TH011-812 - Theological Issues of the Reformation

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

Prerequisites

24cps TH/CH

Exclusions

Prior to 2020, this unit content was delivered under the unit code TH620.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will

A. Know and understand

Demonstrate Advanced knowledge and understanding of the theological issues of the Reformation.

B. Be able to

1. Examine the historical importance of the major theological developments of the Reformation

2. Review the significance of these developments for Christianity today

3. Present Research-Aware evidence-based perspectives of the theological issues of the Reformation

C. Be in a position to

1. Applying perspectives from ‘Theological Issues of the Reformation’  to contemporary Christian life and ministry practice as a reflective practitioner

Content

Section A

1. Justification: Augustine; Luther; Trent; Hooker; Newman; contemporary ecumenical discussion (for example, Salvation and the Church).

2. Grace and election: Augustine; Luther, Calvin and Arminius; Wesley and Whitefield; contemporary approaches.

3. Sacraments: Luther, Zwingli, Calvin and Cranmer; contemporary ecumenical discussions (for example, Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry).

Section B

The study of TWO major documents of the Reformation, in particular considering their relevance in contemporary Christian ministry.

One document is to be chosen from each of the following sections:

Group A:      Cranmer Homily on Salvation.

                    Luther, The Freedom of a Christian Man.

                    Luther, Two Kinds of Righteousness.

Zwingli, Commentary on True and False Religion.

Group B:       Calvin, Institutes III, 21–24; IV, 14–19.

                    Cranmer, A Defence of the True and Catholic Doctrine of the Sacrament.

                    Luther, Sermons on the Catechism, sections on sacraments.

Teaching Aims

1. The theological antecedents of the Reformation.

2. The major theological issues of the Reformation and their development:

i. Justification (Augustine, Luther, Trent, Hooker, Newman);

ii. Grace and election (Augustine, Luther, Calvin and Arminius, Wesley and Whitefield);

iii. Sacraments (Luther, Zwingli, Calvin and Cranmer).

3. The continuing importance of these issues.

4. The significance of these issues for Christianity today.

5. Two major documents from the Reformation.

6. Major theologians and their interpretations of the theological issues of the Reformation.

Set Readings

Recommended:

In addition to works listed in Groups A and B of Section B above,

Avis, P. D., The Church in the Theology of the Reformers (Eugene OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2002).

Boice, J. M., Whatever Happened to the Gospel of Grace? – Rediscovering the Doctrines That Shook the World (Wheaton: Crossway, 2001).

Davis, T. J., This is My Body: The Presence of Christ in Reformation Thought (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2008).

Hill, C. E., and F. A. James, Glory of the Atonement (Downers Grove Il: IVP, 2004).

Kärkkäinen, V.-M., An Introduction to Ecclesiology. Ecumenical, Historical & Global Perspectives (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2003).

Kasper, W., Sacrament of Unity: The Eucharist and the Church (New York: Crossroad, 2004).

Lindberg, C., The Reformation Theologians: An Introduction to the Theology of the Early Modern Period, The Great Theologians (Oxford: Blackwell, 2002).

McCormack, B., Justification in Perspective (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2006).

McGrath, A. E., Reformation Thought: An Introduction (Cambridge, MA: Blackwell, 3rd edition 1999).

Pinnock, C. H. (ed.), Grace Unlimited (Eugene OR: Wipf & Stock, 1999).

Schreiner, T. R., and B. A. Ware (eds) Still Sovereign: Contemporary Perspectives on Election, Foreknowledge and Grace (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2000).

Stackhouse, J. G. (ed.), Evangelical Ecclesiology: Reality or Illusion? (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2003).

Welker, M., What Happens in Holy Communion? (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000).

 

Classics:

ARCIC, Clarifications (London: SPCK; CTS, 1993).

Dulles, A., Models of the Church (New York: Image, 1987).

Barth, K., Chapter VII “The Election of God”, Church Dogmatics. II.2 (trans G.W. Bromiley et al; Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1957).

McGrath, A. E., Iustitia Dei: A History of the Doctrine of Justification (New York: Cambridge University Press, 2nd ed. 1998).

Schrotenboer, P., An Evangelical Response to Baptism, Eucharist & Ministry (Carlisle: Paternoster, 1992).