Introduction to Theology

Instructor: Dr. Jeremy Garber ( jgarber@iliff.edu )

Course Synopsis

This introduction to Christian theology will focus on systematic theology, that is, what are the traditional loci (topics or rubrics) that form a complete theological system, how do they fit together, and how does thinking them as a system influence theological thinking? We will look at how the Christian theological tradition provides resources for contemporary theology, including how understanding from non-Christian traditions and individualist spirituality intersect with the traditional areas of theology in constructive ways.

Required Texts

• B.A. Gerrish, Christian Faith: Dogmatics in Outline . Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2015. ISBN 978-0-664-25698-2.

• James Cone, The Cross and the Lynching Tree. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 2011. ISBN 978-1-62698-005-1.

• Anne Joh, Heart of the Cross. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2006. ISBN 978-0-664-23063-0.

Core Systematic Theology

Students must choose one of the following books to read as their primary text:

• Methodist Theology , Kenneth Wilson (Methodist)
• Theology in Outline , Robert Jenson (Lutheran)
• Sexism and God-Talk , Rosemary Radford Ruether (Roman Catholic/feminist)
• Radical Love: An Introduction to Queer Theology, Patrick S. Cheng (Asian/queer)
• Doctrine: Systematic Theology , vol. 2, James Wm. McClendon, Jr. (Anabaptist/free church)

An alternative core systematic theology may be used with approval by the instructor. It must be a systematic theology covering all the basic theological loci.

Course Overview

This introduction to Christian theology will focus on systematic theology, that is, what are the traditional loci (topics or rubrics) that form a complete theological system, how do they fit together, and how does thinking them as a system influence theological thinking? We will look at how the Christian theological tradition provides resources for contemporary theology, including how understandings from non-Christian traditions and individualist spirituality intersect with the traditional areas of theology in constructive ways.

 

Course Objectives

Professional Degree Learning Goals for Constructive Theology Area:

 

Constructive Theology (TH): critically engage historical and contemporary theological expressions of religious traditions and articulate one's own constructive theological position in relation to contemporary events and/or situations.

 

Learning Outcomes:

 

After taking this class, students will be able to:

1. Say, with authenticity, “Wow. I read, engaged, and analyzed some really interesting authors. Some were fun, some were a slog, but they pushed me to think and respond in ways I hadn’t yet.”
2. Articulate what some of the theological genres are that writers in the Christian tradition have developed.
3. Articulate what systematic theology is.
4. Speak knowledgably about some of the touchstones in the history of Christian thought in general and on Christology in particular.
5. Demonstrate awareness of what the traditional theological loci are (and say what a theological locus is), and see how the loci hang together.
6. Write academic papers with increased ability to formulate a claim and support it with apt textual evidence.

 

Due Dates: Assignments need to be turned in on the dates specified on the syllabus. Late assignments will lose one letter grade if not submitted by the date indicated. Students who do not complete any assignments during the first two weeks of class will not be able to pass the class and will be removed per the Masters Student Handbook.

Incompletes are not a possibility because of the rules about incompletes and adjunct faculty in the Masters’ Student Handbook.

Pass/Fail:  Students interested in taking the class pass/fail should discuss this with the instructor by January 11. In order to earn a Pass, students must perform at a level considered the equivalent of C or better.

Accommodations:  Iliff engages in a collaborative effort with students with disabilities to reasonably accommodate student needs.   Students are encouraged to contact their assigned academic 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.

Core Values:  All participants in this class are expected to be familiar with Iliff’s Core Values.

Academic Integrity:  All students are expected to abide by Iliff’s Academic Integrity Policy.