Theology and Ethics
Faculty: C.K. Bellinger, D.J. Gouwens, N. Kang
Christian Theology
CHTH 60013 INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY I An introduction to theological methods and language and to the central teachings of the Christian faith. Attention is given to both doctrinal development and major contemporary theologians and theological movements. Covers prolegomena and the doctrines of God, the Trinity, Creation, and Theodicy.
CHTH 60023 INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY II Prerequisite: CHTH 60013 An introduction to theological methods and language and to the central teachings of the Christian faith. Attention is given to both doctrinal development and major contemporary theologians and theological movements. Covers the doctrines of Christology, Pneumatology, Theological Anthropology, Ecclesiology, and Eschatology.
CHTH 60033 INTRODUCTION TO CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY Introduction to the central teachings of the Christian faith as formulated by contemporary theologians from various traditions, and to theology as one way the church reflects critically on its tradition, identity and message.
CHTH 60053 INTRODUCTION TO THE HISTORY OF THEOLOGY Reading, discussion, and written analysis of some of the key texts in the history of theology. The class will focus on developing skills in understanding and responding to a variety of theological texts and contexts.
CHTH 70013/80013/90013 POSTCOLONIAL THEOLOGIES This course is to explore the intellectual and historical background of postcolonial discourse and to examine the ways in which theologians address issues of postcolonialism and the theological issues in their thinking. By the end of this course, the students will normally understand different approaches to issues of postcolonialism, be able to investigate conceptions of theological issues in postcolonialism, and understand how religion and its theological discourse are implicated in geopolitical and cultural strategies of postcolonialism.?
CHTH 70023/80023/90023 THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THEOLOGY Masters prerequisite: one 60000-level Christian Theology course or equivalent. A specific doctrine (God, Christ, Humanity, Church or Eschatology) is selected each semester for study and reconstruction in the light of biblical, historical and contemporary theological perspectives. (May be repeated for credit under different topics for up to 9 credit hours.)
CHTH 70033/80033/90033 CHRISTIAN THOUGHT AND WESTERN PHILOSOPHY Masters prerequisite: one 60000-level Christian Theology course or equivalent. An introduction to the philosophy of religion by way of a survey of the main types of thought that have had a vital influence on Christian thought.
CHTH 70043/80043/90043 BLACK THEOLOGIES Masters prerequisite: one 60000-level Christian Theology course or one 60000-level Black Church Studies course or equivalent. This course will review the historical development of the Black Theology movement. Through a close reading of early texts of the movement and a review of the social context within which it arose, the seminar participants will be invited to a full engagement with this theological tradition. It will be our purpose to identify not only the discrete contours of the movement, but also to identify its place in late twentieth century theological discourse.
CHTH 70053/80053/90053 SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY Masters prerequisite: one 60000-level Christian Theology course or equivalent. The constructive interpretation of theology; the dynamics of Christian faith and the basic unity of its theological affirmations.
CHTH 70063/80063/90063 MAIN THEMES IN THE HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE Masters prerequisite: one 60000-level Christian Theology or Church History course or the equivalent. An examination of the key issues in the development of Christian doctrine: Trinity, Christology, Sin and Grace, Sacraments, Justification and Sanctification, Encounter with the Modern World.
CHTH 70113/80113/90113 SURVEY OF CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY FROM BAPTIST PERSPECTIVES An exploration of Christian theology with special reference to the faith statements, confessions, and contemporary writings of Baptist traditions.
CHTH 70203/80203/90203 MAJOR ISSUES IN CONTEMPORARY THEOLOGY Masters prerequisite: one 60000-level Christian Theology course or the equivalent. Current movements, areas of controversy and fresh thinking in the life and thought of the church.
CHTH 70213/80213/90213 SPIRITUAL THEMES IN LITERATURE An investigation of spiritual themes in the literary works of such writers as C.S. Lewis, Nikos Kazantzakis or others. (May be repeated for credit under different topics for up to 9 credit hours.) See WRSP 70213.
CHTH 70233/80233/90233 MODERN CHRISTIAN THOUGHT: 1790 TO THE PRESENT Masters prerequisite: one 60000-level Christian Theology course or equivalent. A survey of the major developments in modern Christian theology from the Enlightenment to the present.
CHTH 70243/80243/90243 TWENTIETH-CENTURY THEOLOGIES Masters prerequisite: one 60000-level Christian Theology course or equivalent. A comparative survey of major twentieth-century Christian theologies as various responses to modernity, with discussion of both wider movements and the thought of individual theologians.
CHTH 70303/80303/90303 MAJOR FIGURES IN CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY Masters prerequisite: one 60000-level Christian Theology course or the equivalent. A systematic study of a major Christian theologian, such as Augustine, Calvin, Kierkegaard, Barth, Tillich, or the Niebuhrs. (May be repeated for credit under different topics for up to 9 credit hours.)
CHTH 70403/80403/90403 THEOLOGY AND PREACHING Masters prerequisite: HOML 60203 and CHTH 60013 or equivalent. This course examines both the theology of preaching and theology for preaching by engaging selected theologians and their sermons. Students will prepare, preach, and reflect upon the theology in sermons. See also HOML 70403.
CHTH 70970/80970/90970 SPECIAL TOPICS IN CHRISTIAN THOUGHT May be repeated for credit under different topics. (1-3 semester hours)
CHTH 71973 FINAL EXERCISE Prerequisite: Admittance to the M.T.S. degree program. An independent research study course, taken in the final semester in program, that integrates material covered in earlier coursework and produces a final paper, normally 20-30 pages in length.
CHTH 94013 INDEPENDENT RESEARCH STUDY AND THESIS Masters prerequisites: Admittance to the Th.M. program and completion of required academic seminars. Independent research study and writing of the Master of Theology thesis.
CHTH 95103 ISSUES IN THEOLOGY Prerequisite: Admittance to the Th.M. or Ph.D. program or special permission from the Office of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. An issue related to Christian theology and the Hebrew Bible, Literature of Early Judaism, or New Testament will be selected. (May be repeated for credit under different topics for up to 9 credit hours.).
Christian Ethics
CHET 60003 INTRODUCTION TO CONTEMPORARY THEOLOGICAL ETHICS This course will survey the major methodological questions of theological ethics since the early 20th century, its thematic subdivisions, and the schools of thought and individual authors who have shaped the discussion of ethical questions within the theological world.
CHET 60023 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN ETHICS An examination of some of the major themes within the history of Christian ethical thought and an introduction to some of the key theologians who addressed those themes from the beginnings of the Church through the 19th century.
CHET 70103/80103/90103 FEMINIST THEOLOGY AND ETHICS Masters prerequisite: CHET 60003 or CHET 60023 or equivalent. Seminar examining the models of God, human nature, Christ, ethics, and spirituality offered by women of diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
CHET 70203/80203/90203 ETHICS IN DIALECTICAL THEOLOGY Masters prerequisite: CHET 60003, CHET 60023 or equivalent. An examination of basic theological tenets and their implication for ethics in the thought of selected "dialectical" theologians such as Kierkegaard, Barth, Brunner, Bultmann, and the Niebuhrs.
CHET 70503/80503/90503 SEMINAR: CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN THEOLOGICAL ETHICS Masters prerequisite: CHET 60003, CHET 60023 or equivalent. A critical examination of a contemporary social or political issue in light of theological, ethical and empirical insights. Representative topics: Relationships between Church and State, Human Sexuality, Medical Ethics. (May be repeated for credit under different topics for up to 9 credit hours.)
CHET 70603/80603/90603 SEMINAR: BIBLICAL ETHICS Masters prerequisite: CHET 60003, CHET 60023 or equivalent. A critical examination of the theological and ethical content of selected units of Biblical material, such as the creation stories in Genesis, the Ten Commandments, the prophets, the Sermon on the Mount, a Gospel or a New Testament epistle. (May be repeated for credit under different topics for up to 9 credit hours.)
CHET 70703/80703/90703 SEMINAR: MAJOR FIGURES IN CHRISTIAN ETHICS Masters prerequisite: CHET 60003, CHET 60023 or equivalent. A critical examination of the theology and ethics of major figures in Christian thought, such as Augustine, Luther, Calvin, Wesley, H.R. Niebuhr, Reinhold Niebuhr, Barth or Bonhoeffer. (May be repeated for credit under different topics for up to 9 credit hours.)
CHET 70753/80753/90753 SEMINAR: CONTEMPORARY THEMES IN THEOLOGICAL ETHICS Masters prerequisite: CHET 60003, CHET 60023 or equivalent. A critical examination of a current methodological issue in theological ethics, such as context vs. principles, liberation, love and justice. (May be repeated for credit under different topics for up to 9 credit hours.)
CHET 70803/80803/90803 PHILOSOPHICAL BACKGROUND OF CHRISTIAN ETHICS An examination of issues in philosophical ethics, both historical and contemporary, with a view toward understanding their implications for Christian ethics.
CHET 70970/80970/90970 SPECIAL TOPICS IN CHRISTIAN ETHICS May be repeated for credit under different topics. (1-3 semester hours)
CHET 71973 FINAL EXERCISE Prerequisite: Admittance to the M.T.S. degree program. An independent research study course, taken in the final semester in program, that integrates material covered in earlier coursework and produces a final paper, normally 20-30 pages in length.
CHET 94013 INDEPENDENT RESEARCH STUDY AND THESIS Prerequisites: Admittance to the Th.M. program and completion of required academic seminars. Independent research study and writing of the Master of Theology thesis.
CHET 95103 ISSUES IN ETHICS Prerequisite: Admittance to the Th.M. or Ph.D. program or special permission from the Office of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. An issue related to ethics and the Hebrew Bible, Literature of Early Judaism, or New Testament will be selected. This course may be repeated for credit up to 9 hours.
Church in Society
CHSO 60003 COMMUNITY CONTEXTS OF MINISTRY Exposure to selected aspects of current sociological, psychological, economic, political, and social factors as basis for theological reflection upon the church¡¯s ministry in the world.
CHSO 60023 INTRODUCTION TO BLACK CHURCH STUDIES This course is an introductory exploration of the historical legacy, progressive traditions, spiritual depth, and social witness of the Black Church as it has been studied through theories and methods that make up the interdisciplinary field of Black Church Studies. Towards this end, we will take a definitive look at the various subdisciplines within Black Church Studies, namely: African American Biblical Hermeneutics, Black Theologies, African American Social Ethics, African American Religious History, African American Pastoral Care, Black Religion, Culture and Society, Practical Theology and Christian Education, and Worship. The course will also facilitate opportunities for the intellectual, professional, and inspirational development of transformational leadership for students interested in working in or in collaboration with African-American Christian churches and communities.
CHSO 60103 CHRISTIAN SOCIAL ETHICS An introduction to the discipline by means of the study of social problems in the context of normative prescriptions and theological interpretations.
CHSO 60403 THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN EXPERIENCE IN SOCIAL ETHICS An introduction to the field of social ethics from a distinctly African-American perspective. Students will be introduced to the mores of the Black Church, liberation ethic and social critical analysis. This class will focus upon the issues that most concern the African-American community: justice, hermeneutics, membership, conflict, reconciliation, and value formation.
CHSO 70103/80103/90103 SEMINAR: SOCIAL ETHICS Masters prerequisite: CHSO 60103 or equivalent. Alternative philosophical and theological perspectives on the principles and methods of social ethics. (May be repeated for credit under different topics for up to 9 credit hours.)
CHSO 70133/80133/90133 THE CITY AND THE CHURCH Social scientific and theological examination of cities, and the responses of churches to the urban context. (May be repeated for credit under different topics for up to 9 credit hours.)
CHSO 70153/80153/90153 STRATEGIES FOR CHANGE The study and practice of alternative strategies for effecting social change.
CHSO 70163/80163/90163 RELIGION AND VIOLENCE Surveys recent efforts to comprehend violence as a cultural phenomenon, from psychological, historical, and theological perspectives.
CHSO 70203/80203/90203 SEMINAR: SOCIAL SCIENTIFIC STYLES The grounds of various social scientific styles of analysis of and prescription for selected social problems and phenomena. (May be repeated for credit under different topics for up to 9 credit hours.)
CHSO 70423/80423/90423 RELIGIOUS FUNDAMENTALISM? The surge of religious fundamentalism since the 1970s in culturally distinct areas of the globe has raised concern and interest among scholars and citizens. It is necessary to acknowledge that religious fundamentalism is not just within Islam or Christianity. All religions are based on ¡®fundamentals¡¯ and all have their fundamentalists. This course is first to examine the theological/theoretical and historical sources, and the nature and rhetoric of fundamentalism in Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Islam and Buddhism, and further to explore its theological and socio-political implications and practice.
CHSO 70443/80443/90443 THE CHURCH AND PUBLIC POLICY ?A social scientific examination of various social problems and public policy issues in light of the mission of the church. (May be repeated for credit under different topics for up to 9 credit hours.)
CHSO 70563/80563/90563 WORLD RELIGIONS AND GENDER? Religion is an enormously powerful force in human society, shaping the ideals, hopes, desires and needs of humanity.? Because religion has played such a significant role in human society, it is very important to examine religion from multiple angles.? The aim of the course is to develop familiarity with the issues and methodology of gender analysis with reference to the study of world religions.? The approach is theoretical, phenomenological, comparative, and interdisciplinary.
CHSO 70583/80583/90583 FEMINISM IN AMERICAN CULTURE A survey of feminist thought in various disciplines, including theology, and feminist perspectives on women and men in church and community.
CHSO 70970/80970/90970 SPECIAL TOPICS IN CHURCH AND SOCIETY May be repeated for credit under different topics. (1-3 semester hours)
CHSO 71973 FINAL EXERCISE Prerequisite: Admittance to the M.T.S. degree program. An independent research study course, taken in the final semester in program, that integrates material covered in earlier coursework and produces a final paper, normally 20-30 pages in length.
CHSO 94013 INDEPENDENT RESEARCH STUDY AND THESIS Masters prerequisites: Admittance to the Th.M. program and completion of required academic seminars. Independent research study and writing of the Master of Theology thesis.
