TALBOT SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY
Philosophy of Religion and Ethics TS 591 Exploring Approaches to Apologetics (3) Gordon R. Lewis, Ph.D. The course compares biblical, historical and recent approaches to defending faith in God, Christ and Scripture. It emphas izes th e co ntrast between Peter's method of reasoning among the Jews in Jerusalem (Acts 2) and Paul's among the Gemiles in Athens (Ac ts 17). It compares the still influential approaches of Augustine and Aquinas. However, the bulk of the course exam- ines six approaches of apologists who led in the resurgence of evangelicalism during the last half of the 20th century. Each approach uses different starting points and fo1ms of argument: empiri- cal/ inductive, rational/deductive, self- authenticating pres uppositions, self- authenticat ing mystical experiences and hypothesis/ verification. Students are enco uraged to integ rate the strengths of the var ied approaches. The last three lectures, exhibiting the lecturer's synthesis, are entitled: Why I Believe in God, Why I Beli eve in Jesus Christ, and WhyI Beli eve the Bible. TS 592 Christian Ethics: ABiblical Theology of Morality (3) James M. Grier; Th.D. An examination of the theories of oblig- ation and the theories of value from a phi losophical perspective. A Bibli cal theology of ob ligation and a Biblical theology of value are presented along with their implications for decision-mak- ing in personal life and church life.
TS 586 AHistory of the Church in China Since 1949 (3) Jonathan Chao, Ph.D. This co urse tr ea ts the history of Protestant Christianity in Socialist China since 1949 and outlines this period in twelve sections dealing with tl1e changing political movements and their impact on religious policy; the rise of the Three Self Patriotic Move- ment (TSPM); Christian suffering during the cultural revolution; and the emergence and growth of th e thriving house churches. Detailed deve lopment of th e house church evangel istic and leadership training methods is verified with illustrations from fi eld experience. TS 587 African Theology and Religions (2) TileTien.au, Ph.D. An introduction to Christian th eo lo- giz in g in Africa against th e back- ground of African cultures and reli- gions. Since Africa has witnessed a rapid expansion of the Christian faith, it is imperative that people interested in Christian miniSll)' in the continent should familiarize themselves with the major issues involved in developing an authenti c Christian theology within the contemporary colllex t of the con- tinent. After a bri ef examination of how to study and tmderstand Africa, the course will focus on factors which led to the debate on Christian theolo- gizin g in Afr ica. Descriptions and ana lyses of African religions wi ll be provided. African theology wi ll be swdied in depth.
TS 574 The History of the Church Since the Reformation (3) Garth M. Rosell, Ph.D. The course is designed to provide the student with a basic introduction to the developm ent of the Christ ian church since the time of the Protes- tant Reformation to the present day. TS 575 The History of Christianity in America (3) John D. Hannah, Th.D. , Ph.D. A study of the Protestant churches in America from colonial beginnings to the prese nt with emphas is on th e numerous influences that have forged the current religious scene. TS 576 The Theology of Jonathan Edwards (3) john H. Gerstner; Ph,.D. An exam in ation of the theo logy of Jonathan Edwards in detail. Taking a topical approach, the course cove rs Edwards' teachings regarding all the major points of Systematic Theology with particular emphasis on Edward's unique theological contributions. TS 577 The Theology of Martin Luther (3) Robert Kolb,, Ph.D. The Theology ofMartin Luther reviews the presenta ti on of biblica l doc trin e according to topics in historical con- text. The presuppositions of his theol- ogy are se t forth in his distinction of the two kinds of righteousness and the theology of the cross. Against this background Luther's treatment of cen- tral Chri stian doctrines, particularly justification in the faith and the means of grace, are explored. Significant treatmenl is given to his understanding of life in human culture and society. TS 578 The Radical Reformation (3) Allraham hiesen, Ph.D. This course examines the history of the Radical Reformation. It fo llows a topical , chronological, and historical progression, cove ring the genesis of the movement, its rel ation to the Renaissance and the Reformation , its various manifestations and the even- tual development of the movement. TS 579 Contemporary Theology (3) j ohn S. Feinbe,g, Ph.D. In this course we shal l attempt to examine some of the major u·ends in contempo- ra1)' thought. In order to set the back- ground for contempora,y theological and philosophical discourse, we begin with a b1ief philosophical ove1view of the major developments in Western phil osophy prior to Hegel. Di scussion then turns directly to Hegel whose influence extends throughout the modern period. Kierkegaard represents not only a reac-
lion to Hegel , but is also the first of the existentialist 01iented tl1eologians we con- sider. After Kierkegaard, the course turns to Bart11, Bultmann, and Tillich. Parallel to these developments in theology was the development of analytic philosophy. Our emphasis will be philosophy of the earlier and later Wittgenstein. The course culmi- nates in the God is Dead Theologies of Paul Van Buren and Thomas Altizer. Missions Studies TS 581 Introduction to World Christian Missions (2) William D. Taylar, Ph.D. An introductory survey of the theol- ogy, hi sto ry, culture, politi cs , and methods of th e Christian mi ssion, with special emphasis on recent deve l- opments, crucia l issues and future trends, ending with a study of mis- sions in the local church. TS 582 The History of Missions (3) J Herbert Kane, L.H.D. This course tsaces the historic develop- ment of th e Christian mi ss ion in chronological sequence from Pente- cost to William Carey (1793). The modern period is deve loped along geo- graph ical lines: Asia, tl1e Middle East, Africa, Latin Ameri ca an d Europe. The course closes with an attempt to evaluate the ach ievements of the past and the prospects of the future. TS 583 Urban Mission and Ministry (2) Roger S. Greenway, Th.D. A cou rse that focuses on Christian Missions and ministry in the wo rld 's growing ci ti es. The Biblical basis for urban ministry is presented and case studi es of effective urban strategies worldwide are examined. Attention is give to urban issues such as ministry to the poor and homeless, pastoring and raising a family in the city, and plant- ing urban churches. TS 584 Missionary Encounter with World Religions (3) Hmvie M. Conn, Th.M. , Lill.D. An introduction to the theology of religions. A biblical theology of reli- gions is developed against the back- ground of extensive study of currelll models of approach. Using major reli- gious systems as examples, five charac- teristics of all religions arc sketched. Some practical suggestions for evange- listic approach are proposed. TS 585 Theologies of Liberation (2) Kenneth B. Mulholland, D. Th.P. A survey of liberation theologies with particular atten tion to their histori cal developmelll and thematic elabora- ti on in the social and religious context of Latin Ameri ca.
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