The Theology of Jesus Christ (CT9741Z)

Content

This unit takes an orthodox Christian perspective and combines biblical, historical, doctrinal and contemporary approaches to Jesus Christ and to salvation in Christ. It will include critical discussion of the theology of salvation in Christ in biblical, patristic, medieval, reformation and modern theologies. It will provide opportunities for students to survey biblical, patristic and contemporary approaches to Jesus Christ. It will introduce students to the ‘quest for the historical Jesus’, the biblical foundation for Christology and developments up to and beyond the council of Chalcedon and allow reflection on Eastern and Western approaches to salvation. It will also address perceptions of Jesus Christ constructed through the heuristic lens of contemporary thought and movements, throughout requiring students to reflect on the Orthodox witness to Christ as Lord, God, and Saviour, and relating their understanding to the contemporary context.

Learning outcomes

Unit sequence

A Level 9 unit in postgraduate theology and ministry awards Prerequisite Unit: CT8740Z Introduction to Christian Thought or equivalent

Pedagogy

UCLT uses primary and secondary sources considered through different lenses to identify and explore the challenges of the unit material for the contemporary world. Students are engaged in a range of comparative, analytical and reflective practices to identify the original meanings of the text in their contexts and to interpret them hermeneutically. This unit is delivered by Saints Cyril and Methodius Orthodox Institute.

Indicative Bibliography

• Aulén, Gustav. Christus Victor: An Historical Study of the Three Main Types of the Idea of the Atonement London, UK: SPCK, 1931, reprint 2020.
• Baker, Matthew. Seraphim Dankaert, and Nicholas Marinides (eds), On the Tree of the Cross: Georges Florovsky and the Patristic Doctrine of Atonement. paperback ed. Jordanville, NY: Holy Trinity Publications, 2020.
• Bockmuehl, Markus. The Son of David and His Mother. The Journal of Theological Studies n.s. 62 (2011): 476–93.
• Cabasilas, Nicholas. The Life in Christ English and Ancient Greek Edition; Crestwood, NY: SVS Press, 1997.
• Evans, Craig A. Jesus and the Manuscripts: What We Can Learn from the Oldest Texts Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2020.
• Grillmeier, Aloys. Christ in Christian Tradition 3 vols; tr. John Bowden. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, rev. ed. 1975.
• Kärkkäinen, Veli-Matti. Christology: A Global Introduction Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2016.
• Hilarion Alfeyev, Metropolitan. Jesus Christ: His Life and Teaching Volume 1: The Beginning of the Gospel Yonkers, NY: SVS Press, 2018.
• Moule, C. F. D. The Origin of Christology. Cambridge, UK: CUP, 1978.
• Schönborn, Christoph. The Mystery of the Incarnation Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 2013.
• St Maximus, the Confessor. On the Cosmic Mystery of Jesus Christ (tr. Paul M. Blowers and Robert Louis Wilken. Crestwood, NY: SVS Press, 2003.

Assessment