Theology Course

Lesson 1 • Defining Theology and Its Scope

Theology is defined as disciplined reflection on the divine and human experience. This grounds all subsequent study in a shared conceptual vocabulary.

Lesson 2 • Sources and Norms of Theology

Identifies the primary sources theologians use: scripture, tradition, reason, and experience. Students learn how each source functions as a norm for theological claims.

Lesson 3 • Major Theological Traditions

Surveys the principal streams of Christian theology and their distinctive emphases. Provides a map of the landscape students will navigate throughout the course.

Lesson 1 • Modern Historical-Critical Methods

Introduces source, form, redaction, and narrative criticism as analytical tools. Students apply these methods to selected biblical passages.

Lesson 2 • Theories of Biblical Inspiration

Compares verbal, plenary, and dynamic theories of inspiration and their implications. Students evaluate how each theory shapes interpretive practice.

Lesson 3 • Contemporary Hermeneutical Approaches

Surveys feminist, liberation, postcolonial, and canonical approaches to scripture. Students assess how interpretive location shapes theological conclusions.

Lesson 4 • Canon Formation and Textual History

Traces how the biblical canon was formed and transmitted across centuries. Establishes the textual foundation necessary for responsible interpretation.

Lesson 1 • Trinitarian Theology

Develops the doctrine of the Trinity from biblical roots through conciliar definition. Students analyse the immanent and economic Trinity distinction.

Lesson 2 • Process and Open Theism

Introduces process theology and open theism as revisions to classical divine attributes. Students compare these models with classical theism on key doctrinal points.

Lesson 3 • Classical Theism and Divine Attributes

Examines omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, and divine simplicity as classically formulated. Establishes the baseline doctrine against which modern revisions are measured.

Lesson 4 • The Problem of Evil and Theodicy

Addresses logical and evidential problems of evil and major theodicy responses. Students construct and evaluate theodicy arguments using prior doctrinal knowledge.

Lesson 1 • Theories of Atonement

Compares satisfaction, moral influence, Christus Victor, and penal substitution models. Students assess each theory's biblical grounding and pastoral implications.

Lesson 2 • Salvation: Grace, Faith, and Works

Examines justification, sanctification, and the grace-faith-works debate across traditions. Students map soteriological differences between Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox positions.

Lesson 3 • Contemporary Christological Models

Surveys Christology from above, from below, and Spirit Christology as modern approaches. Students evaluate each model's coherence with conciliar orthodoxy.

Lesson 4 • Historical Jesus and Christ of Faith

Distinguishes historical-critical research on Jesus from confessional Christological claims. Students assess the theological significance of historical Jesus scholarship.

Lesson 1 • Doctrine of the Holy Spirit

Covers the Spirit's identity, procession, and work in creation, scripture, and the church. Builds on Trinitarian theology to specify the Spirit's distinct role.

Lesson 2 • Human Destiny and Eschatological Hope

Introduces individual eschatology including death, judgment, and resurrection as anthropological endpoints. Prepares students for the full eschatology chapter later in the course.

Lesson 3 • Theological Anthropology

Examines the imago Dei, body-soul constitution, and human dignity as theological categories. Students connect anthropological claims to ethical and pastoral applications.

Lesson 1 • Nature and Marks of the Church

Defines the church using the four marks: one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. Students analyse how each mark is understood differently across traditions.

Lesson 2 • Models of the Church

Surveys institutional, mystical communion, sacrament, herald, and servant models. Students evaluate which models best address contemporary ecclesial challenges.

Lesson 3 • Sacramental Theology: Foundations

Defines sacrament, ex opere operato, and the number of sacraments across traditions. Establishes the theological grammar needed to analyse individual sacraments.

Lesson 4 • Baptism and Eucharist

Analyses the theology and practice of the two sacraments recognised across all major traditions. Students compare real presence, memorial, and spiritual presence eucharistic theories.

Lesson 1 • New Creation and Cosmic Eschatology

Develops the theology of new creation, cosmic renewal, and the eschatological community. Students connect eschatology to ethics, ecology, and social transformation.

Lesson 2 • Millennial Views and Interpretive Models

Compares premillennial, postmillennial, and amillennial positions and their hermeneutical bases. Students evaluate each position's exegetical and theological strengths.

Lesson 3 • Biblical Eschatological Themes

Surveys kingdom of God, apocalyptic literature, and resurrection hope in both Testaments. Provides the scriptural foundation for systematic eschatological construction.

Lesson 4 • Heaven, Hell, and Universal Salvation

Analyses traditional, annihilationist, and universalist positions on eternal destiny. Students construct and defend a position using biblical and theological arguments.

Lesson 1 • Sexual Ethics and Relational Theology

Examines theological frameworks for sexuality, marriage, and gender from multiple traditions. Students assess traditional and revisionist positions using doctrinal and ethical criteria.

Lesson 2 • Conscience, Law, and Moral Norms

Examines the role of conscience, moral law, and normative principles in ethical decision-making. Students apply these concepts to cases requiring moral discernment.

Lesson 3 • Bioethics and Human Life

Addresses beginning-of-life, end-of-life, and biotechnology issues from a theological perspective. Students evaluate competing positions using the ethical frameworks established earlier.

Lesson 4 • Foundations of Theological Ethics

Distinguishes theological ethics from philosophical ethics and identifies its distinctive sources. Establishes the methodological framework used throughout the chapter.