COURSE TEMPLATE
Gateway Seminary
L1212 Christian Theology II
Number of Credit Hours: 3
Grade Type: A/F
Prerequisites: None
Required for degree(s): MDiv, MTS, MAEL, MMiss, DpTh
Course Template Approval/Revision Date: Rev. 09/2010; Rev. 05/17/12
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is an introduction to Christian Theology surveying the doctrines of Christ, Salvation, the Spirit, the Church, and Eschatology.
REQUIRED COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the conclusion of this course, students should be better able to:
1.Express a clear understanding of selected major Christian doctrines. (J1, F11, R18, R19, MDIVD02)
2.Employ a theological method that includes Biblical exegesis, historical developments, philosophical insight, and experiential realities to articulate theological truth with accuracy, clarity and coherence; (R18, MDIVD02)
3.Be knowledgeable concerning the characteristics and contours of several major theological traditions; (J1, R19, MDIVD02)
4.Articulate their own personal theological positions; (C6, C7, MDIVD02) and
5.Function as responsible pastoral theologians in applying Christian truth to contemporary life and the mission of the church. (C8, C10, R16, M20, M21, MDIVD02)
MANDATORY ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES (required in all syllabi)
Gateway engages in regular assessment of its academic programs. Student participation is essential to this process through the following activities.
(The text regarding "mandatory assessment activities" above and below must be included verbatim in all syllabi to which they apply. Item #1 must be included with all syllabi. Item #2 must be included in the syllabus of any required class, and #3 must be included in syllabi which stipulate that a learning artifact must be uploaded (check the template and/or with the department chairperson if uncertain).
1. CoursEvalAssessments – Each semester a link to a CoursEval survey for each course taken will appear in the student's MyGateway page. Students are required to complete this online evaluation of course/instructor no later than the last scheduled meeting of the class. A summary of results (without student ID) is released to the professor only after grades have been submitted for the course.
2. ePortfolio Reflections - All degree-seeking students must reflect on the work completed as part of required courses by commenting upon the manner in which the course contributed to his/her growth in relation to at least five Essential Leadership Characteristics selected by the student (see for the complete list). These reflections must be recorded in the student's ePortfolio and a copy emailed to the professor no later than the last scheduled meeting of the class.
3. ePortfolio Artifacts – The "signature assignment" specified in this syllabus must both be turned in to the professor for a grade AND attached to the student's ePortfolio as a "learning artifact." The institution reviews these artifacts as a way of judging the effectiveness of the Seminary's academic program. The review occurs after the student graduates and without reference to student identity. Students are encouraged to remove title page or header/footer containing their name prior to attaching the artifact to their ePortfolio.
SEMINARY POLICY ON ACADEMIC CREDIT AND WORKLOAD EXPECTATIONS (required in all syllabi)
In all Gateway face-to-face, hybrid or online courses, the Seminary assigns a workload of approximately 45 clock hours of academic learning activities per academic credit hour earned.Traditional in-class format normally apportions 15 hours of in-class instruction and30 hours of instructional exercises to be completed outside of class meetings per credit hour granted. For androgogical reasons, individual courses may adjust the ratio of assignments inside and outside class meeting times.
REQUIRED COURSE COMPONENTS
The following "required course components" MUST be incorporated into the course assignments in all offerings of this course. Additional course components may be added by the instructor. For each hour of academic credit, course components requiring approximately 15 hours of classroom activities and 25-30 hours of outside activities must be indicated. Courses designed for hybrid or online delivery must include a comparable level of course work.
- The student will be exposed to the following basic information:
An introduction to the nature, necessity, norms, and philosophical dimensions of Christian Theology
An overview of the doctrines of Christ, Salvation, the Spirit, the Church, and Eschatology.
- The student will be expected to master the following skills:
Express a basic understanding of selected Christian doctrines and be able to demonstrate an understanding of their relationship to one another.
Articulate the biblical foundations, historical developments, and contemporary expression of issues central to the Christian faith. As such, students may be called upon to respond in written or verbal form to questions regarding basic doctrinal positions of traditional historical value.
Demonstrate a coherent theological method for the development of adequate expressions of doctrine that takes into account the biblical and traditional values of Christian theology, and the peculiarity of contemporary forces and worldviews to which the Christian message must respond. Participants should demonstrate an appropriate incorporation of Scripture, tradition, experience, philosophical insights, and reason in the development of theological reflection that is both critical and creative.
Identify heretical theology against a known framework of evangelical, baptistic, and/or personal theological convictions.
Discern essential/eternal biblical truths and translate those truths appropriately into a ministry context.
Master those aspects of philosophy that the professor, guided by the "conceptual frameworks" enumerated below, deems relevant for the practice of Christian theology.
Reflect responsibly upon one's personal theological position.
Incorporate joyfully and consistently the understanding of theology into the practice of Christian living, worship and ministry.
Become a minister-theologian, for 'We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ." (Col. 1:28 NIV)
Be familiar with a variety of theological approaches and methodologies.
- The student will be expected to develop a conceptual framework for the following subject area/discipline:
A Theological Method that incorporates Biblical Integrity, Historical Developments, Philosophical Insights, and Experiential Relevance.
An understanding of theological processes that emerge from a commitment to a baptistic vision of the importance and priority of the community of believers and the lived life of disciples of Jesus.
Philosophical awareness that covers insights that have developed from Pre-Modern, Modern, and Post-Modern paradigms. These might include Idealism , Materialism, Enlightenment Rationalism, Logical Positivism, Existentialism, Marxism, Freudianism, and more recent epistemological movements such as Language and Analytic philosophy, and Deconstruction.
Contending theological perspectives.
The doctrine of God incorporating the classical arguments for His "existence," His greatness, goodness, grace, and glory including His attributes, Sovereignty, Providence, and Triune life.
The doctrine of Revelation covering the areas of general, special, narrative and "inerrancy."
The doctrine of Creation including "creatio ex nihilo," theories of origin, stewardship, eschatology, and angelology.
The doctrine of Humanity recognizing the character of the "imago dei," as well as humanity's gendered, corporate, and ethnic character.
The doctrine of sin including theories of the fall, the character of metaphysical, natural and moral evil, and theodicy.
Discipling believers in Christ and equipping them for the work of ministry.
Identifying and refuting false teaching.
- The student will demonstrate affective growth in the following areas:
Capacity to think biblically and theologically concerning issues of Christian ministry.
Experience of a deeper and more consistent joy in the Lord.
Ability to reflect theologically on and participate whole-heartedly in the church's life and worship.
Speaking and acting more courageously in life and ministry because of an increased discernment of God's nature and will.
Manifestation of a deeper understanding in the power of the Spirit of the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Understanding of and relationship to God, God's world, and the student's way and place in it.
Readiness to repent of theologically unworthy statements, beliefs, and practices based upon a more profound understanding of the Scriptural witness to the Living God.
REQUIRED ASSESSMENT MECHANISMS
The following "required assessment mechanism," MUST be incorporated into the course assignments in all instances of this course. Additional assessment mechanisms may be added by the instructor.
The student will craft a credo corresponding to the number of doctrines covered in L1212. This statement of beliefs will be comprised of no more than one page per doctrine studied. To assess the student's development in theological studies, he or she will combine the credos crafted in both L1211 and L1212, the list of doctrines therein corresponding directly to the number of doctrines studied in both classes, taken online or face-to-face. The student will upload his or her comprehensive credo at the point he or she submits the specific statement for the second of the two classes, regardless of the order in which the student took them. These credo projects, with the one-page-per-doctrine requirement, will be assigned in each section of both classes taught across the entire Gateway system. A rubric to standardize assessment of the credo statements — according to biblical, historical, and systematic ideas of importance — is provided below.
CREDOASSESSMENT RUBRIC / UNACCEPTABLE or
MINIMALLY ACCEPTABLE / GOOD / EXCELLENT
CONTENT / Substantially less or more than one page per doctrine; Omits core features of particular doctrinal foci; All doctrines are not addressed / Adequately and with clarity addresses many of the core features of each doctrine; Adheres substantially to the one-page-per- doctrine
requirement / Adequately and with clarity addresses a comprehensive array of the core features of each doctrine; Shows significant attention to grammar and presentation
SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT / No Scripture cited / Two to four core scriptural citations per doctrine (references, not citations) / Five or more scriptural citations per doctrine (references, not citations)
CREATIVITY / Little or no evidence of thought toward moving from systematic to pastoral theology and application / Evidence of personal appropriation and articulation of each doctrine; Evidence of personal experience and application / A striking and forceful (not necessarily novel) articulation of the doctrine; Evidence of personal experience/application; Quotes from sources other than Scripture; unique presentation
INSTRUCTIONS / Significant & frequent style errors on each page; Late submission of assignment; Evidence of cutting and pasting / General adherence to Turabian style; Submitted on time / Adherence to Turabian style
DELIVERY FORMAT
1/week @ 15 weeks; 1/week @ 10 weeks; 1/every other week @ 8 weeks + online; online versions incorporating 38%, 50%, and 100% online contact hours.
REQUIRED RESOURCES
The professor determines the required resources.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
Allen, Diogenes. Philosophy for Understanding Theology. Atlanta: John Knox Press, 1985.
Barth, Karl. Dogmatics in Outline. New York: Harper and Brothers, 1986.
_____. Church Dogmatics. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1968.
Basden, Paul, ed. Has Our Theology Changed? Southern Baptist Thought Since 1845. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1994.
Bloesch, Donald. Essentials of Evangelical Theology, vols. I-II. San Francisco:Harper and Row Publishers 1978, 1979.
_____. A Theology of Word and Spirit. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
_____. Holy Scripture, Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1994.
_____. The Almighty God. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1995.
_____. Jesus Christ: Savior and Lord. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1997. . The Holy Spirit. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2000.
Emil Brunner. The Christian Doctrine of God, The Christian Doctrine of Creation and Redemption, and The Christian Doctrine of the Church, Faith and theConsummation. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1949.
Brunner, Frederick Dale. A Theology of the Holy Spirit: The Pentecostal Experience and the NewTestament Witness. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1970.
Chan, Simon. Spiritual Theology: A Systematic Study of the Christian Life. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1998.
Demarest, Bruce. The Cross and Salvation: The Doctrine of Salvation. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1997.
Dyrness, William A. Invitation to Cross-Cultural Theology: Case Studies in Vernacular Theologies. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1992.
Erickson, Millard J. Christian Theology. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1998.
_____. The Word Became Flesh: A Contemporary Incarnational Christology. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1991.
Elwell, Walter. Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1984.
Fee, Gordon D. God's Empowering Presence: The Holy Spirit in the Letters of Paul. Peabody: Hendrickson Publishers, 1994.
Ford, David F., ed. The Modern Theologians: An Introduction to Christian Theology in the Twentieth Century. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers, 1997.
Fackre, Gabriel, Ronald H. Nash, and John Sanders. What About Those Who Have Never Heard? Three Views on the Destiny of the Unevangelized. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1995.
Garrett, James Leo. Systematic Theology, 2 vols. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2001.
George, Timothy, and David Dockery, eds., Baptist Theology. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1990.
Gonzalez, Justo L. Mariana: Christian Theology from a Hispanic Perspective. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1990.
_____. Santa Biblia: The Bible Through Hispanic Eyes. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1996.
Green, Joel B. and Max Turner. Between Two Horizons: Spanning New Testament Studies & Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000.
Green, Michael. I Believe in the Holy Spirit. Grand Rapids: William. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1986.
Grenz, Stanley J. and John R. Franke. Beyond Foundationalism: Shaping Theology in a Postmodern Context. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2001.
Grenz, Stanley J. Theology for the Community of God. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1994.
Grenz, Stanley & Roger Olson. Who Needs Theology? An Invitation to the Study of God. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1996.
Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994.
Henry, Carl F. H. God, Revelation, and Authority, 6 vols. Waco, TX: Word Books, 1976.
_____. The Identity of Jesus of Nazareth. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1992.
Lewis, Gordon R., and Bruce A. Demarest. Integrative Theology. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996.
Lindbeck, George A. The Nature of Doctrine: Religion and Theology in a Postliberal Age. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1984.
McClendon, James Wm. Jr. Systematic Theology: Ethics, vol. I, Doctrine, vol. II, and Witness, vol. III. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1994 — 2000.
McGrath, Alister E. Christian Theology: An Introduction. 3d ed. Cambridge: Blackwell Publishers, Inc., 2002.
_____. A Christian Theology Reader. 2d ed. Cambridge: Blackwell Publishers, Inc., 2001.
Daniel Migliore. Faith Seeking Understanding: An Introduction to Christian Theology. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991.
Moltmann, Jurgen. The Church in the Power of the Spirit: A Contribution to Messianic Ecclesiology. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1993.
Moule, C. F. D. The Origins of Christology. London: Cambridge University Press, 1977. Packer, J. I. Keep in Step with the Spirit. Grand Rapids: Fleming H. Revell, 1984.
Pinnock, Clark. Flame of Love: A Theology of the Holy Spirit. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1996.
Pannenberg, Wolfhart. Systematic Theology, 3 vols. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991.
Plantinga, Cornelius Jr. Not the Way It's Supposed to Be: A Breviary of Sin. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1995.
Reymond, Robert L. A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1998.
Robinson, James B., and David S. Dockery, eds. Beyond the Impasse?: Scripture, Interpretation, and Theology in Baptist Life. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1992.
Stone, Howard W., and James 0. Duke. How to Think Theologically. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1996.
Volf, Miroslay. After Our Likeness: The Church as the Image of the Trinity. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1998.
Ward, Graham, ed. The Postmodern God: A Theological Reader. Oxford: Blackwell, 1997.
Witherington, Ben III. The Jesus Quest. 2d ed. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1997.
Wright, N. T. Jesus and the Victory of God. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1996.