UMS : Unit: CT8003L

Content

This unit first examines topics traditionally covered by prolegomena. It begins by reflecting on the nature of theology and its relation to receptive spirituality as well as examining the distinctive characteristics of a Lutheran approach to doing theology. The unit introduces the nature and function of Scripture, and its relation to reason, tradition, and experience as well as an introduction to Lutheran hermeneutics.

The second part of the unit examines the biblical and theological teaching of the triune God as expressed in terms of the immanent and the economic Trinity. The unit will also explore the modern discussion on the Trinity, including: the Fatherhood of God; the name of God in Feminist Theology; the question of the eternal subordination of the Son; and the filioque. The unit is designed to give the student the necessary basis for further study in systematic theology.

Unit code: CT8003L

Unit status: Approved (New unit)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Foundational

Unit discipline: Systematic Theology

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Australian Lutheran College

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Learning outcomes

1.	Discuss how Lutherans do theology, including the key emphases on Luther’s Theology of the Cross and receptive spirituality
2.	Compare the Lutheran doctrine of Scripture with other traditions
3.	Evaluate the relation between faith, reason, experience, tradition, and Scripture
4.	Employ the main features of Lutheran hermeneutics
5.	Debate and judge the different views on the relationship between the immanent Trinity and the economic Trinity

Unit sequence

Course relationship: A level 8 unit in postgraduate theology and ministry courses

Pedagogy

This unit uses teaching strategies (e.g. lectures, group discussion and debate, reporting on weekly set readings, visual representation of ideas by students, personal reflection and brainstorming) which encourage student engagement and participation in a variety of learning tasks and opportunities which foster deep learning.

Indicative Bibliography

Bayer, Oswald. Martin Luther’s theology: a contemporary interpretation. Translated by Thomas H. Trapp. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2008.
Jones, Beth Felker. Practicing Christian doctrine: an introduction to thinking and living theologically. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2014.
Kolb, Robert. The Christian faith: a Lutheran exposition. St. Louis, MO: Concordia, 1993.
LaCugna, Catherine. God for us: the Trinity and Christian life. San Francisco, CA: HarperCollins, 1993.
McGrath, Alister E. Christian theology: an introduction. 5th ed. New York, NY: Wiley Blackwell. 2010.
Migliore, Daniel L. Faith seeking understanding: an introduction to Christian theology. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2004.
Nafzger, Peter. “These are written”: toward a cruciform theology of Scripture. Eugene, OR: Pickwick Publications, 2013.
Peters, Ted. God—the world’s future: systematic theology for a new era. 3rd ed. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress, 2015.
Soulen, R. Kendall. The divine name(s) and the Holy Trinity: distinguishing the voices. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2011.
Toom, Tarmo. Classical trinitarian theology: a textbook. New York: T & T Clark, 2007.

Assessment

Type	Description	Word count	Weight (%)
Report	Theology of the Cross	1000	20.0
Essay	Inspiration, inerrancy and authority of Scripture	3000	40.0
Essay	Economic and immanent trinity	3000	40.0

Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Maggie Kappelhoff on 5 Oct, 2020

Unit record last updated: 2020-10-05 11:36:51 +1100