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THEO 900

THEOLOGICAL METHOD

dr kevin king

Phone numbrer: 434-592-4017

Email: klkingsr@liberty.edu

Carter #156

I. Course Description

Analyzes theological methods in various theological traditions and persuasions. Different types of systematic, and contemporary theologies will be scrutinized. Particular attention will be given to the significance of theological sources including revelation, tradition, and culture and to their role in theology.

II. Rationale

Never before have scholars been as aware of the link between method and results as they are today. It is important for theologians of our time to be able to interact critically with a variety of methods, assessing the strengths and weaknesses of each, being aware of the possibilities, limitations, and pitfalls each method brings to the table as they go about the doing of theology.

III. Prerequisites

None

IV. Materials List

Clark, David K. and John S. Feinberg. To Know and Love God: Method for Theology. Wheaton: Crossway, 2010.

ISBN: 978-1433521898

Franke, John. The Character of Theology. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2005.

ISBN: 978-0-8010-2641-6

Frei, Hans. Types of Christian Theology. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1992. ISBN: 978-0300059458

Grenz, Stanley and John R. Franke. Beyond Foundationalism. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2001.

ISBN: 978-0-664-25769-9

Lindbeck, George. The Nature of Doctrine: Religion and Theology in a Post-liberal Age. 25th Anniversary edition. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2009.

ISBN: 978-0664233358

Lints, Richard. The Fabric of Theology. Grand Rapids: Wm B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1993.

ISBN: 978-0802806741

Lonegran, Bernard. Method in Theology 2nd ed. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1990.

ISBN: 978-0802068095

Palin, David A. The Anthropological Character of Theology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2009.

ISBN: 978-0521093286

Stackhouse, John. Evangelical Futures: A Conversation on Theological Method.

Vancover: Regent College Publishing, 2000.

ISBN: 978-1573831840

Vanhoozer., Kevin J. The Drama of Doctrine. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2005.

ISBN: 978-0-664-22327-4

Vidu, Adonis. Postliberal Theological Method. Colorado Springs, CO: Paternoster, 2005.

ISBN: 978-1-84227-395-1

V. Measurable Learning Outcomes

The student will be able to:

(LBTS PLOs 2, 3, 4, 6)

A. Analyze the major methods employed in theology throughout the history of the church.

B. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the major methods identified.

C. Assess the relative merits of the major methods in light of the doing of theology in the post-modern context.

D. Critique the methodology of the major theological systems and select theologians.

VI. Course Requirements and Assignments

A. Read all assigned texts books by the time the seminar starts. An absolutely essential portion of the course is to be prepared to begin the initial class by having assimilated some of the major ideas contained in the required reading. Class participation is absolutely essential in this course and will contribute to the "Class Participation" portion of the grade, as indicated below. Emphasis is placed on the quality of responses, the understanding of current research involved, as well as student preparation. MLO: A, B, C, D

B. Critical Interaction and Discussion Facilitator: Each student will be assigned one or more text(s), depending on enrollment, that they will prepare a 10 page critical analysis of the book as well as a list of analytical questions for discussion in class. Students will be required to lead the discussion for an assigned text during the week. A schedule for the texts will be provided, and students are encouraged to pick a text and notify the professor so that discussions can be properly scheduled before the class meets. The responsibility to lead the discussion simply means that the student will be prepared to ask leading questions or to offer critique of the text under discussion. This assignment will be due before the seminar (TBA). MLO: A, B, C, D

C. Class Presentation: Each student will pick a topic (an aspect of theological method, i.e the role of culture in theological method, etc) to be presented to the class that will coincide with the course subject matter. This presentation will be along the order of developing the topic along Biblical, historical/theological and contemporary implications as the topic bears on the contemporary church scene in the United States (or whatever the country is that the student serves in). The presentations can be either in the form of a paper presentation (i.e. presentations at a conference-12-20 pages following the style demands of Turabian) or a very detailed and thorough Power Point presentation (or some similar format). The student must get approval of the topic. MLO: A, B, C, D

D. Research paper: Each student will write a research paper evaluating a specific theological methodology. The student could evaluate an individual theological methodology or a particular school of theology and the method evidenced by that particular school. The research is to be creative, insightful and move the student to greater understanding of the selected topic and its relevance in the current church situation. The paper is to be 30 pages in length. The student must get approval from the professor for this assignment. MLO: A, B, C, D

VII. Course Grading and Policies

A. Points

|Class Readings/Class Participation | 200 pts |

|Critical Book Analysis/Discussion Facilitator | 200 pts |

|Class Presentation | 250 pts |

|Research Paper | 350 pts |

|Total |1,000 pts |

B. Scale:

|940-1000 |A |

|920-939 |A- |

|900–919  |B+ |

|860–899  |B |

|840–859 |B- |

|820–839  |C+ |

|780–819  |C |

|760–779  |C- |

|740-759   |D+ |

|700-739 |D |

|680-699    |D- |

|679 and below |F |

| | |

VIII. Policies

A. Attendance Policies

Students are expected to be in class for the seminar and the only excused absence would be decided on a case by case basis at the discretion of the professor.

B. Other Policies

1. Academic Misconduct

Academic misconduct is strictly prohibited. See The Graduate Catalog for specific definitions, penalties, and processes for reporting.

2. Drop/Add Policy

Consult the Graduate Catalog for drop/add policies.

3. Dress Code (applies to classes meeting on campus)

Students are expected to maintain a neat, professional appearance while in class. Consult your department for additional guidelines.

i. Classroom Policies

Classroom policies will be established and enforced by the individual instructor.

IX. Students with a documented disability

may contact the Office of Disability Academic Support (ODAS) in Green Hall 2668 to make arrangements for academic accommodations. For all disability testing accommodation requests (i.e. quieter environment, extended time, oral testing, etc.) the Tutoring/Testing Center (Green Hall 2700) is the officially designated place for all tests administered outside of the regular classroom.

X. Calendar

Spring 2013: March 25- March 29

|Date |Lesson |Assignment (LO) |Notes |

|Mon |Lecture/Discussion |Presentations (LO B, C, D) | |

|Tu |Lecture/Discussion |Presentations (LO B, C, C) | |

|Wed |Lecture/Discussion |Presentations (LO B, C, D) | |

|Th |Lecture/Discussion |Presentations (LO B, C, D) | |

|Fri |Lecture/Discussion | | |

| | | | |

| | | | |

|April 19, 2013 | |Final Research Paper Due | |

| | |(MLOs A, B, C, D) | |

XI. Bibliography

Systematic Theology

Berkhof, L. Systematic Theology (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1978).

Chafer, Lewis Sperry. Systematic Theology (Dallas: Dallas Seminary Press, 1975).

Erickson, M. Christian Theology 2nd Ed. (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic,1998).

Geisler, Norman L. Systematic Theology 4 Volumes (Grand Rapids: Bethany House, 2004).

Grudem, W. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994).

Musser, Donald W. and Joseph L. Price eds. A New Handbook of Christian Theology (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1992).

McGrath, Allister E. Christian Theology: An Introduction (Boston:Blackwell Publishing, 2001).

Pannenberg, Wolfhart. Systematic Theology (Grand Rapids: William B Eerdmans, 1991).

Richardson, Alan and John Stephen Bowden eds. The Westminster Dictionary of Christian Theology (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1983).

Ryrie, C. Basic Theology (Chicago: Moody Press, 1986).

Schaff, P. Creeds of Christendom 3 Volumes (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1977).

Shedd, William G.T. Dogmatic Theology (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1980).

Stevens, William Wilson. Doctrines of the Christian Religion (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans,

1972).

Strong, Augustus H. Systematic Theology: A Compendium Designed for use of Theological Students (Old Tappan, NJ: Revell, 1976).

Biblical Theology

Barr, James. The Concept of Biblical Theology ( Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1999).

Botterweck, Johannes, Helmer Ringgren, and Heinz-Joseph Fabry eds. Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 1974).

Brown, Michael L. Israel’s Divine Healer (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1995).

Childs, Brevard S. Biblical Theology of the Old and New Testaments (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1993).

Elwell, Walter. Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1996).

Hayes, John Haralson and Frederick C. Prussner (Atlanta: John Knox Press, 1985).

Ladd, George Eldon. A Theology of the New Testament (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 1993).

Morris, Leon Dr. New Testament Theology (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1990).

Ryrie, Charles C. Biblical Theology of the New Testament (Chicago: Moody Press, 1982).

Terrien, Samuel L. Till the Heart Sings: A Biblical Theology of Manhood and Womanhood (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 2004).

Old Testament Theology: Issues

Barr, James. The Concept of Biblical Theology ( Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1999).

Childs, Brevard S. Biblical Theology of the Old and New Testaments (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1993).

Gowan, Donald E. Theology in Exodus: Biblical Theology in the Form of a Commentary (Louisville: John Knox Press, 1994).

House, Paul R. Old Testament Theology (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1998).

Kaiser, Walter C. Toward and Old Testament Theology (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1978).

Martens, E. A. Old Testament Theology (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1997).

New Testament Theology: Issues

Bultmann, Rudolf K. Theology of the New Testament. Contributor Kendrick Grobel. New York: Scribner, 1955.

Caird, George. New Testament Theology. L. D. Hurst, Contributor. New York: Oxford University Press, 1995.

Dunn, James D. G. The Theology of Paul the Apostle. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2006.

Guthrie, Donald. New Testament Theology. Winona Lake, IN: Inter-Varsity Press, 1981.

Ladd, George E. A Theology of the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1993.

Marshall, I. Howard. New Testament Theology: Many Witnesses, One Gospel. Winona Lake, IN: Inter-Varsity, 2004.

Morris, Leon. New Testament Theology. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1990.

Natural Theology

Barr, James. Biblical Faith and Natural Theology: The Gifford Lectures for 1991. New York: Oxford University Press, 1993.

Clark, Kelly James. Our Knowledge of God: Essays on Natural and Philosophical Theology. Springer, 1992.

Hauerwas, Stanley. With the Grain of the Universe: The Church's Witness and Natural Theology. Waco, TX: Brazos, 2001.

McCosh, James. Christianity and Positivism: A Series of Lectures to the Times on Natural Theology and Apologetics. Kessinger, 2006.

Pelikan, Jaroslav. Christianity and Classical Culture. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1993.

Historical Theology

Bromiley, Geoffrey. Historical Theology: An Introduction. Continuum International, 2000.

McGrath, Alister. Historical Theology: An Introduction to the History of Christian Thought. London: Blackwell, 1998.

Liberation Theology

Boff, Leonardo and Clodovis Boff. Introducing Liberation Theology. Burns & Oates, 1987.

Cone, James H. A Black Theology of Liberation. New York: Lippincott, 1970.

Nash, Ronald. Liberation Theology. Mott Media, 1984.

Ruether, Rosemary Radford. Liberation Theology: Human Hope Confronts Christian History and American Power. New York: Paulist, 1972.

Segundo, Juan Luis. Liberation of Theology. New York: Wipf & Stock, 2002.

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