TH001-812 - The Knowledge of God

  • 2,976 Standard Tuition Fee
  • 12
    Credit Points
  • 0.125 EFT 
  • 8
    AQF level
  • Category developing unit
    B
  • theologyUnit Discipline

Corequisites

24cps OT/NT/BB

Exclusions

Prior to 2020, this unit content was delivered under the unit code TH601.

Exclusions: TH101-612, TH101-712, TH101-812

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will

A. Know and understand

Demonstrate Advanced knowledge and understanding of God and God’s relationship with the world and humanity.

B. Be able to

1. Investigate the interrelationship of the knowledge of God and of God’s world and humanity

2. Examine methodological and theological issues in knowing God

3. Present Research-Aware evidence-based perspectives on the knowledge of God

C. Be in a position to

1 Applying perspectives from ‘The Knowledge of God’ to contemporary Christian life and ministry practice as a reflective practitioner

Content

Students are required to cover the whole syllabus. But assessment procedures will allow for a certain amount of specialisation, so that students are not expected to study each topic in detail.

Foundation

1. The main loci of theological knowledge and their interaction;

2. Connections between the content of theology and the practice of faith.

Section A : The Knowledge of God

1. The concepts of revelation and inspiration;

2. The place and nature of Scripture and natural theology;

3. The issues raised by reason, authority and experience.

Section B : God and the World

1. Creation and providence;

2. Humanity as created;

3. Sin and evil.

Teaching Aims

a. Assist candidates in gaining an integrated Christian theological perspective and methodology;

b. Introduce candidates to the main areas of theological study, so as to provide a solid foundation for further theological exploration and reflection;

c. Help candidates reflect on the various aspects of Christian faith, thus gaining insights on the great questions of life;

d. Deepen students’ understanding of what relationship with God entails and implies;

e. Apply the above to the loci of human knowledge of God and God’s relationship with the world.

 

Set Readings

In all Theology units, in addition to the primary biblical documents, candidates will be expected to be familiar with the relevant sections of the three Creeds and of confessional documents such as the 39 Articles and the Westminster Confession.

 

Prescribed: students should become familiar with the relevant sections of one of the following:

Erickson, M. J., Christian Theology (2nd ed.; Grand Rapids: Baker, 2003).

Frame, J., Salvation Belongs to the Lord: An Introduction to Systematic Theology (Phillipsburg NJ: P&R, 2006).

Grenz, S. J., Theology for the Community of God (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000).

Grudem, W., Systematic Theology (Downers Grove IL: IVP, 2007).

Kärkkäinen, V.-M., The Doctrine of God: A Global Introduction (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2004).

McGrath, A., Christian Theology: An Introduction (3rd ed.; London: Wiley-Blackwell, 2006).

Migliore, D., Faith with Understanding (2nd ed.; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2004).

Oden, T. C., Classic Christianity: A Systematic Theology (New York: Harper Collins, 2009).

 

Recommended:

The Knowledge of God

Achtemeier, P., Inspiration and Authority: Nature and Function of Christian Scripture (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1999).

Adam, P., Written for Us, (Leicester UK: IVP, 2008).

Bloesch, D., A Theology of Word and Spirit (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2005).

Gunton, C. G., A Brief Theology of Revelation (London/New York: Continuum: T. & T. Clark 2005).

Harris, G. E., “Revelation in Christian Theology”, The Churchman 120/1 (2006) 11-34.

Packer, J. I., Honouring the Written Word of God (Carlisle: Paternoster, 1999).

Sherman, S. S., Revitalizing Holistic Theological Epistemology: Evangelical Approaches to the Knowledge of God, Princeton Theological Monographs (Princeton: Pickwick Publications, 2008).

Vanhoozer, K. J., First Theology: God, Scripture & Hermeneutics (Downers Grove IL: IVP, 2002).

 

God and the World

Blocher, H., Original Sin: Illuminating the Riddle (Downers Grove Il: IVP, 2000).

Davies, O., The Creativity of God: World, Eucharist, Reason (Cambridge/New York: CUP, 2004).

Feinberg, J. S., Many Faces of Evil (Wheaton: Crossway, 2004).

Kärkkäinen, V.-M., The Doctrine of God: A Global Introduction (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2004).

Kaufman, G. D., In the Beginning—Creativity (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004).

Keller, J. A., Problems of Evil and the Power of God, (Burlington VT: Ashgate, 2007).

McFadyen, A., Bound to Sin: Abuse, Holocaust, and the Christian Doctrine of Sin (New York: CUP, 2000).

Pannenberg, W., Anthropology in Theological Perspective (London/New York: T & T Clark 2004).

Pinnock, C. H., Most Moved Mover: A Theology of God’s Openness (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2001).

Piper, J., and Taylor, J., Suffering and the Sovereignty of God, (Wheaton: Crossway, 2006).

Weinandy, T. G., Does God Suffer? (Edinburgh: T & T. Clark, 2000).

Wright, N. T., Evil and the Justice of God (London: SPCK/ Downers Grove IL:IVP, 2006).

 

Classic:

Dulles, A., Models of Revelation (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1992).

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