John Mark Hicks

Lipscomb University

Hazelip School of Theology

Fall 2017

Mission of God I: God, Creation, and Israel

Course Description

This course integrates biblical, systematic, and historical theology. The course narrates the story of God as given in Scripture to equip the contemporary church for missional engagement with post-Christian culture. As an integrated theology, biblical-theological themes are considered in the context of Christian history and tradition within the frame of a narrative theology for the purposes of both personal and communal spiritual and missional formation. The first semester begins with the Triune God and concludes with the missional purpose of Israel. The second semester will begin with Christology and conclude with Eschatology.

Objectives

  1. Students will understand the major theological themes and historic emphases of the Christian faith that arise from the narrative of the Scripture.
  2. Students will engage in a dialogue about the nature of missional life and practice in the context of Christian theology.
  3. Students will integrate theology and ministry in practical ways in their local pastoral settings.
  4. Students will engage in formative practices that reflect theological engagement within the Christian tradition.

Textbooks [Total Reading Required for Semester = 800 pages]

These texts are for both semesters of Mission of God (Fall and Spring).

Baker-Fletcher, Karen. Dancing with God: The Trinity from a Womanist Perspective. St. Louis: Chalice Press, 2006. (100 pages this semester)

Barth, Karl. Dogmatics in Outline. SCM Press, 2011 (reprint). (70 pages this semester)

Gonzalez, Justo L. Manana: Christian Theology from a Hispanic Perspective. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1990.(65 pages this semester)

McGrath, Alister E.,The Christian TheologyReader, 5th edition. New York: Wiley-Blackwell, 2016. (selected readings: 150 pages this semester).

Olson, Roger E.The Mosaic of Christian Belief: Twenty Centuries of Unity & Diversity. Downers Grove: Inter-Varsity Press, 2016. (175 pages this semester)

Ware, Kallistos Ware. The Orthodox Way. Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimirs Seminary, 1995. (59 pages this semester)

Assorted articles and blogs provided online through Blackboard.

Assignments

1. Reading.

Students will read a total of 800 pages throughout the semester. Readings are assigned for (1) the first week of class, (2) the six weeks of online discussion, and (3) the intensive week. Students are expected to read these assignments before the class meets and before online assignments are due.

2. Online Threaded Discussion on Blackboard (15% of the grade)

  1. We will engage in Blackboard discussions over eight periods. From August 28- October 20 the class will discuss theological readings (about 500 pages). The assignments are detailed on Blackboard, which you may access through mycampus.lipscomb.edu.
  1. Each week students with author three posts.
  1. The student will respond to a theological/historical question about the reading (at least 150 words), and respond to at least one other student’s and/or Professor’s response. The original post is due Tuesday 11:59pm every week and the response is due Friday 11:59pm every week but must not be posted before Tuesday 11:59pm.
  2. The student will ask the Professor a question about the reading to which the Professor will respond (at least 50 words). This must be posted by Wednesday 11:59pm every week.
  3. Each week the student will choose one or two sentences from two different authors in the McGrath’s readings and post those sentences on Blackboard. You must state in a couple of lines what you thought was significant or helpful about those statements. This must be posted by Thursday 11:59pm every week.

3. Written Assignment.Late assignments are downgraded by 1/3 of a letter grade per day late. Please submit all assignments through the “Assignment” menu on the Blackboard.

  1. Concise Statement of Faith: The Mission of God: From Creation to Israel (900-100 words). Write this statement as a personal confession, perhaps one that was requested by a community of believers who ask you for a statement of your own faith commitments.The statement should cover these topics: Triune God, creation, anthropology, Israel, providence and suffering, and the nature of Scripture. Next semester you will write about Christology through Eschatology. Consequently, do not cover those topics this semester. (15% of grade) Due November 3 @ 11:59pm.
  1. Theological Traditions: write a800-1000 word reflection on Baker-Fletcher, Gonzalez, ORWare in terms of their distinctive approaches. What did you find helpful in the trajectory of that particular tradition?(15% of grade) Due November 10 @ 11:59pm
  1. Psalm reflections: one brief homily/sermonor blogwith a concludingliturgical prayer (900-1000 words). Develop the theology of the Psalm in the light of what you have learned from the Great Tradition or reading various theologians this semester. Choose from the following for your topic. (15% of grade) Due November 17 @ 11:59pm.
  1. Psalm 8 and human identity, dignity, and vocation.
  2. Psalm 19 and divine revelation.
  3. Psalm 72, Kingship, and Israel among the nations.
  4. Psalm 1 and Two Paths of Life.
  5. Psalm 139 and God’s Relationship with Humanity.
  6. Psalm 99 and the Holiness of God.
  7. Psalm 33 and a Theology of Creation.
  8. Either Psalm 14 or Psalm 51 and a Theology of Sin.
  9. Either Psalm 105 or 106 as a Narrative Theology of Israel.
  10. Psalm 88 and a theology/practice of lament.
  1. Expanded Statement of Faith: Choose one topicfrom the following list. Articulate a cogent and coherent statement of faith regarding the topic that serves as an introduction to a discussion of the topic by a small group (1300-1500 words each). Choose a single biblical text and focus your statement in the context of exegesis, theological reflection, and Christian tradition (20% of your grade). Due December 1 @ 11:59pm
  1. Trinity.
  2. The Good and Dynamic Nature of Creation.
  3. The Transcendence and Immanence of God.
  4. Humanity and the Image of God
  5. Human Vocation: Kingdom Work in a “Secular” Environment.
  6. The Nature of Sin
  7. Providence and Suffering
  8. Ecology and the Mission of God.
  9. The Function of Scripture
  10. Israel and the Mission of God.
  1. Ministry Project: Describe a present ministry in your practicum and offer a theological justification for it. How is this ministry rooted in and reflective of the mission of God? What theological question does the practicum raise? What questions have bubbled up in your ministry? Why is it important to connect theology and practice? Develop this paper with your practicum mentor, discuss it with him or her, and then share the completed assignment. Use 900-1000 words. (20% of your grade.)Due December 8 @ 11:59pm.

Grading:

A = 92-100B = 79-91C = 65-78

Contacting the Professor:

Dr. John Mark Hicks

615-966-5725

Course Learning Objectives

Objectives / How Delivered / How Assessed / Goals
Understand theological themes and historic emphasis of Christian tradition / Readings, lecture, online discussions / Course interaction, online posts, written projects / Successful identification in written projects
Engage in dialogue about the nature of missional life and practice in the light of Christian theology / Readings, lecture, online discussions / Verbal assessments, online posts, written projects / Successful identification in written projects
Integrate theology and ministry in a pastoral or ministerial setting. / Practicum, written assignments / Written projects / Successful identification in written projects
Engage in formative practices that reflect theological engagement with the Christian tradition / Readings, lecture, written assignments / Written projects / Successful identification in written projects

Academic Integrity Policy

Because Lipscomb’s primary mission is to integrate Christian faith and practice with academic excellence, integrity is important in this course. As your instructor, I will deal with each student fairly and honestly. As participants in the course of study, you are expected to do your own work on all assignments unless I indicate that collaboration is allowed on a specific assignment. Penalties for integrity violations will range from failure on the assignment involved to failure in the course. The instructor also reserves the right to report violations to members of the administration. For clarification, refer to the University’s Code of Conduct and Academic Integrity Policy (see

Course Plan

Opening Week

August 21-25: Introduction to the Missio Dei (3 hours)

Reading: Olson, chs. 1-2; Hermeneutical Foundations (JMH); Function of Theology (JMH)

Online Component

Aug 28-Sep 1 Trinity See reading assignments on Blackboard

Sep 4-8 God and CreationSee reading assignments on Blackboard

Sep 11-15CreationSee reading assignments on Blackboard

Sep 18-22 HumanitySee reading assignments on Blackboard

Sep 25-29SinSee reading assignments on Blackboard

Oct 2-6 IsraelSee reading assignments on Blackboard

Oct 9-13 ProvidenceSee reading assignments on Blackboard

Oct 16-20ScriptureSee reading assignments on Blackboard

Intensive Week

No Assigned Readings for the Week

Assignment Completions

  1. Mission of God: From Creation to Israel (Nov. 3).
  2. Theological Traditions (Nov. 10).
  3. Psalm Reflection (Nov. 17).
  4. Expanded Statement of Faith (Dec. 1).
  5. Ministry Project (Dec. 8).

Selected Bibliography: Recent Systematic Theologies

Classical Christianity

Oden, Thomas C. Classic Christianity: A Systematic Theology. New York: HarperCollins, 1992.

Reformed Theology

Horton, Michael. The Christian Faith: A Systematic Theology for Pilgrims On the Way. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2011.

Reymond, Robert L. A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith. Nashville: Thomas B. Nelson, 1998.

Classic Arminianism

Forlines, F. Leroy.The Quest for Truth: Answering Life’s Inescapable Questions. Nashville: Randall House, 2001.

US Evangelical Theology

Erickson, Millard J. Christian Theology. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1985.

US Charismatic Theology

Williams, J. Rodman. Renewal Theology: God, the World & Redemption. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1988.

Evangelical Neo-Orthodoxy

Donald G. Bloesch, Essentials of Evangelical Theology, 2 vols. New York: Harper & Row, 1982.

Postliberal Theology

Migliore, Daniel L. Faith Seeking Understanding: An Introduction to Christian Theology. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2004.

Post-Evangelical or Post-Conservative Theology

Grenz, Stanley. Theology for the Community of God. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1994.

Fackre, Gabriel. The Christian Story: A Narrative Interpretation of Basic Christian Doctrine. 3rded. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996.

McClendon, James William, Jr. Systematic Theology, 3 vols. Nashville: Abingdon, 1986.

Stone-Campbell Theology (Christian Churches and Churches of Christ)

Cottell, Jack. The Faith Once for All: Bible Doctrine for Today. Joplin, MO: College Press, 2002.

Panentheistic (Disciples of Christ Version)

Williamson, Clark M. Way of Blessing, Way of Life: A Christian Theology. St. Louis, MO: Chalice Press, 1999.

Joe Jones, A Grammar of the Christian Faith: Systematic Explorations in Christian Life and Doctrine, 2 vols. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2002.

Rational-Historical Approach to Theology

Pannenberg, Wolfhart. Systematic Theology, 3 vols. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998.

Liberationist Theology(Jurgen Moltmann—Fortress Press Series)

Moltmann, Jurgen. Theology of Hope.

Moltmann, Jurgen. Trinity and the Kingdom.

Moltmann, Jurgen. Crucified God.

Moltmann, Jurgen. God in Creation.

Moltmann, Jurgen. The Church in the Power of the Spirit.

Moltmann, Jurgen. The Coming of God: Christian Eschatology (Augsburg, 2004).

African-American Theology (James Cone).

Cone, James. God of the Oppressed.

Cone, James. A Black Theology of Liberation.

Cone, James. The Spirituals and the Blues.

Cone, James. The Cross and the Lynching Tree.

Feminist Theology

Reuther, Rosemary. Sexism and God Talk: Toward a Feminist Theology (Beacon Press, 1983).

Fiorenza, Elisabeth. In Memory of Her: A Feminist Theological Reconstruction of Christian Origins (Crossroad, 1994).

Eastern Orthodox Theoogy

Louth, Andrew. Introducing Eastern Orthodox Theology. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2013.

Meyebdorff, John. Byzantine Theology: Historical Trends and Doctrinal Themes. New York: Fordham Press, 1979.

Pomazansky, Michael. Orthodox Dogmatic Theology. Platina, CA: St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood, 2015.

Schmemann, Alexander. For the Life of the World: Sacraments and Orthodoxy. Crestwood, NY: St. Vadimier’s Seminary Press, 1973.

Ware, Kallistos, The Orthodox Way. Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 1979.

Zizioulas, John D. Lectures in Christian Dogmatics. London: T. & T. Clark, 2009.