SYLLABUS FLORIDA CENTER FOR THEOLOGICAL STUDIES
WlNTER 2006-2007 TH201 - THEOLOGICAL STUDIES
Dr. David Gasperson Consultation by phone or email: [email protected]
Telephone nwnbers to be shared the first week of class or you may obtain them from the Center office in Miami.
Class meets online for a total of eleven (11) weeks beginning the week of November 27 except for Christmas break. The professor will be in touch to schedule the chat sessions.
Mail papers and other ground mail to: David Gasperson, 203 Estate Dr., Jacksonville NC 28540
Web site: www.fcts.edu
I. COURSE DESCRIPTION This core seminar seeks to provide an introduction to the basic tenets of the
Christian faith. While systematic in coverage, attention will also be given to the history of the development of dogma. Students will receive a strong background in basic Christian theology and will be involved in an integrative forwn on theological questions emerging from the modem world and applications of Christian theology to contemporary ministry.
II. COURSE PLAN This course will be taught online using email, discussion groups, web site, and
multi-media files. Students are expected to have the necessary equipment and ability to use computers and the internet. Refer to the Center's website at www.sfcts.org and specifically the page for "Distance Learning/Technology" to learn the required equipment and abilities.
III COURSE FORMAT Theology will be presented in this course using a basic "systematic" framework in
which the major topics of theological concern are addressed individually. Within the systematic framework discussion will also include important observations from historical, biblical and contemporary theology as well as practical and ministerial issues.
In the second term, the subjects of the systematic outline addressed will include: Hwnanity; Sin, Evil and the Demonic; Christology; and Salvation.
IV. COURSE REQUlREMENTS 1. Overview: Requirements for this course include regular participation online,
reading of all assigned texts, two examinations, completion of a research paper on an approved topic and briefsurrunary of the conclusions from that research to the class.
2. Grading: Grade for the class will be based on the following: examinations 20 % each participation (online or class) 20 %
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research paper 30 % presentation to class 10 %
3. Examinations: Students will be tested on class notes and readings assigned at each of two scheduled testing times. Tests are equally weighted and non-cumulative.
4. Absences: Class attendance is essential to achieve mastery of the course. More than two absences may result in the professor requesting the student withdraw from the course. Withdrawl is the responsibility of the student. Online attendance is verified by completion of assignments, attendance in chats and responses to email.
5. Scores: Numerical scores and their letter equivalents for this course are: o -59 ---- F 60 - 69 ---- D 70 - 73 -- C-74 -77 ----- C 78 - 81 ----- C+ 82 - 85 ---- B-86 - 89 --- B 90 - 93 --- B+ 94 - 97 ---- A-98 - 100 ---- A 6. Research: Each student will submit a research paper of no less than ten ( 10)
typed, 12-point font, double-spaced pages on a topic approved by the professor and preferably from within the immediate scope of the theological topics of this term. The paper should be researched and show adequate footnotes and bibliography to indicate sources. Turabian form guidelines required by the Center will be enforced on this paper. Bibliography must show at least ten (10) entries of which three should be journal articles. In addition, students will provide a brief report to the class on research and conclusions of the paper. Papers should be submitted by surface mail or through an attachment to email using a program specified by the professor so the format can be checked. Students will provide a brief, oral report to the class on research and conclusions of the paper.
V. REQUlRED READING The following texts may be ordered online or through your local bookstore:
Edwards, Denis. The God of Evolution: A Trinitarian Theology. New York: Paulist, 1999.
Hall, Douglas John. Professing the Faith: Christian Theology in a North American Context. Fortress, 1996. ISBN 080062548X
La Due, William J. Jesus Among the Theologians: Contemporary Interpretations of Christ. Harrisburg: Trinity Press International, 2001. (ISBN 1-56338-351-9)
Shuster, Marguerite. The Fall and Sin: What We Have Become as Sinners. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2004. (ISBN 0-8028-0994-4)
Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses. and Dissertatons, 6th ed. Chicago: University of Chicago, 1996.
VI. SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY Though not required, the following titles are recommended for addition to
personal libraries, extended reading and term paper preparation. Numbers following some entries indicate location of the volume within the FeTS library. Not all library
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holdings have been noted here and additions are made to the library all the time. Don ' t assume that the book is unavailable just because a reference number is not listed. Check the catalog.
Titles reflecting the systematic subjects covered during this term include:
HUMANITY
Fernandez, Eleazar S. Reimagining the Human: Theoloeical Anthropology in Response To Systemic Evil. Chalice, 2004.
Macquarrie, John. In Search of Hum ani tv: A Theological and Philosophical Approach . New York: Crossroad. 1985 .
Mitchell, Patrick. The Scandal of Gender. Salisbury ~lA: Regina Orthodox Press. 1998. BX342.5.M48 1998
Niebuhr, Reinhold. The Nature and Destiny of Man. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox, 1994. BT701.N5213 1964[1996]
Peterson, Anna Lisa. Being Human: Ethics. Environment and Our Place in the World. Berkley: U of California Press, 2001. BJ1012.P454 2001
Thistlethwaite, Susan Brooks, ed. Adam, Eve. and the Genome: The Human Genome Project and Theology. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2003. QH 438.7.T44 2003
SIN, EVlL, DEMONIC
Armando, Maggi. Satan' s Rhetoric: A Study of Renaissance Demonology. Chicago: U of Chicago, 2001. BF 151 1.M34 2001
Bratten, Carl E. and Robert E. Jenson. Sin. Death. and the Devil. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans,1999. BT715.S63 1999
Harrington, Daniel J. Whv Do We Suffer? A Scriptural Approach to the Human Condition. Franklin WI: Sheed & Ward, 2000. BS680.S854 H37 2000
McClanahan, John H. Man as Sinner. Nashville: Broadrnan, 1987. BT715.M37 1987
Menninger, Karl. Whatever Became of Sin? New York: Hawthorne, 1973. BY 4625.M46 1973
Pagels, Elaine. The Origin of Satan. New York: Random House, 1995. BS 2555 .6.05 P34 1995
Ricoeur, Paul. The Symbolism of Evil. Boston: Beacon, 1969.
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Wray, T. 1. and Gregory Mobley. The Birth of Satan: Tracing the Devil ' s Biblical Roots. New York: Pelgrave Macmillan, 2005. BS 680.D56 W73 2005
Towner, W. Sibley, How God Deals with Evil (Philadelphia: Westminster, 1976)
CHRISTOLOGY
Borg, Marcus J. and Nicholas Thomas Wright. The Meaning of Jesus: Two Visions. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1998 BT 202.B646 1998
Burns, Charlene Embrey. Divine Becoming: Rethinking Jesus and Incarnation. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2002. BT 220.B87 2002
Clifford, Anne M. and Anthony J. Godzieba. eds. Christolouv: Memorv. Inquirv. Practice. Maryknoll: Orbis, 2003. BT203.C482003
Cobb, John B., Jr. Christ in a Pluralistic Age. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1975. BT 202.C62 1975
Cullmann, Oscar. The Christolouv of the New Testament. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1975. BT 198.C813 1959
Dunn, James D. G. Christolouv in the Making: A New Testament Inquiry Into the Origins of the Doctrine of the Incarnation. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans,1996. BT220.D84 1996
Fredriksen, Paula. From Jesus to Christ: The Origins of the New Testament Images of Christ. 2nd ed. New Haven: Yale, 2000. BTl98.F822000
Grace, Ji-Sun Kim. The Grace of Sophia: A Korean North American Women's Christolouv. Cleveland: Pilgrim, 2002. BS 580.W58 K56 2002
Inbody, Tyron L. The Many Faces ofChristolouv. Nashville: Abingdon, 2002. BT 203.153 2002
Keck, Leander E. Who is Jesus? Historv in Perfect Tense. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2001. BT 303.2.K435 2000
Moltmann, Jurgen, The Crucified God. New York: Harper & Row, 1974. BT 202.M5513 1974 [1993]
_ ___ . The Way of Jesus Christ: Christolouv in Messianic Dimensions. HarperSanFrancisco, 1990. BT 202.M552 1993
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Stinton, Diane B. Jesus of Africa: Voices of Contemporary African Christology. Maryknoll: Orbis, 2004. BT205.S8592004
Van Aarde, Andries G. Fatherless in Galilee: Jesus As Child of God. Harrisburg: Trinity, 2001. BT 202.V23 2001
Varghese, Roy Abraham. God-fleshed: A Chronicle of the Comings of Christ. New York: Crossroad, 2001. BT 202. V26 2001
Weaver, Walter P. The Historical Jesus in the Twentiety CenturY: 1900-1950. Harrisburg: Trinity, 1999. BT301.9.W431999
Wink, Walter. The Human Being: Jesus and the EnillJIla of the Son of Man. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2002. BS66 I. W56 2002
Witherington, Ben. Jesus the Seer: The Progress ofProphecv. Peabody: Hendrickson, 1999. BR115.P8 W57 1999
Yoder, John Howard. Preface to Theology: Christology and Theological Method. Grand Rapids: Brazos, 2002. BT 75.3 .Y63 2002
SALVATION
A1dwinckle, Russell F. Jesus - A Savior or the Savior? Macon: Mercer University, 1982.
Gerrish, Brian Albert. Saving and Secular Faith: An Invitation to Svstematic Theology. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1999. BT771.2.G45 1999
Green, Joel B. Salvation. Chalice, 2003. BT 751.3.G73 2003
Rusch, William G. Justification and the Future of the Ecumenical Movement: The Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification. Liturgical, 2003.
BVT 764.3.187 2003
Schwager, Raymund. Jesus in the Drama of Salvation: Toward a Biblical Doctrine of Salvation. New York: Crossroad, 1999
BT202.S37571999
Stott, John R. W. The Cross of Christ. Downer's Grove: IVP, 1986. BT 453.S675 1986
Yancey, Philip. What's So Amazing About Grace? Grand Rapids: Eerdmans. 1997. BT761.2.Y35 1997
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In addition to the above titles on the systematic subjects, the following titles are recommended for specific modern movements in theology:
FEMINIST THEOLOGY
Daly, Mary. Beyond God the Father: Toward a Philosophy of Women's Liberation. Boston: Beacon, 1985. HQ1154.D3 1985
Fiorenza, Elisabeth Schussler. But She Said: Feminist Practices of Biblical Interpretations. Boston: Beacon, 1992. BS680. W7F56 1992
__ ---,_. In Memory of Her: A Feminist Reconstruction of Christian Ori2ins. ~ew York: Crossroad, 1983. BR129.F56 1983
__ ---=_. The Power of Naming: A Concilium Reader in Feminist Liberation Theolo2V. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1996. BT83.55.P68 1996
Geitz, Elizabeth Rankin. Gender and the Nicene Creed. Harrisburg: Morehouse, 1995. BT999.G451995
Grey, Mary. Introducing Feminist Images of God. Pilgrim Press, 200 l. BT127.2.G732001
Jones, Serene. Feminist Theory and Christian Theolo2V: Cartographies of Grace. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2000. BT83.55.1662001
McFague, Sally, TheBody of God: An Ecological Theology. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1993. BT695.5.M4431993
__ -=-::-' Metaphorical Theolo2V: Models of God in Religious Language. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1982. BR1I5.L25 M345 1982
_ _ -==. Theolo2V for an Ecological. Nuclear Age. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1987. BTl02.M425 1987
__ --=-_. Super, Natural Christians: How We Should Love Nature. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1997. BR1l5.N3 M34 1997
Rae, Eleanor. Woman, The Earth, The Divine. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1994. BT83.55.R34 1994
Ruether, Rosemary Radford. Disputed Ouestions: On Being a Christian. Nashville: Abingdon, 1982. BX4705.R7277A331982
____ . Faith and Fatricide: The Theological Roots of Anti-Semitism. Eugene, OR: Wipfand Stock, 1997. BM535.R8151978[1997J
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Marv, the Feminine Face of the Church. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1977. BT602.R83 1977
__ -,,-:_. The Radical Kingdom: The Western Experience of Messianic Hope. New York: Harper & Row, 1970. BT738.3.R8 1970
Sexism and God-talk: Toward a Feminist Theology. Boston: Beacon 1983. BT704.R83 1983
__ -=-_. Women and Redemption: A Theoloe:ical Historv. Minneapolis: Fortress,1998. BT704.R8351998
___ -,-::. Women Healing Earth: Third World Women on Ecology. Feminism and Relie:ion. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1996. HQI233.W595.1996
Schneiders, Sandra M. With Oil in Their Lamps. New York: Paulist, 2000. BX2347.8W6 S27 2000
Thistlethwaite, Susan Brooks and Mary Potter Engel. Constructing Christian Theoloe:ies From the Underside. Maryknoll: Orbis, 1998.
BT83.57.L5151998
Watson, Natalie K. Introducing Feminist Ecclkesiology. Pilgrim Press, 2002. BV600.3.W272002
LIBERATION THEOLOGY
Boff, Leonard. Cry of the earth.. Cry ofthe Poor. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1997. GF80.B6313 1997
__ -:-:~. Ecology and Liberation: A New Paradigm. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1995. BT695.5.B6413 1995
God and the World. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1969. BT75.2.C6 1969
Jesus Christ: Liberation. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1978. BT202.B5313 1978
__ --==-:-:. Passion of Christ, Passion of the World. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1987. BT453.B6313 1987
. Salvation and Liberation. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 198-l. ---=B-=T=8357.B613 1984
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____ ,. Trinity and Society. Maryknoll, NY: Orb is, 1988 BTl 1 I.2.B7413 1988
Comblin, Jose. Called For Freedom: The Changing Context of Liberation Theology, Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1998, BT83.57C654 1998
Dussel, Enrique. Theology and Liberation. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1985. JC585.D873 1985
Espin, Orlando and Miguel H. Diaz. From the Heart of Our People: Latino/a Explorations in Catholic Svstematic Theology. Maryknoll: Orbis, 1999.
Ferm, Dean William. Third World Liberation Theologies: An Introductorv Survev. Maryknoll: Orbis, 1986. BT83.57.F465 1986
____ . Third World Liberation Theologies: A Reader. Maryknoll, NY: Orb is, 1986 BT83.57.T48 1986
Fernandez, Eleazar Singson. Toward a Theology of Struggle. Maryknoll : Orbis, 1994. BT30.P6F47 1994
Garcia, Alma M., ed. Chicana Feminist Thought: The Basic Historical Writings. New York: Routledge, 1997. HQ1421.C521997
Gutierrez, Gustavo. The God of Life. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1991 BS544.G871991
__ -=~. Las Casas: In Search of the Poorof Jesus Christ. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis,1993. FI411.G9791993
__ -,,--,--:-' On Job: God-talk and the Suffering of the Innocent. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis,1987. BSI415.2.G8813 1987
_ _ ---==. A Theology of Liberation. revised. Maryknoll: Orbis, 1988. BT738.G8613 1973
__ --,-_. The Truth Shall Make You Free: Confrontations. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1990. BT83.57.G884 1990
rsasi-Daz, Ada Mara. La Lucha Continues: Mujerista Theology. Maryknoll: Orbis, 2004. BT83,583.183 2004
K wok, Pui Lan. ,Postcolonial Imagination and Feminist Theology. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox, 2005 BT 83.SS.K86 2005
Melendez, Guillermo. Seeds of Promise: The Prophetic Church in Central America.
New York: Friendship, 1990. BX1432.M46 1990
Park, Jong-Chun. Crawl with God, Dance in the Spirit' A Creative Formulation of Korean Theology of the Spirit. Nashville: Abingdon, 1998. BT 83.58.P376 1998
Petrella, Ivan, ed. Latin American Liberation Theologies: The Next Generation. Maryknoll : Orbis, 2005 . BT 83.57 L37 2005
Tombs, David. Latin American Liberation Theology. Brill,2002 BT 83.57.T65 2002
PROCESS THEOLOGY
Brown, Delwin, Ralph E. James & Gene Reeves, eds. Process Theology and Christian Thought. Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill, 1971 BT83.6.B76 1971
Cobb, John 8., Jr. Christ in a Pluralistic Age. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1975. BT202.C62 1975
__ --::-::=:. God and the World. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1969. BT75.2.C6 1969
___ -:-:-. Grace and Responsibility: A Wesleyan Theology for Today. Nashville: Abingdon, 1995. BX8331.2.C63 1995
__ ~~. Process Theology as Political Theology. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1982. BT83.6.C625 1982
__ --::-:-=. Reclaiming the Church. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox, 1997. BV600.2.C575 1997
__ -:--:--' The Emptying of God: A Buddhist-Jewish-Christian Conversation. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1990. BR128.B8 E578 1990
__ -=:;---' The Process Perspective: Frequently Asked Questions About Process Theology. Chalice, 2003. BR 83.6.C59 2003
Cobb, John 8., Jr. & David Ray Griffin. Process Theology: An Introductory Exposition Philadelphia: Westminster, 1976.
Whitehead, Alfred North. Process and Reality: An Essay in Cosmology. New York: Harper & Row, 1960. BD511.W51960
____ . Religion in the Making. New York: World, 1960. BL48.W351960
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VII. POLICIES 1. Incompletes: An incomplete grade may be given only to a student who has
been attending classes on a regular basis and submitting assignments and tests promptly but who is unable to complete the course due to an emergency. The request to complete course work must be made by the student and agreed to by the professor. It is the student's responsibility to arrange for completion of the course and to submit to the professor all course work by the date published in the academic year calendar. If work is not completed, the grade will be changed to reflect a zero on the missing work - usually the grade for the term will become an "F". All requests for incompletes must be submitted in writing using the "Request for Incomplete" form available from the Registrar.
2. Plagiarism: Plagiarism is defined as the use, without proper acknowledgment. of the ideas, phrases, sentences, or larger units of discourse from another writer or speaker. FCTS is committed to the highest standards of scholarly integrity and the Dean's office will deal appropriately with any incident of plagiarism.
3. Respect: We are a multi-cultural and diverse educational community. In this course we will strive for inclusive language. We will not accept intolerance and abuse of others in any form and we will seek to broaden our own experience by incorporating the broad experience of others. While words and ideas are our individuality and our freedom, they may also hurt others. Let us be cautious.
FOR COMPLETE CATALOG INFORMATION INCLUDING CENTER POLICIES, VISIT THE CENTER'S WEBSITE AT WWW.FCTS.EDU.
VIII. COURSE OBJECTIVES At the close of this term students are intended to have achieved the following
objectives: 1. To understand and be able to express the uniqueness of humanity within the
created world and the challenges and responsibilities that uniqueness brings to individuals living in community.
2. To comprehend the historical development of the doctrine of the "incarnation" of Christ.
3. To comprehend the life events and teachings of the historical Jesus as presented in the four Gospels.
4. To be aware of various understandings and descriptions of the nature, source and transmission of sin and evil and how ones understanding of sin and evil may impact ones view of the world and moral and ethical issues in life.
5. To understand the basic biblical texts and the history of the development of Christian doctrine which have led to the several understandings within Christianity of "salvation" and the avenues to salvation - particularly "faith and works."
IX. COURSE OUTLINE Week I - November 27
Topics: Introduction to the Course and Texts; The Origin of Humanity; The Nature of Being Human
Other Matters: Overview of syllabus; texts; introductions Week 2 - December 4
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Topics: Man and Woman in the Bible and Biblical Times; Modem Feminist Theology Reading Assignment - Edwards (112)
(Reading assignments are to be completed by the class meeting where noted.)
Week 3 - December 11 Topics: The Nature of Sin and Evil Reading Assignment - Edwards (finish) Other Matters: Last day to dropladd - Monday, December 11
Week 4 - January 2 Topics: The Doctrine of the Transmission of Sin and Its Impact on Theological
Issues Reading Assignment - Shuster chs 1-4 Other Matters: Finalize Term Paper Topics
Week 5 - January 8 Topics: Satan and the Demonic Reading Assignment - Shuster chs 5-8)
Week 6 - January 15 Topics: The Tools of Christo logy Reading Assignment - Shuster (finish) Other Matters: MID-TERM EXAM
Week 7 - January 22 Topics: The Life and Teachings of the Historical Jesus Reading Assignment - Hall (chapters 7-8)
Week 8 - January 29 Topics: The Death and Resurrection of Jesus and the Theology of the First
Church Reading Assignment - Hall (finish)
Week 9 - February 5 Topics: The Early Church Councils and the Refinement of Doctrine on the
Incarnation Reading Assignment - La Due (113)
Week 10 - February 12 Topics: Virgin Birth, Miracles, and Skepticism Reading Assignment - La Due (second 1/3) Other Matters: Student Presentations
Week 11 - February 19 Topics: Christ and the Modem Pluralistic Age Reading Assignment - La Due (finish) Other Matters: FINAL EXAM
TERM PAPERS DUE
(end of syllabus)
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