RT5315: Theology on the Edge: Christian Thought in a Changing World

School Religion
Department Code SHARE
Module Code RT5315
External Subject Code 100795
Number of Credits 20
Level L6
Language of Delivery English
Module Leader Dr Roy Kearsley
Semester Double Semester
Academic Year 2013/4

Outline Description of Module

 The module aims to,

  1. provide an environment for tackling rigorous discussion of topics relevant to Christian beliefs particularly their coherence, relevance and validity, or otherwise, in the modern world
  2. provide an introduction to theological method and some typical debates in modern Christian theological thought
  3. pay particular intention to raising persistent or new problems associated with  such qualities in God as love, truth, knowledge etc. and problems about language describing God
  4. examine significant connections between such beliefs concerning God and the world today (eg. cultural, political and philosophical dimensions etc.)
  5. relate some modern trends in theology to wider intellectual enquiry and to church action and practice in the 21st century
  6. provide selective studies for focusing theological enquiry

On completion of the module a student should be able to

 Knowledge and Understanding:

Explain clearly, analyze critically, evaluate and integrate contributions in areas such as the following:

  1. attempted resolution of problems associated with Hebrew and Christian concepts of God’s nature
  2. issues arising in relating God to the world such as postmodernity and pluralism
  3. Christian theologies in the 21st century western world, particularly important methodology and some leading Christian theological movements/trends or ethnic/cultural expressions such as feminist theology and other revisions of classical approaches, Latin American/Asian/African theologies, a theology of hope etc.
  4. classical theologies such as Catholic, Eastern orthodox and Reformed traditions in relation to wider debate in the modern/postmodern world

Knowledge and Understanding:

Explain clearly, analyze critically, evaluate and integrate contributions in areas such as the following:

  1. attempted resolution of problems associated with Hebrew and Christian concepts of God’s nature
  2. issues arising in relating God to the world such as postmodernity and pluralism
  3. Christian theologies in the 21st century western world, particularly important methodology and some leading Christian theological movements/trends or ethnic/cultural expressions such as feminist theology and other revisions of classical approaches, Latin American/Asian/African theologies, a theology of hope etc.
  4. classical theologies such as Catholic, Eastern orthodox and Reformed traditions in relation to wider debate in the modern/postmodern world

How the module will be delivered

 informal and formal lecturing

  1. printed material
  2. overhead slides
  3. question sessions and other forms of student feedback
  4. prepared student contributions in module meetings
  5. teacher-initiated discussion
  6. small group enquiry, discussion and feedback

Skills that will be practised and developed

 Intellectual Skills:

  1. explain complex issues clearly
  2. analyse critically and empatheticically
  3. compare varying approaches to a subject
  4. make some evaluation of systematic or programmatic approaches to a subject
  5. present findings clearly, logically and informatively
  6. link theories and ideas to issues of practice
  7. present material in line with appropriate academic presentation standards.
  8. relate specific, sometimes controversial, ideas to each other in rigorous engagement
  9. integrate various approaches contributing to common discussion

 Discipline Specific (including practical) Skills:

(a)  explanation and analysis of historical backgrounds to theological debate

(b)  placing of faith-statements in their wider context, especially ‘modern’ and ‘postmodern’

(c)  appreciation of theological methods and programmes in their conflictual setting

(d)  relating of theological ideas to each other and of differing vantage points to each other

(e)  evaluation of meaning, relevancy and consistency in doctrinal conclusions

(f)   integration of the Christian theological enquiry and wider current debate

 Transferable Skills:

Generic

  1. identification with the concerns of a worldview or belief-system differing from one’s own
  2. engagement with a worldview or belief-system differing from one’s own through listening appropriately to its representatives
  3. explanation of an unfamiliar text using modern methodology, and re-situating it in a more familiar context
  4. critical explanation and evaluation of ideas
  5. clear communication of ideas, whether someone else’s or one’s own written presentation of findings in an orderly way

   Employability

  1. all traditional intellectual skills such as critical analysis and evaluation of evidence together with modelling and solving problems
  2. key skills such as informal oral communication and clear written communication
  3. familiarity with a PC-computer and the production of documents
  4. improvement of performance through review and discipline
  5. listening to another viewpoint but also to enter into its merits
  6. detection of defects even in a highly skilled argument – in its assumptions, argument, conclusions and applications
  7. collegial and collaborative enquiry and negotiation of perceptions
  8. self-reliance and adaptability in a chosen project

How the module will be assessed

Summative:  (a) two written assignments of no more than 1,500 words each (b) one hour examination.

Formative: Small group responses, individual short papers and/or presentations prepared through the course providing in-module guidance to progress and one draft summative essay for tutor comment

Assessment Breakdown

Type % Title Duration(hrs)
Exam - Spring Semester 50 Theology On The Edge: Christian Thought In A Changing World 1.5
Written Assessment 50 Coursework N/A

Syllabus content

 problems associated with Hebrew and Christian concepts of God including moral attributes

issues arising in relating God to the world,

Christian theologies in the 21st century western world, particularly such movements as

some key Christian theological movements/trends or ethnic/cultural expressions such as feminist theology and other revisions of classical approaches, Latin American/Asian/African theologies, a theology of hope etc.

some key classical ideas such as Catholic, Eastern orthodox and Reformed traditions in relation to the modern world

Essential Reading and Resource List

Metz, J-B, and Schilebeeckx, E (eds.), God As Father, (Concilium 143), Edinburgh, T & T  Clark, 1989 (a groundbreaking discussion)

McFague, S, Models of God. Theology for an Ecological, Nuclear Age, London, SCM, 1987

Moltmann, J, The Crucified God, SCM, 1975

                        The Trinity and the Kingdom of God, London, SCM, 1981

                        God in Creation, SCM, London, 1990

                        The Spirit of Life, London, SCM, 1992 (or its attractive, more popular version: The Source, The Holy Spirit                                                   and the Theology of Life, 1997)

Placher, William C, The Domestication of Transcendence, Kentucky, Westminster John Knox, 1996

Taylor, J V, The Christlike God,  London, SCM, 1992

Willis, David E,  Notes on the Holiness of God, Grand Rapids, Eerdmans, 2002

Theological Movements and Trends: introductory literature only

Avis, Paul, Methods of Modern Theology  London, Marshalls, 1986

Ford, David (ed.), The Modern Theologians  Vols 1 & 2, Oxford, Blackwell,1997

Grenz, S J & Olson, R E,  20th Century Theology  Illinois, IVP, 1992

Grenz, S J & Franke, J  R, Beyond Foundationalism. Shaping Theology in a Postmodern Context, Louisville,                                                                 Westminster John Knox, 2001

Gibellini, R, Paths of African Theology, Maryknoll, Orbis, 1994

Johnson, E A, She Who Is, New York, Crossroads, 1993

MacQuarrie, J,  Twentieth Century Religious Thought,  London, SCM, 1994

Moltmann, J, Experiences of Theology. Ways and Forms of Christian Theology, London, SCM, 2000

Further reading on specific topics could change from year to year


Copyright Cardiff University. Registered charity no. 1136855