Constructive Theology

Instructor: Dr. David N. Scott

Teaching Assistant: Dr. Elizabeth R. Coody

Introduction to the Course

Course Details

Course Overview

This course provides an introduction to the content and tasks of Christian theology.  It explores the discipline's varying criteria, methods and substantive proposals on what it has often taken to be the fundamental human questions.  The primary purpose of the course is to enable students to develop a systematic statement of their own theological perspective.  Key considerations in the production of this statement include: (1) its clarity, coherence, and capacity to illuminate experience; (2) its relationship to the resources and limitations of particular historical traditions and social locations; (3) its relationship to alternative perspectives; (4) the manner in which doctrines mutually inform and operate in conjunction with one another; and (5) its implications in terms of social and personal praxis.

 

Course Requirements (At a Glance)

Attendance/Participation - 30%

Short Paper Presentation - 15%

Profile of a Christian Theologian - 15%

Theological Position Paper - 40%

 

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:

  1. Imaginatively engage the substantive proposals of Christian theology by carefully examining its classical and contemporary content, tasks, and methods. 
  2. Identify and explain issues currently shaping theological debate.
  3. Consider the alternatives to a proposed approach to theology and recognize when the theological question under consideration needs to be restated or perhaps even rejected.
  4. Apply theoretical considerations to history or practice.
  5. Articulate a critical and carefully reasoned statement of one's own theological perspective with sensitivity to the systematic connections between doctrines.
  6. Understand and articulate theological perspectives other than one's own with accuracy and generosity.

Class Participation and Attendance (30% of grade):  The discipline of theology is not merely a study of the history of certain ideas.  More importantly, it is an ongoing conversation among persons who are committed to addressing theological problems and taking up continually questions about what it means to live faithfully in the context of day-to-day life.  For that reason, active engagement in online discussions and full attendance during Gathering Days are two essential components of this course. Both the quality and depth of theological conversation depend heavily on the voices involved.  Students should enter into online discussions and come to in-class sessions having read all the assigned readings for that day and having thoughtfully considered the ideas and arguments presented in those readings. There are more comments regarding class participation above in the section "Policies on Academic and Classroom Integrity."

Further instructions about the basic mechanics of online conversations may be found in the “Course Rhythm” of the Canvas homepage.

 

Short Paper Presentations (15% of grade):  Each student will electronically submit a brief paper that critically engages one of the assigned readings for a particular week of the course.  Submission of these papers will begin in Week 2. In roughly 3 double-spaced pages, the student must:

These papers will serve to focus and stimulate class discussion of the assigned readings.  The instructor will grade each paper according to the accuracy of its presentation of the chosen reading, the quality of its analysis, and its own clarity and organization.  As part of the process of organizing the submission presentations, students should make their contribution to the electronic sign-up sheet on Canvas at their earliest convenience. 

Further instructions about when these papers must be submitted and how other students ought to engage them may be found in the “Course Rhythm” section of the Canvas homepage. 

 

Profile of a Christian Theologian (15% of grade):  Because this is an introductory course that is structured topically, the assigned readings do not come close to representing every significant theologian or theological school that the syllabus might reasonably include, nor is there the opportunity to dive deeply into the life's work of any individual theologian.  In an effort to counterbalance these restrictions, each student will be required to compose and electronically submit a profile of a Christian theologian whose career began after 1900 CE.  Submission of these profiles begin in Week 6, with 3-4 presentations being presented each week. The profile may take the form of a paper (roughly 3 double-spaced pages in length), an audio or video presentation (no longer than 8 minutes in length), or a brief PowerPoint presentation.  Students who choose to submit their profile as some form of media presentation are encouraged to contact the instructor to confirm that what they are planning is appropriate to the assignment. Whatever its format, the content of the profile must include information from these three areas:

Presentations will be evaluated according to how effectively they provide information and analysis of the chosen theologian's thought and method.  Students are free to choose which primary and secondary sources to consult when composing this profile.  Whatever resources one chooses, some form of Works Cited page needs to included, whether it be an additional page in a typed document, the final image of a visual presentation, or a list of resources stated at the end of an audio file.  Any well-known citation format is acceptable (Chicago, MLA, APA, etc.), as long as its use is consistent.  When choosing a theologian, students ought to browse the texts listed above under "Recommended Resources."  As part of the process of organizing these presentations, students should make their contribution to the electronic sign-up sheet on Canvas at their earliest convenience.  

 

Theological Position Paper (40% of grade):  The culminating project of this course is a term paper in which the student makes a substantive statement about the nature and practice of theology and articulates a critical theological statement that addresses one or more of the topics the course has covered.   This theological position paper must be 8-10 double-spaced pages in length and consists of two parts:

  1. God and Creation: What is God's relationship to the world? How ought "God" and "world" be defined? In what sense is God the "Creator" of the world?  What reasons are there to hold on to the doctrines of God and Creation in the face of secular or scientific understandings of the world that exclude them?
  2. Theological Anthropology: Answer the question, "What does it mean to be human?"  How does the doctrine of the imago Dei inform this matter?  What is the content of that doctrine?  Is a "person" something distinct from a human being?  How does the life of Jesus Christ reveal true humanity?  In formulating a proposal, address at least one of these dimensions of human existence: physical ability, cognitive ability, race, gender, sexuality, class.
  3. Sin, Evil, and Redemption: Does the doctrine of sin still have a place in Christian theology? Why or why not?  What conceptual difference is there, if any, between the ideas of sin and evil?  In theological terms, what does it means to be redeemed from sin and/or evil?  What role does Jesus Christ play in this redemption?
  4. Spirit: Describe and analyze the idea that God is spirit. How ought theologians understand the faith claims that God's spirit dwells in us or among us?  What is the "Holy Spirit?"  Should some version or parallel of the Trinitarian distinctions between Father, Son, and Spirit be maintained? Explain why or why not.
  5. Eschatology: Should Christian theology conceive of history or the life of the world as heading toward a specific end? If so, what sort of end is it?  What place, if any, does the doctrine of Providence hold in eschatology?  What is the proper nature and content of Christian hope?

 

This paper must be submitted by 12:00 pm on Friday, June 2ndNo exceptions.


Week 1 – Definitions, Sources and Tasks of Christian Theology

 

Week 2 - God and Revelation

SHORT PAPER PRESENTATIONS BEGIN

 

Week 3 - Creation and Sin & Evil

 

Week 4 - Theological Anthropology: Introductory Considerations

 

Week 5 - *Gathering Days* - Theological Anthropology: Embodiment and Abilities

April 26th

April 27th

 

Week 6 - Theological Anthropology: Gender and Sexuality

THEOLOGIAN PROFILE PRESENTATIONS BEGIN

 

Week 7 - Theological Anthropology: Race and Ethnicity

  

Week 8 - Jesus Christ and Redemption

 

Week 9 - Church and Spirit

 

Week 10 - Eschatology and the God of Hope

 

Degree Learning Goals: Please take some time to look over the Professional Degree Learning Goals (MDiv, MASC, MAPSC) and the Academic Degree Learning Goals (MTS, MA).

Incompletes:  If incompletes are allowed in this course, see the Master's Student Handbook for Policies and Procedures.

Pass/Fail:  Masters students wishing to take the class pass/fail should discuss this with the instructor by the second class session.

Academic Integrity and Community Covenant:  All students are expected to abide by Iliff’s statement on Academic Integrity, as published in the Masters Student Handbook, or the Joint PhD Statement on Academic Honesty, as published in the Joint PhD Student Handbook, as appropriate.  All participants in this class are expected to be familiar with Iliff’s Community Covenant.

Accommodations:  Iliff engages in a collaborative effort with students with disabilities to reasonably accommodate student needs.   Students are encouraged to contact their assigned advisor to initiate the process of requesting accommodations.  The advising center can be contacted at advising@iliff.edu or by phone at 303-765-1146. 

Writing Lab:  Grammar and organization are important for all written assignments.  Additional help is available from the Iliff Writing Lab, which is available for students of any level who need help beginning an assignment, organizing thoughts, or reviewing a final draft. 

Inclusive Language:  It is expected that all course participants will use inclusive language in speaking and writing, and will use terms that do not create barriers to classroom community. 

 

Policy on Collegial Integrity: Proper online and in-class participation consists of contributions that facilitate the stated objectives for this course, especially objectives 5 and 6.  The purpose of our learning community is to equip each student to articulate a theological perspective and to demonstrate understanding and generosity toward each of our peers, not in the absence of disagreement and passion, but in the midst of them.  Accomplishing this purpose demands that all students do their best to discipline themselves concerning the content, frequency, and spirit of what they say:

 


Degree Learning Goals: Please take some time to look over the Professional Degree Learning Goals (MDiv, MASC, MAPSC) and the Academic Degree Learning Goals (MTS, MA).

Incompletes:  If incompletes are allowed in this course, see the Master's Student Handbook for Policies and Procedures.

Pass/Fail:  Masters students wishing to take the class pass/fail should discuss this with the instructor by the second class session.

Academic Integrity and Community Covenant:  All students are expected to abide by Iliff’s statement on Academic Integrity, as published in the Masters Student Handbook, or the Joint PhD Statement on Academic Honesty, as published in the Joint PhD Student Handbook, as appropriate.  All participants in this class are expected to be familiar with Iliff’s Community Covenant.

Accommodations:  Iliff engages in a collaborative effort with students with disabilities to reasonably accommodate student needs.   Students are encouraged to contact their assigned advisor to initiate the process of requesting accommodations.  The advising center can be contacted at advising@iliff.edu or by phone at 303-765-1146. 

Writing Lab:  Grammar and organization are important for all written assignments.  Additional help is available from the Iliff Writing Lab, which is available for students of any level who need help beginning an assignment, organizing thoughts, or reviewing a final draft. 

Inclusive Language:  It is expected that all course participants will use inclusive language in speaking and writing, and will use terms that do not create barriers to classroom community. 

 

Policy on Collegial Integrity: Proper online and in-class participation consists of contributions that facilitate the stated objectives for this course, especially objectives 5 and 6.  The purpose of our learning community is to equip each student to articulate a theological perspective and to demonstrate understanding and generosity toward each of our peers, not in the absence of disagreement and passion, but in the midst of them.  Accomplishing this purpose demands that all students do their best to discipline themselves concerning the content, frequency, and spirit of what they say:

 

Required Texts

Serene Jones and Paul Lakeland, eds.  Constructive Theology: A Contemporary     Approach to Classical Themes. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2005. ISBN-13: 978-0800636838.

Laurel C. Schneider and Stephen G. Ray, Jr., eds. Awake to the Moment: An Introduction to Theology. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2016. ISBN-13: 978-0664261887.

*All other assigned readings will be made available through Canvas.*

 

Recommended Resources

These texts are part of the Ira J. Taylor Library reference collection

Patrick W. Carey and Joseph T. Leinhard, eds.  Biographical Dictionary of Christian Theologians.  Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2000.

Justo L. González.  Essential Theological Terms.  Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2005.

Donald K. McKim. Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms, 2nd Edition.  Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2014.

Ian A. McFarland, et al., eds.  The Cambridge Dictionary of Christian Theology.  Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2014.

Donald W. Musser and Joseph L. Price, eds.  New and Enlarged Handbook of Christian Theology. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 2003.

 

These texts may be found in the stacks of the Ira J. Taylor Library

Rebecca S. Chopp and Mark Lewis Taylor, eds.  Reconstructing Christian Theology.  Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1994.

David Ford and Rachel Muers, eds.  The Modern Theologians: An Introduction to Christian Theology Since 1918, 3rd edition.  Madden, MA: Blackwell Publishers, 2005.

Peter C. Hodgson and Robert H. King, eds.  Christian Theology: An Introduction to Its Traditions and Tasks. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1994.

Ed. L. Miller and Stanley Grenz.  Fortress Introduction to Contemporary Theologies. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1998.

Donald W. Musser and Joseph L. Price, eds.  A New Handbook of Christian Theologians. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1996.


Week 1 – Definitions, Sources and Tasks of Christian Theology

 

Week 2 - God and Revelation

SHORT PAPER PRESENTATIONS BEGIN

 

Week 3 - Creation and Sin & Evil

 

Week 4 - Theological Anthropology: Introductory Considerations

 

Week 5 - *Gathering Days* - Theological Anthropology: Embodiment and Abilities

April 26th

April 27th

 

Week 6 - Theological Anthropology: Gender and Sexuality

THEOLOGIAN PROFILE PRESENTATIONS BEGIN

 

Week 7 - Theological Anthropology: Race and Ethnicity

  

Week 8 - Jesus Christ and Redemption

 

Week 9 - Church and Spirit

 

Week 10 - Eschatology and the God of Hope

 





By the end of the course, this page will contain all of the Theologian Profile Presentations that students have submitted throughout the quarter. Starting in Week 6, new presentations will be added to "The Gallery" each week. Every student will eventually have access to every other student's presentation. This way, all of us can benefit from the class's collective research and analysis. The presentations are organized alphabetically, according to the last name of the theologian profiled.

Please keep these two things in mind:

1) Groups 1 & 2 filled out their respective presentations schedules independent of one another. Therefore, several theologians are the subject of two separate presentations. In these instances, the instructors will wait until both presentations have been submitted and make them available at the same time. 

2) As with the Short Papers, the instructors will post these presentations in precisely the form they have been submitted. Accordingly, you will want to practice a blend of appreciation, generosity, and critical evaluation as you go through a particular presentation, much like you would engage a blog or Wikipedia article. Although this page lacks a mechanism for discussing the presentations with one another, students are definitely encouraged to dialogue informally with one another about these materials or make relevant references to them in future discussion forums.

Enjoy!

 

Karl Barth
by Toni Chance & Ben Weger

Dietrich Bonhoeffer
by Celeste Callahan & Lynne Tabb

Emil Brunner
by Ken Jarrell

James Cone
by Christine Dance

Mary Daly
by Janet Mulroy & Dee Torell

James Gustafson
by Jason Miller

Gustavo Gutierrez
by Larry Watchorn & 

Matthew David Morris (Morris Bibliography

Carl F. H. Henry
by Julie King

Ada Maria Isasi-Diaz
by Debra Stinnett

Sallie McFague
by Amy Lythgoe

Jurgen Moltmann
by Steve Jones

Reinhold Niebuhr
by David Petty

Karl Rahner
by Andrew Stinnett

Paul Ricoeur
by Skip Murphy

Rosemary Radford Ruether
by Amy Morehous

Howard Thurman
by Mallory Everhart & Kirt Hodges

Paul Tillich
by Dorcia Johnson & Nikki Kranzler-Gacke

Desmond Tutu
by David Clark & Penny Seay

Cornel West
by Candace Datz & Andrew Finch

Delores Williams
by Debbie Upton

 




Course Rhythm

We hope that having a clear rhythm will help you plan your time in the course more easily. Keep yourself to a regular rhythm as suits your schedule to avoid getting lost. Let us know if you have questions.

Monday Night (6 pm MT/by 8 pm EST): Starting in Week 2, students will submit a Short Paper Presentation based on one of the assigned readings for that week. (See your group's sign up sheet.) The papers of a given week must be submitted to the instructor electronically by the above time on Monday. For example, Week 2 papers are due on 4/3, Week 3 papers on 4/10, and so on.

Beginning in Week 6, Theologian Profile Presentations must also be submitted to the instructor by this day and time. (Again, see your group's sign up sheet.)

Tuesday Mornings: The week's discussion forums are officially open. The instructor will make that week's Short Paper Presentations available as part of the prompt for each forum. A typical week involves two presentations and thus two discussion forums.

Thursday Nights (11:59 pm MT/by 1:59 am EST ): First discussion post (i.e. parent post ) due. Parent posts need to be about 250 words, but no more than 400 words. Students must offer an initial response to each Short Paper Presentation posted that week. Strong posts will directly engage statements made in the short paper, while also making relevant references to aspects of the assigned readings that paper might not cover.

Sunday Night (by 11:59 pm MT/1:59 am EST ): Discussion responses due. After having considered all the parent posts, each student must provide at least two additional responses per forum.

Monday Night: Weekly Wrap-up. The instructor will post some sort of response (either video, audio or text announcement) giving an overview of or reaction to the preceding week of discussion.

Week 5 Exception (Gathering Days):
There will be no online discussion forums or short paper presentations during the last full week of April. There will still be assigned readings, but the work we do with that material will take place in face-to-face sessions on April 26th (1-5 pm) and April 27th (8 am-Noon). Our regular course rhythm will resume with Week 6.

Syllabus as a Word Document
Constructive Theology Spring 2017 Syllabus (Final Draft).docx

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