Beginning Theological Studies

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

Undergraduate

Level 1:

1. Understand and begin to evaluate the origins and development of some key terms, fields, and themes in theological studies.
2. Identify a number of critical events and persons in the history of Christian thought.
3. Demonstrate basic skills in critically evaluating theological arguments, both individually and in conversation with others.
4. Articulate some important influences in their own approach to theology.
5. Demonstrate the ability to use libraries and other resources for theological study.

      Level 2:

1. Understand and evaluate the origins and development of some key terms, fields, and themes in theological studies.
2. Identify a number of critical events and persons in the history of Christian thought.
3. Demonstrate skills in critically evaluating theological arguments, both individually and in conversation with others.
4. Articulate some important influences in their own approach to theology.
5. Propose and defend a theological argument on a central theme in Christian theology.

Postgraduate

1. Understand and evaluate the origins and development of some key terms, fields, and themes in theological studies.
2. Identify and explain a number of critical events and persons in the history of Christian thought.
3. Demonstrate skills in critically evaluating theological arguments, both individually and in conversation with others.
4. Articulate and defend some important influences in their own approach to theology.
5. Exhibit critical and self-directed learning in, and research for, postgraduate theological study.

Undergraduate

Level 1

• Online Forum (1,500 words) (25%)
• Two short tests (25%)
• One essay (2,000 words) (50%)

Level 2

• Online Forum (1,500 words) (25%)
• Two short tests (25%)
• One essay (2,500 words) (50%)

Postgraduate

• Online Forum (1,500 words) (25%)
• Two short tests (25%)
• One essay (4,000 words) (50%)

Set texts recommended for purchase are highlighted in blue

• Barth, Karl. Evangelical Theology: An Introduction. Translated by Grover Foley. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1979.
• Chan, Simon. Grassroots Asian Theology: Thinking the Faith from the Ground Up. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2014.
• Coakley, Sarah. God, Sexuality, and the Self: An Essay ‘On the Trinity’. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2013.
• Evans, James H. We Have Been Believers: An African-American Systematic Theology. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2012.
• Ford, David. Theology: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999.
• Hart, Trevor A. Faith Thinking: The Dynamics of Christian Theology. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1995.
• McClendon Jr., James William. Systematic Theology, Volume 2: Doctrine. Nashville, TN: Abingdon, 1994.
• McGrath, Alister E. Christian Theology: An Introduction. 5th ed., Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell, 2010.
• Migliore, Daniel L. Faith Seeking Understanding: An Introduction to Christian Theology. 3rd ed., Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2014.
• Morse, Christopher. Not Every Spirit: A Dogmatics of Christian Disbelief. 2nd ed., Valley Forge, PA: Trinity Press, 2008.
• The Rainbow Spirit Elders. Rainbow Spirit Theology: Toward an Australian Aboriginal Theology. 2nd ed., Hindmarsh: ATF Press, 2012.
• Sölle, Dorothee. Thinking About God: An Introduction to Theology. Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock, 2016.