TH210 - The Doctrine of God and the Person and Work of Christ

  • 0 Standard Tuition Fee
  • 4
    Credit Points
  • 0.125 EFT 
  • 5
    AQF level
  • theologyUnit Discipline

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will

A. Know and understand

  1. The bases of the knowledge of God
  2. The doctrine of God
  3. The doctrines of the creation and fall
  4. The person of Christ
  5. The work of Christ

B. Be able to

  1. Use the Bible theologically
  2. Outline how God is known by humans
  3. Describe the main aspects of:
  1. The doctrine of God
  2. The doctrines of the creation and fall
  3. The person of Christ
  4. The work of Christ

and

  1. Present evidence-based perspectives on aspects of the doctrine of God and the person and work of Christ

C. Be in a position to

  1. Relate the doctrines of God and the Person and Work of Christ to their other theological studies
  2. Use the doctrines of God and the Person and Work of Christ for personal understanding and in ministry contexts

Content

Candidates need to study each topic in the light of major contemporary theological approaches, but not in precise detail, since this is a survey unit.  Candidates will not be required to answer detailed questions on particular sub-sections of any topic in the written examination.

  1. Our knowledge of God: the nature and sources of theology; general and special revelation; inspiration.
  2. The doctrine of God: divine being, names and attributes; the doctrine of the Trinity, its development from the New Testament period; trinitarian religion,
  3. The doctrines of creation and fall: alternative world-views; human nature; the image of God; theories of personal and social sin; providence; evil and suffering.
  4. The person of Christ: major titles; Christ’s deity and true humanity; major developments to Chalcedon and beyond.
  5. The work of Christ: New Testament metaphors; the three-fold office; theories of atonement; resurrection and ascension.

Set Readings

Prescribed: Students are encouraged to become familiar with the relevant sections of one of the following:

Erickson, M. J., Christian Theology (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2nd ed. 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 (London: Wiley-Blackwell 3rd ed. 2006).

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

 

Recommended:

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

Bloesch, D., God the Almighty (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2005).

Bloesch, D., Jesus Christ: Savior and Lord (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2005).

Edgar, B., The Message of the Trinity (Leicester: Inter-Varsity Press, 2004).

Erickson. M. J., God the Father Almighty (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2006).

Highfield, R., Great Is the Lord: Theology for the Praise of God (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2008).

Kärkkäinen, V.-M., Christology: A Global Introduction (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2003).

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

Marshall, H., Aspects of the Atonement: Cross and Resurrection in the Reconciliation of Humanity (Carlisle: Paternoster, 2008).

Meeks, W. A., Christ Is the Question (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2008).

Stott, J., The Cross of Christ (Leicester UK, Downers Grove IL: IVP, 20th Anniversary edition, 2007).

 

Classics:

Morris, L., The Lord from Heaven (Rev. ed., Leicester: IVP, 1995).

Schillebeeckx, E., Jesus (New York: Crossroad, 1990).

Wright, N. T., Jesus and the Victory of God (London: SPCK, 1996).