TS502: Syllabus page 2
TS502: Syllabus Professor: Kyle A. Roberts
Winter Quarter, 2012 Phone: 651-638-6166
Bethel Seminary Email:
Traditional TA Name: Laine Gebhardt
TA Email:
Systematic Theology II
Course Description
An analysis of human nature both as it was created by God and as it exists in its present sinful state, and an investigation of the person of Jesus Christ and the provision of salvation through Christ’s work. Four hours.
Course Objectives
By the end of the course, each student will be able to:
1. Reflect critically, thoughtfully, and holistically on theological ideas and writings within each student’s own framework of Christian faith commitments.
2. Listen critically, empathetically, and openly to ideas and arguments of others.
3. State the fundamental issues involved in the doctrine of the person and work of Christ (Christology), the doctrine of salvation (Soteriology), the doctrine of humanity (Theological Anthropology), and the doctrine of sin (Harmartiology).
4. Explain how the doctrines of Christ, salvation, and humanity, and sin are integrated and interrelated in a holistic biblical, Christian theology.
5. Employ biblical, rational, imaginative, and doctrinally faithful reasoning to current issues in church and society.
6. Love and know God better by the power of the Spirit and because of the work of God in Christ.
Required Texts
Grenz, Stanley. Theology for the Community of God. Eerdmans, 2000. ISBN: 802847552
Karkkainen, Veli-Mati. Christology: A Global Introduction. Baker, 2003. ISBN: 801026210
Plantinga, Cornelius. Not the Way it’s Supposed to Be: A Breviary of Sin, Eerdmans,
1995, ISBN: 0802842186
Park, Andrew Sung.Triune Atonement: Christ's Healing for Sinners, Victims and the
Whole Creation.09. Westminster John Knox. ISBN: 0664233473
Recommended Texts
Green, Joel. Body, Soul and Human Life: The Nature of Humanity in the Bible, Baker, 2008, ISBN: 0801035953
Norris, Richard A. The Christological Controversy, Fortress, 1980, ISBN: 0800614119
O’Collins, Gerald. Christology: A Biblical, Historical and Systematic Study of Jesus, Oxford University Press, 200), ISBN: 019955787X
Sobrino, Jon. Jesus the Liberator: A Historical-Theological Reading of Jesus of Nazareth, Orbis, 1994, ISBN: 0883449307
Miscellaneous
· Inclusive Language. In accordance with Bethel Seminary policy, inclusive language must be used in class discussions and papers wherever possible and whenever appropriate.
· Office Hours: Wednesdays (I will post available times). Please call to set up a specific time. I am in the office most days; feel free to knock.
· Attendance policy. In accordance with the Bethel Catalog policy, class attendance is required. One excused absence only is allowed. If the absence is not the result of an emergency, the student should notify the professor before the class session to be missed. Each unexcused absence may result in a grade deduction (Each full-class absence may result in a full-letter grade deduction while each half-class absence may result in a half-letter grade deduction). Three full-class unexcused absences will result in the student failing the course. Note: While there is an attendance/participation component of the course grade, this policy makes clear that it is possible to receive a deduction of more than the 15% allocated to participation and attendance
· Classroom etiquette. Please turn off or silence cell phones prior to entering the classroom. In order to promote full class participation, tape recorders are discouraged.
· Plagiarism will result in failure of that paper, project or test and will be reported to the Student Life committee.
· Academic Course Policies: Please familiarize yourself with the catalog requirements as specified in Academic Course Policies document found on the Registrar's website at: https://bethelnet.bethel.edu/ureg/bssp/acp/. You are responsible for this information, and any academic violations, such as plagiarism, will not be tolerated.
· Late Work Policy. In accordance with the Bethel catalog and standard of expectations regarding submission of work, all assignments are expected to be submitted on or before the date listed in the syllabus. Late submissions may be accepted but they will be subject to grade deductions of up to one letter grade per each day late. This means that a late assignment which otherwise would merit an A might receive a B, a B could go to a C, etc.
Course Requirements
Course Attendance and Participation
This course will be approached seminar-style. This means that significant class time will be devoted to critical discussion and evaluation of required readings. Consistent attendance and full participation is expected and required. Your final grade may be affected in light of the attendance policy (noted above).
Course Evaluation
Student course assessments are an important part of course development and enhancement. In order to recognize the value of your input and to encourage you to provide that input. Completing the course evaluation at the end of this course is included as a component of class participation. While your responses are anonymous, failure to submit an electronic evaluation will reduce your course grade by 2%. For any questions regarding the course evaluation process, please go to: https://bethelnet.bethel.edu/ureg/bssp/eval_index.
Reading Assignments (10 %)
Each week you will need to submit a report of the percentage of reading completed on time (meaning the reading was completed prior to the class session in which it was due). The professor will explain the process for submitting those reports.
Attendance and Participation (10%)
Your personal, active participation in the course is essential, not only to your own theological development and formation, but also to that of your colleagues. You should come to class prepared to contribute both to large group and small group class discussions. The nature of students’ contributions vary, depending on academic background, vocational goals, and personal interests in the subject matter. But everyone’s participation is equally valued and equally desired. Note: it is possible to lose more than 10% of your final grade due to low attendance (see attendance requirement above).
Plantinga Review (20%)
Compose a 4-5 page (1000-1250 words) review of Plantinga’s book, Not the Way it’s Supposed to Be. Describe and assess Plantinga’s view of sin. Where does his view of sin depart from, or build on, the “traditional” view of sin? Do you agree with his perspective? Where do you disagree, and why? What would be the implications for his theology of sin for the mission of the church and the Christian life today?
Grading criterion:
The criterion I will use to grade this paper is (1) Adequacy of understanding and communicating the thesis/argument of the book. (2) Sophistication of critique and depth of insight and (3) Grammar/spelling/writing style.
Karkkainen Research Paper (30%)
This paper will enable you to pursue in more depth and detail a theologian or a “school” of Christology presented in Karkkainen’s book. The text Christology: A Global Introduction opens up a number of possible avenues for exploration. Choose a theologian mentioned in his book and write a research paper in which you detail his/her Christological views and pursue a particular line of questioning or develop a single theme.
The paper should be 8-10 pages (2000-2500 words), double-spaced, and should have 8-10 sources in the bibliography.
Communication (Ethos): 10 points
Does the paper contain:
- A clear introduction and thesis question? (the issue you are going to research/pursue)
- A logical, coherent and consistent argument?
- A clear, concise and lucid presentation? (includes spelling, grammar, and syntax)
- A summary (even if tentative) conclusion supported by the argument
Content (Logos): 10 points
Does the paper demonstrate:
- Knowledge of issue(s) raised in the paper?
- Adequate understanding of theologies or theologians presented?
- Facility in interpretation and theological use of biblical material?
- Ability to reason critically, analyze carefully and reflect holistically?
Constructiveness (Pathos): 10 points
Does the paper reveal:
- Concern about the relevance of the issue/question for one’s personal, spiritual transformation
- Concern about the relevance of the issue/question for one’s vocation in the Church and for one’s ministry in the world
- An appreciation and concern for the traditions and tasks of theology
Credo Paper: Integrative Project (30%)
A final, integrative project will be due on the last day of the quarter. In this project you will demonstrate and apply your knowledge of three of the four primary topics covered in this class: (1) Christology (the person and work of Christ); (2) Soteriology (the doctrine of salvation); (3) Anthropology (the nature of humanity; and (4) Hamartiology (the doctrine of sin). You will write a “credo” (which means: “I believe”) statement supporting your (current) convictions regarding each of these important doctrines.
Toward the beginning of class you will be provided a study guide to assist in your preparation for and construction of this integrative project as well as more specific directions and expectations. Your project should be 2000-2500 words, which is approximately 8-10 pages, double-spaced (please include word-count).
Your project will be graded by the following criterion:
Communication (Ethos): 10 points
Does the project contain:
- A clear introduction and thesis question? (the issue you are going to research/pursue)
- A logical, coherent and consistent argument?
- A clear, concise and lucid presentation? (includes spelling, grammar, and syntax)
- A summary (even if tentative) conclusion supported by the argument
-
Content (Logos): 10 points
Does the project demonstrate:
- Knowledge of issue(s) raised?
- Adequate understanding of theologies or theologians presented?
- Mastery of the relevant required reading material
- Facility in interpretation of and theological use of relevant Biblical passages
- Ability to reason critically, analyze carefully and reflect holistically
Constructiveness (Pathos): 10 points
Does the project reveal:
- Concern about the relevance of the issue/question for one’s personal, spiritual transformation
- Concern about the relevance of the issue/question for one’s vocation in the Church and for one’s ministry in the world
- An appreciation and concern for the traditions and tasks of theology
- A respect for the authority of the Bible as “Scripture” in the task of theology
-
Note: This assignment has been identified as a required integrative assignment that you may wish to review and reference in future integrative coursework.
Instructions for submitting papers:
· On all your papers, please include a cover sheet with the following information: Your name, the date, and the title of the paper. Please use only Times 12-point font, 1-inch margins, and Chicago or Turabian style formatting. (Cf. The Chicago Manual of Style. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2003.; Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations: Chicago Style for Students and Researchers. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2007.) If there are any questions about this, please let me know.
· To submit all papers, please use the Assignments link via Moodle. The link will be provided under the “block” or unit of the week in which that assignment is due.
· Please submit your paper in a .docx or .doc format.
Grading
The final grade for the class will be a composite of the following: Attendance and Participation (10%), Reading (10%), Plantinga Review (20%), Karkkainen Research Paper (30%), and Credo Paper (30%). The final grade (possible 100 points) will be based on the following scale:
A 94-100 B- 80-83 D+ 67-69
A- 90-93 C+ 77-79 D 64-66
B+ 87-89 C 74-76 D- 60-63
B 84-86 C- 70-73 F 0-59
Course Schedule: Systematic Theology II
Roberts: Winter Quarter 2012 – Traditional
Themes / PreparationWeek One
Jan 9-15 / Introductory Issues
Theological Anthropology
Human Identity and Our Origin in God / Reading
Grenz, chps. 5-6
Week Two
Jan 16-22 / Theological Anthropology
Sin: The Destruction of Community and the Vandalism of Shalom / Reading
Grenz, chp. 7
Plantinga, chps. 1-4
Week Three
Jan 23-29 / Theological Anthropology
Sin / Reading
Plantinga, chps 5-7
Week Four
Jan 30-Feb. 5 / Theological Anthropology
Our Spiritual Co-Creators
Addiction / Reading
Grenz, chp. 8
Plantinga, chps. 8-10
Doing
Plantinga Book Review Due
(Feb 5)
Week Five
Feb. 6-12 / Christology
The Fellowship of Jesus the Christ with Humankind
Christ in the Bible / Reading
Grenz, chp. 9
Karkkainen, Part 1
Week Six
Feb. 13-19 / Christology
The Fellowship of Jesus the Christ with Humankind
Christ in History / Reading
Grenz, chp. 10
Karkkainen, Part 2
Week Seven
Feb. 20-26 / Christology
The Fellowship of Deity and Humanity in Jesus
Modern Western Christology / Reading
Grenz, chp. 11
Karkkainen, Part 3
Week Eight
Feb. 27-Mar. 4 / Christology
The Mission of Jesus
Postmodern, Feminist, Black Christologies, / Reading
Grenz, chp. 12
Karkkainen, Part 4
Week Nine
Mar. 5-11 / Salvation in Christ
The Scope of Salvation
Atonement theories / Reading
Grenz, chp. 16
Park, part 1
Doing
Karkkainen Research Paper Due (March 11)
Week Ten
Mar. 6-11 / Salvation in Christ
The Triune Atonement / Reading
Park, part 2
Week Eleven
Mar. 12-19 / Conclusions / Doing
Credo Paper Due (March 19)