Prolegomena and the Triune God (CT1201L)

Undergraduate, 18.0 points

Content

This unit first examines topics traditionally covered by prolegomena. It begins by reflecting on the nature of theology and its relation to receptive spirituality. Attention is given to Luther’s theological method of oratio, meditatio, and tentatio as well as the Lutheran presuppositions for doing theology. The unit introduces the nature and function of Scripture, and its relation to reason, tradition, and experience as well as an introduction to Lutheran hermeneutics.

The second part of the unit examines the biblical and theological teaching of the triune God as expressed in terms of the immanent and the economic Trinity. The unit will also explore the modern discussion on the Trinity, including: the Fatherhood of God; the name of God in Feminist Theology; the question of the eternal subordination of the Son; and the filioque. The unit is designed to give the student the necessary basis for further study in systematic theology.

Unit code: CT1201L

Unit status: Archived (Major revision)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 1

Unit discipline: Systematic Theology

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Australian Lutheran College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Discuss how Lutherans do theology, including the key emphases on Luther’s Theology of the Cross and receptive spirituality
2.

Articulate the Lutheran doctrine of Scripture

3.

Explain the relation between faith, reason, experience, tradition, and Scripture

4.

Outline the main features of Lutheran hermeneutics
5.

Discuss the immanent Trinity and the economic Trinity and indicate how these relate to each other
6.

Critique contemporary approaches to Trinitarian theology

Pedagogy

Learner-centred approach, incorporating strategies such as lectures, group discussion and debate, reporting on weekly set readings, visual representation of ideas by students, personal reflection and brainstorming.

Indicative Bibliography

  • Bayer, Oswald.Martin Luther’s theology: a contemporary interpretation. Translated by Thomas H. Trapp. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans. 2008.
  • Jenson, Robert. Systematic theology. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 1997.
  • Jones, Beth Felker. Practicing Christian doctrine: an introduction to thinking and living theologically. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2014. (ALC Library also holds an electronic resource)
  • Kolb, Robert. The Christian faith: a Lutheran exposition. St Louis, MO: Concordia 1993
  • LaCugna, Catherine. God for us: the Trinity and Christian life. San Francisco, CA: HarperCollins, 1993.
  • McGrath, Alister E. 2010. Christian theology: an introduction. 5th ed. New York, NY: Wiley-Blackwell. (Available as ebook from Löhe Memorial Library.)
  • Migliore, Daniel L. Faith seeking understanding: an introduction to Christian theology. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans. 2014
  • Peters, Ted. God—the world’s future: systematic theology for a new era. 3rd ed. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress, 2015.
  • Soulen, R. Kendall. The divine name(s) and the Holy Trinity: distinguishing the voices. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2011.
  • Toom, Tarmo. Classical trinitarian theology: a textbook. New York: T & T Clark, 2007.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Report

Report (on Luther’s Theology of the Cross) 800 words

 800 20.0
Essay

Essay (on Scripture) 1600 words

 1600 40.0
Essay

Essay (on the Trinity) 1600 words

 1600 40.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 27 Sep, 2019

Unit record last updated: 2021-06-07 08:43:51 +1000