Prolegomena and the Triune God (CT8003L)

Postgraduate, 24.0 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 as well as examining the distinctive characteristics of a Lutheran approach to 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: CT8003L

Unit status: Approved (Major revision)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Foundational

Unit discipline: Systematic Theology

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.

Compare the Lutheran doctrine of Scripture with other traditions
3.

Analyse the relationship between faith, reason, experience, tradition, and Scripture
4.

Integrate the main features of Lutheran hermeneutical approach in an academic setting
5.

Analyse the different views on the relationship between the immanent Trinity and the economic Trinity

Pedagogy

This unit uses teaching strategies (e.g. lectures, group discussion and debate, reporting on weekly set readings, visual representation of ideas by students, personal reflection and brainstorming) which encourage student engagement and participation in a variety of learning tasks and opportunities which foster deep learning.

Indicative Bibliography

  • Bayer, Oswald. Martin Luther’s Theology: A Contemporary Interpretation. Translated by Thomas H. Trapp. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2008.
  • Coda, Piero, and Peter J Casarella. From the Trinity: The Coming of God in Revelation and Theology. Edited by William Neu. Washington, D.C.: Catholic University of America Press, 2020.
  • Jones, Beth Felker. Practicing Christian Doctrine : An Introduction to Thinking and Living Theologically. Second ed. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2023.
  • 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. Christian Theology: An Introduction. 5th ed. New York, NY: Wiley Blackwell. 2010.
  • Migliore, Daniel L. Faith Seeking Understanding: An Introduction to Christian Theology. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2004.
  • Nafzger, Peter. “These Are Written”: Toward a Cruciform Theology of Scripture. Eugene, OR: Pickwick Publications, 2013.
  • 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

Theology of the Cross

 1000 15.0
Essay

Inspiration, inerrancy and authority of Scripture including implications for contemporary ministry

 2100 30.0
Seminar or Tutorial

Presentation of independent research on a topic to be negotiated with the lecturer

 1700 25.0
Essay

Economic and immanent trinity including implications for contemporary ministry

 2200 30.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 18 Sep, 2024

Unit record last updated: 2024-09-18 08:11:18 +1000