Description: Contemporary focus on the relativity of perspective has stripped Christology of some modern epistemological “fig leaves.” This exposure has forced the focus of Christology back to its apostolic roots in confession and biblical genres in expression. This renewed focus has been manifested in Triune perspectives of Christian identity and witness. The unit gives attention to this shift in a context of modern challenges to Christian faith and theological opportunities for contemporary expressions of Christian identity and witness.

Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this unit, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Identify significant features of modern epistemologies, their challenges to Christian faith and perceived influences on expressions of Christology;
2. Develop interpretive approaches to apostolic sources for Christology with a triune focus and its expressions applicable to contemporary life.
3. Demonstrate a capacity to work with diverse biblical genres in giving expression to Christian identity and witness. (3^rd level)
4. Identify and articulate contemporary expressions of Christian identity and witness that are shaped by intentional focus on Christology and Trinity. (Graduate)

Faculty: S. Curkpatrick

Offered: 2011 Semester 2 at Mulgrave on Friday mornings 9.30am - 12.30pm


Pre-requisites:

     if taken as a CH unit

(2nd level) 15 points in Church History

(3rd level) 45 points in Church History
(Graduate) A foundational unit in Christian thought and history
    if taken as a CT unit
(2nd level) 15 points in SystematicTheology
(3rd level) 45 points in SystematicTheology
(Graduate) A foundational unit in Christian thought and history

Class Time: Three hours per week


Assessment:
      (2nd level)

Two 1250 word essays 50%
Four 500 word document studies 50%

(3rd level)

One 2500 word essay 50%
Four 650 word document studies 50%

(graduate)

One 3000 word essay 50%
Four 750 word document studies 50%

Select Bibliography:

Barth, K. The Word of God and the Word of Man. Trans. Douglas Horton. Gloucester, Mass.: Peter Smith, 1978.
Bockmuehl, M. Seeing the Word: Refocusing New Testament Study. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2006.Franke, J.R. Manifold Witness: The Plurality of Truth. Nashville TN: Abingdon, 2009.
Greene C.J.D. Christology in Cultural Perspective: Marking out the Horizons. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 2004.
Harnack, A. What is Christianity? trans. Thomas Bailey Saunders, 3^rd and rev. ed. London and New York: Williams and Norgate; G.P. Putman’s Sons, 1904.
Houlden, L. ed. Jesus: The Complete Guide. London: Continuum, 2005.
Jenson, R.W. Essays in Theology of Culture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans 1995.
Jenson, R.W. Systematic Theology Volume 1: The Triune God, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1997.
Jenson, R.W. Systematic Theology Volume II: The Works of God, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999.
Jüngel, E. God as the Mystery of the World: In the Foundation of the Theology of the Crucified One in the Dispute between Theism and Atheism, trans. Darrell L. Guder, Grand Rapids and Edinburgh: Eerdmans and T&T Clark, 1983.
Kierkegaard, S. Philosophical Fragments, ed. and trans. Howard V. Hong and Edna H. Hong. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1985.
Lohrey, A. Voting for Jesus: Christianity and Politics in Australia. Quarterly Essay 22. Melbourne: Black Inc, 2006.
Marion, J-L. Prolegomena to Charity, trans. Stephen E. Lewis, New York: Fordham University Press, 2002.
McGrath, A. Christianity’s Dangerous Idea: The Protestant Revolution. New York: HarperOne, 2007.
Newbigin, L. Lesslie Newbigin: Missionary Theologian; A Reader. Compiled and Introduced by Paul Weston. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 2006.
Polanyi, M. Personal Knowledge: Towards a Post-Critical Philosophy. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1974.
Renan, E. The Life of Jesus, San Diego, CA.: Book Tree, 2007.
Taylor, C. A Secular Age. Cambridge MA: The Belknap Press of Harvard University, 2007.
Toulmin, S. Cosmopolis: The Hidden Agenda of Modernity. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1990.
Tyrrell, G Christianity at the Cross-Roads (1910). Whitefish MT: Kessinger,2009.
Von Balthasar HU. Love Alone is Credible, trans. D.C. Schindler. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2004.