences between justification and sanctification?
  3. Does a person have to confess Christ as the savior to be saved or could they just act Christ-like (without knowing who Christ was) and still be saved?

WEEK 5 (The Church)

Readings: Erickson 1025-1148

Questions:
  1. Why and when was the church originally created?
  2. What form of church government would work best in modern society?
  3. What are the points of agreement and disagreement on the Lord's Supper?
  4. Do you agree with the arguments for the unity of the church, why or why not?
  5. What would be the greatest difficulties with reunifying the church (Catholic, Protestant, Eastern Orthodoxy, and New Age)?

WEEK 6 (Eschatology)

Readings: Erickson 1149-1242
2 Peter Chapter 3, Revelation Chapter 6-10, Isaiah Chapter 11

Questions:
  1. What is Eschatology?
  2. Discuss the differences of the three millennial views.
  3. Discuss the differences in the tribulational views.
  4. In the 2nd Peter reading are there similarities with other world religions that can be deducted by what Peter is saying?
  5. What is your personal belief on death?
  6. Discuss the differences with varying intermediate states.
PLEASE TAKE FINAL EXAMINATION BY THE END OF THIS WEEK.