Course of Study School, Fifth Year
Spring 2011 Saturday School, Emory University
April 30, May 14, June 4
COS 512: Contemporary Theology
Instructor: Carl S. Hughes
857.998.1368
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Course Description
This course critically reflects on significant individuals, movements, events, and fundamental tenets of the Christian faith that have shaped contemporary theologies in the past century or so. Through study of varied theological expressions in the modern and postmodern decades, the student enters into the church’s enduring task of interpreting, articulating, and enacting the gospel for contemporary life. Attention will be given to selected primary sources.
Objectives
• Consideration of nineteenth-century theological issues that form the backdrop for twentieth century developments.
• Examination of the liberal-conservative split of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, as well as ensuing neo-evangelical movements, orthodox theologies, and liberal developments.
• Analysis of the Barthian/neo-Orthodox traditions.
• Interpretation of theologies of history and eschatology.
• Reflection upon Black, Hispanic/Latino, and Native American liberation theologies, with due reference to ethnic, feminist/womanist/mujerista, and class expressions.
• Exploration of other significant theological movements, such as feminist, ecumenical, contemporary Roman Catholic, post-Enlightenment, postmodern, evangelical, Eastern orthodox, and process theologies.
• Appreciation for contemporary African, Asian, and Latin American theologies.
Required Texts
James C. Livingston and Francis Schüssler Fiorenza with Sarah Cokley and James H. Evans Jr., Modern Christian Thought: The Twentieth Century (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2006).
The following short readings will be provided in PDF form:
1. James C. Livingston, “Friedrich Schleiermacher,” in Modern Christian Thought: The Enlightenment and the Nineteenth Century (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2006), 93-105.
2. Friedrich Schleiermacher, “The Power of Prayer in Relation to Outward Circumstances” [1801], in Selected Sermons of Schleiermacher, ed. W. Robertson Nicoll, trans. Mary F. Wilson (Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock, 2004), 38-51.
3. Karl Barth, “The Strange New World within the Bible” [1916], in The Word of God and the Word of Man, trans. Douglas Horton (Gloucester, MA: Peter Smith, 1978), 28-50.
4. Karl Barth, “The Task” and “Jesus Christ,” in Dogmatics in Outline [1946], trans. G. T. Thomson (New York: Harper Torchbooks, 1959), 8-14 and 65-71.
5. Paul Tillich, “Religion as a Dimension in Man’s Spiritual Life” [1954] in Theology of Culture, ed. Robert C. Kimball (London: Oxford University Press, 1959), 3-9.
6. Paul Tillich, “You Are Accepted” [1948], in The Shaking of the Foundations (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1948), 153-163.
7. James H. Cone, “The Content of Theology,” in A Black Theology of Liberation [1970], Twentieth Anniversary Edition (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1990), 1-20.
8. Elizabeth A. Johnson, “Feminist Theology and Critical Discourse about God,” in She Who Is: The Mystery of God in Feminist Theological Discourse [1992], Tenth Anniversary Edition (New York: Crossroad, 2002), 17-41.
9. Jacquelyn Grant, “The Sin of Servanthood and the Deliverance of Discipleship” [1993], in A Troubling in My Soul: Womanist Perspectives on Evil and Suffering, ed. Emily M. Townes (Maryknoll, NY: Orbitz Books, 1993), 199-216.
10. Catherine Keller, “After Omnipotence: Power as Process,” in On the Mystery: Discerning Divinity in Process [2008] (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2008), 69-90.
Grading
Final grades will be based on the following factors:
Active and informed participation in class discussions: 20%
Notes on secondary-source readings: 15% (5% per week)
Three essays: 65% (20%, 20%, 25%)
The following scale from the Candler handbook will be used in evaluation:
A–Reserved for outstanding work of exceptionally high quality that reflects a creative appropriation of course materials and practices.
B–Work that meets all of the stated course requirements and reflects a firm grasp of course materials and practices.
C–Work that shows a basic grasp of the course materials and practices.
D–Work that shows serious deficiencies but meets the minimal requirements of the course.
F–Work that fails to meet the minimal requirements of the course.
I. PRE-COURSE ASSIGNMENTS
Due by 5pm April 15
Email to Michelle Levan ().
1. Complete all of the assigned readings that we will be discussing on April 30.
2. Submit 3 pages of notes on the secondary-source readings for April 30. Write down the most important features of the theologians, periods, and movements discussed. The page limit for this assignment is meant to encourage you to focus on the big picture.
3. Write a 3-4 page essay on one of the primary-source readings that we will be discussing on April 30. In this essay, you should answer the following questions:
(a) What understanding of prayer (in the case of Schleiermacher) or scripture (in the case of Barth) is the author presenting? Why does he believe that this understanding is important?
(b) What view of prayer/scripture is the author disagreeing with? What arguments does the author give against it?
(c) Do you believe that the author’s view of prayer/scripture is useful for the contemporary church? Why or why not?
II. CLASS SESSIONS
April 30
Topics Discussed: Nineteenth Century Background and the Barthian Revolution
Secondary Sources
“Friedrich Schleiermacher” [pdf, 93-105]
“The Legacy of Modernity and the New Challenges of Historical Theology” [Livingston, et al., 1-30]
“The Dialectical Theology” [Livingston, et al., 62-76]
Primary Sources
Friedrich Schleiermacher, “The Power of Prayer in Relation to Outward Circumstances” [pdf, 38-51]
Karl Barth, “The Strange New World within the Bible” [pdf, 28-50]
Due in Class:
1. No additional written work beyond the pre-course assignments.
2. Make sure the assigned readings for today are fresh in your mind, especially the primary sources.
3. Plan ahead for the remainder of the course assignments; begin to read ahead if possible.
May 14
Topics discussed: Mid-Century Barthianism and Liberalism; The Beginnings of Black Theology
Secondary Sources
“The Theologies of Karl Barth and Dietrich Bonhoeffer,” [Livingston et al., 96-111]
“Paul Tillich,” [Livingston et al., 140-153]
“Reinhold Niebuhr,” [Livingston et al., 175-191]
“James Cone’s Black Theology of Liberation” [Livingston, et al., 456-460]
Primary Sources
Karl Barth, “The Task” and “Jesus Christ” [pdf, 9-14 and 65-71]
Paul Tillich, “Religion as a Dimension in Man’s Spiritual Life” [pdf, 3-10]
Paul Tillich, “You Are Accepted” [pdf, 153-163]
James Cone, “The Content of Theology” [pdf, 1-20]
Due in Class:
1. Complete all assigned readings for the day.
2. Submit 3 pages of notes on the secondary-source readings, emphasizing the most important features of the theologians, periods, and movements discussed.
3. Write two 1.5-page essays answering the following questions:
(a). How do you think that Karl Barth would respond to the view of religion expressed by Paul Tillich in his essay “Religion as a Dimension in Man’s Spiritual Life”?
(b). In what ways do you think James Cone’s theology is similar to Karl Barth’s? In what ways do you think it is similar to Paul Tillich’s? Based on the chapter you read by Cone, which perspective do you think is more influential in his thought?
June 4
Topics Discussed: Recent developments, especially feminist, womanist, and process theology
Secondary Sources
“Latin American Liberation Theology” [Livingston et al., 288-302]
“Feminist Theology” [Livingston et al., 417-433, 460-466]
“Black Womanist Theology: Texts, Traditions, and Trajectories,” [Livingston, et al., 460-466]
“John B. Cobb, Jr.” [Livingston et al., 327-336]
Primary Sources
Elizabeth Johnson, “Feminist Theology and Critical Discourse about God,” [pdf, 17-41]
Jacquelyn Grant, “The Sin of Servanthood and the Deliverance of Discipleship” [pdf, 199-216]
Catherine Keller, “After Omnipotence: Power as Process” [pdf, 69-90]
Due in Class:
1. Complete all assigned readings for the day.
2. Submit 3 pages of notes on the secondary-source readings, emphasizing the most important features of the theologians, periods, and movements discussed.
3. Write a 4-4.5 page essay in which you:
(a). Choose one of the assigned primary sources for this week that you find especially helpful or problematic.
(b). Summarize the author’s point of view and her critique of the mainstream theological tradition.
(c). Reflect on how adopting her perspective would change how you preach and lead worship.
(d). Evaluate her theology. Do you think it is worthwhile for the church today?
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