Topic outline

  • Course Description

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    Contemporary Issues in Theology is a course that focuses attention on several broad categories within the larger context of Theology. Specifically, this course analyzes certain topics within the fields of ecclesiology, eschatology, Christology, soteriology, the trinity, and the nature and function of Scripture. A special emphasis will be given to awareness of the issues within these fields of theology and the gaining of additional knowledge and insights in the same.

  • Welcome & Pre-Course Information

    • Welcome to the course, Contemporary Issues in Theology. Below, you will find the course syllabus which contains a list of the required textbooks for the course. A few days before class starts (Sept. 7), I will open the module for Week 1, including all assignments. For now, it would be a good idea to download the syllabus and begin obtaining the books required for the course. I'm looking forward to a great semester of learning together.

    • Also, take a moment to introduce yourself to the class by providing a little information about yourself in the forum listed below. I have already posted some information about myself in the "Instructor Intro" thread.

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      Course Syllabus File
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      Student Introductions Forum

    • Happy Labor Day! Assignments will begin on Tuesday, September 8th.  

  • Week 1 (September 7-13)

    The Task of Theology

  • Week 2 (Sept. 14-20)

    The Authority & Inspiration of Scripture

  • Week 3 (Sept. 21-27)

    Scripture & Hermeneutics

    • My aologies for being absent from last week's discussion boards. I have been out of the country since last Tuesday and just returned Monday (today) the 21st. I thought I would be able to do my work there and with you all at the same time. I was wrong! It seemed like I did not have time at all. I will put up new assignments tomorrow (Tues.) and explain a little better in the introductory audio for the week. Good to be back with you all again! Again, my apologies, but thanks for your comments and discussion among yourselves.

    • This week we extend our study on Scripture and Hermeneutics, with an emphasis on the "Silence of Scripture". Read chapter 7 "Reading Scripture with Ancient Eyes" in God's Holy Fire. Then respond to the questions in the discussion board below by Saturday night.

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      Discussion Questions Week Three Forum
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      Audio File of Narrative Theology Page

  • Week 4 (Sept. 28-Oct.4)

    The Triune God

    • This week we move into a discussion of the Triune God (the Trinity). Read Migliore's chapter 4, "The Triune God". As you read, pay close attention to the Scriptures Migliore uses as he discusses what the phrase "Triune God" mean. Then answer the questions in the discussion board below.

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      Discussion Questions Week 4 The Triune God Forum

    • Throughout the week, I will be posting a series of audios that you may listen to and download. These audios will be readings taken from the Allister McGrath's large work: Christian Theology: An Introduction. There is no assignment that goes with these audios; they are simply additional resources for you to have in relation to the different areas in the discussion of the person of God.  

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      Biblical Foundations of the Trinity (short video) Page
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      The Historical Development of the Trinity: Terms Page

  • Week 5 (October 5-11)

    Christology: The Person and Work of Jesus Christ

  • Week 6 & 7 (Oct. 12-25)

    Week 6: Pneumatology: The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit

    Week 7: Summary: Thoughts & comments on the Triune God, The Person of Jesus Christ and the Doctrine of the Holy Spirit.

    • In this week #6, we focus on the Doctrine of the Holy Spirit. Read Migliore, chapter 10"The Holy Spirit and the Christian Life" and also Everett Ferguson, The Church of Christ: pp. 103-113 on the Community of the Holy Spirit. Then answer the discussion questions in the forum for week 6.

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      Week 6 Discussion: The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit Forum

    • Since our readings on the Doctrine of the Holy Spirit are a little longer than previous sections, I want these two weeks to be a sort of wrap-up on the Trinity as a whole, so discussions on the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are encouraged throughout, but especially in week 7 discussions. I will set two discussion forums to help us keep track of subjects a little better.

      The first forum for week 6 will be on the Holy Spirit. The forum for week 7 will be for any summary thoughts and comments on any aspect of the past several weeks on the Trinity. Comments on the Holy Spirit will, of course, also be welcome in week 7 forum. Feel free to contribute to either forum at any time during these two weeks.

      There will not be any structured questions posted under week 7 forum, just your thoughts as a whole are encouraged, special insights that you found helpful and thought provoking are especially welcome.

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      Forum for Week 7: Wrap-up on the Trinity

    • Updated Assignment: Reflection Paper #2. There is a different book and due date for your reflection paper #2. See details below in the assignment. If you have any questions, please send me an email.

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      Reflection Paper on Unveiling Glory: Visions of Christ's Transforming Presence Assignment

  • Week 8 (Oct. 26-Nov. 1)

    The Providence of God & the Mystery of Evil

    • For this week, please read Migliore, chapter 6: "The Providence of God & the Mystery of Evil" and respond to the prompts in the discussion board below.

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      Week 8: Discussion Forum

    • Just added these audios in the link below Saturday morning. They work better if you download them first and then listen to them. No assignment; just additional resources.

  • Week 9 (Nov. 2-8)

    Ecclesiology: Doctrine of Baptism

    • This week we begin to move into the area of Ecclesiology: Matters of the Church. The first topic we will be considering is the Doctrine of Baptism.

      Please read Everett Ferguson, The Early Church and Today, chapters 11 ("Baptismal motifs in the Ancient Church") and 12 ("Baptism in the Patristric Period") . Also read over Ferguson's book, The Church of Christ, pp. 179-202 on baptism. Then post a response to these readings in the forum below.

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      Week 9 Forum: Ecclesiology: The Doctrine of Baptism

  • Week 10 (Nov. 9-15)

    Ecclesiology: Christian Worship

    • This week we continue to focus on the general topic of Ecclesiology, now turning to matters of Christian Worship. Please read, Ferguson's The Early Church and Today, chapter 15 "Justin Martyr and the Liturgy" and Ferguson's The Church of Christ, pp. 249-279, where he discusses matters of worship such as the Lord's Supper, prayer, giving, singing, etc.

      The focus for next week will be on a Theology of Chrstian Singing and Music, so we will reserve more of our attention and comments on singing for next week's discussion.

      The discussion forum questions will be added below. May the Lord bless your readings, study and reflections for this week!

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      Week 10 Forum: Ecclesiology: Christian Worship

  • Week 11 (Nov. 16-24)

    Ecclesiology: Christian Singing & Music

    • This week we continue to look at Ecclesiology, and our focus turns to Christian Singing and music. Read Ferguson The Early Church and Today, Section V (chapters 19-24, pp. 263-end of the book) and The Church of Christ (pp. 268-273).

      I realize this is a considerable amount of reading for this section, but I believe Ferguson has given us an excellent presentation in this area of church doctrine and practice and I would like for us to consider this entire section.

      However, since this is a more considerable amount of reading, let's extend our time to comment in the discussion forum until Tuesday, Nov. 24th (if you need it). And since the rest of that following week is Thanksgiving, there will not be any new additional assignments. We will pick up our next section of study on the following Monday, November 30th for our final two weeks in the course.

      Hope this makes sense. If any questions, feel free to send me an email. Blessings, and Happy Holidays!

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      Week 11 Discussion Forum: Christian Singing & Music

  • Week 12 (Nov. 25-29) Thanksgiving Break

    Happy Holidays!

    • No assignments!

  • Week 13 (Nov. 30-Dec. 6)

    Eschatology: The Return of Christ

    • For our last two weeks in this course, we will give our attention to eschatology, the study of the end things. In particular this week, we discuss the return of Christ. Please read Leon Crouch, An Introduction to Eschatology, chapters 7-9, then comment in the discussion forum below.

    • Reminder: Reflection paper on the Unveiling Glory: Visions of Christ's Transforming Presence should be turned in by Monday, December 7th.

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      Week 13 Forum: The Return of Christ

  • Week 14 (Dec. 7-13)

    Eschatology: The Final Things

    • This is the final week in the course and I just want to say that I appreciate all of your work in this class. Your readings and posts in the discussion forums have been very thorough. Ialso appeciate your willingness to listen to one another and how you responded to each other's comments from time to time. I pray that the readings you have done this term have helped you to think through these issues more deeply and that you have gained some new perspectives and perhaps reaffirmed others you may have already had. May the Lord continue to guide you and bless you in your lives, families and ministries now and in the future.  

    • For the final "assignment" I would like to ask you to read chapters 10-13 in Crouch's book Introduction to Eschatology. Then comment in the discussion forum below. The discussion forum will be open to your general comments on the "final things".  

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      Week 14: Eschatology: The Final Things Forum