CT370.15 Christology without fig leaves: Christology for contemporary Christian identity and witness

Intensive unit for Master of Theological Studies

 

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. This intensive unit is designed for a cohort of experienced ministers.
 
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 faith and witness;
4. Identify and articulate contemporary expressions of Christian ministry and mission that are shaped by intentional focus on Christology and Trinity.

Assessment
Pre-intensive select reading review (1500 words) 25%
Two 750 word document studies 25%
Essay 2500 words 50%
The pre-intensive reading review is submitted at the commencement of the intensive; the document studies are prepared in draft form for presentation during the intensive and are the first assessment due post-intensive.
 
Prerequisites: A primary degree in theology and four years of experience in ministry.
 
Offered: Mid-semester 2, 2011 Seminar intensive over 5 days (on 26 – 30 September Mon 1.00 - 9.00, Tues 9.00 - 5.00pm Wed 9.00 - 9.00, Thurs 9.00 - 5.00pm, Fri 9.00 - 1.00pm)
 
Faculty: Stephen Curkpatrick
 
Recommended Reading:
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, 3rd 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.