TRS6312 - The Christian Understanding of God

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:\

(1) Demonstrate an understanding of the distinctiveness and complexity of Trinitarian theology
(2) Demonstrate an understanding of the distinctiveness and complexity of Christology in modern theology
(3) Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between Christology and Trinitarian theology, and the impact of these two areas on other aspects of Christian doctrine
(4) Critically analyse and evaluate the contribution of modern and contemporary theologians to Christian thinking about God

Content:

A range of topics related to Christology and Trinitarian theology will be introduced and discussed, which may include (for example):

• Christ in Art and Film
• Models of the Atonement
• Christology and the World Religions
• The importance and nature of the resurrection
• Christ in Modernity – from Rationalism to Romanticism
• Neo-Orthodoxy and Christocentrism
• Christology after Vatican II – Rahner and Schillebeeckx
• Christ and the Suffering of God – Moltmann, Fiddes, Weinandy
• Christ and Context – African, Asian, Feminist and other Christologies
• The identity of Jesus Christ – Christology in a Postliberal Age
• Kenotic Christologies and the Trinity – from Thomasius to Balthasar
• The Function and Relevance of the Doctrine of the Trinity
• The Trinity in the Bible
• The Renewal of Trinitarian Theology – Rahner, Barth, Lacugna
• Trinity, revelation and truth
• Trinity and Personhood
• Trinity and the Church
• Trinity and Society
• The poverty of Western Pneumatology
• The Future of the Christian Understanding of God

Learning and Teaching Information:

The course will be taught in plenary sessions which will make use of a blend of teaching and learning methods. These will normally include: lecture-style presentations by the tutor; seminar-style discussion of a particular topic; informal prepared presentations by students, followed by discussion; other exercises as appropriate to material and group. Guidance on reading in preparation for each session and activity will be given; and learning will be supported where appropriate by VLE and other electronic resources.

Lecures/Seminars
Contact Hours: 40
Number of Groups:1

Assessment: