Academic courses – unit descriptions
Postgraduate history and theology units
Successful completion of learning objectives and assessment requirements assumes that students have access to the required learning resources listed for consultation and reference.
Note: unit descriptions are correct at time of publishing; however students should check with their lecturer before purchasing any required text books, or if there are any difficulties purchasing them.HIS3001 Beginnings and Growth of Christianity
HIS3006 Perspectives on Lutheranism and Australian Christianity
THE3002 Christian Faith in Modern Context
THE3003 Theology in Conversation with Philosophy
THE3004 Principles of Biblical Interpretation
THE3008 Ecumenical and InterFaith Dialogue
HIS3001 Beginnings and Growth of Christianity
Prerequisites:
- Nil
Course unit purpose:
This is an elective unit for all postgraduate courses, except the DMin and DTh.
That students engage in a critical reading of the major events, movements and issues experienced by the Christian community from its beginning to the present day, becoming, thereby, more skilled in analysing the present and better able to apply understandings to shaping the future in their role as members of the Christian community in society.
Required texts:
- Hill, Jonathan, 2007. The history of Christianity, the new Lion handbook, Lion, Oxford. [2009 paperback available] (OR Dowley, Tim, ed, 1990. The history of Christianity, a Lion handbook, rev ed, Lion, Oxford.)
- Stevenson, J, ed, 1987. A new Eusebius: documents illustrating the history of the Church to AD 337, rev ed, WHC Frend, SPCK, London.
Also required, to purchase or borrow, is a book on Luther (listed in order of preference for this unit):
- Nestingen, James A, 2003. Martin Luther: a life, Augsburg, Minneapolis MN.
OR
- Marty, Martin, 2004. Martin Luther, Penguin lives series, Penguin, New York.
OR
- Kittelson, James M, 2003. Luther the reformer: the story of the man and his career, Fortress, Minneapolis MN.
OR
- Bainton, Roland H, 2009. Here I stand: a life of Martin Luther, Hendrickson, Peabody MA. (First published Abingdon Press, Nashville, 1950)
HIS3006 Perspectives on Lutheranism and Australian Christianity
Prerequisites:
- Nil
Course unit purpose:
This is an elective unit for all postgraduate courses, except the DMin and DTh.
The purpose of this unit is to critically examine and debate important aspects of the arrival, impact, current features, and character of Christianity in Australia, and within that framework to focus in particular on the history of Lutheranism in this country.
Required texts:
- Breward, Ian, 1993. A history of the Australian churches, Allen & Unwin, St Leonards NSW [reprint, 2004, I Breward, Garden City VIC].
- Leske, Everard, 1996. For faith and freedom: the story of Lutherans and Lutheranism in Australia 1836-1996, Openbook, Adelaide SA. [reprint,2009]
THE3002 Christian Faith in Modern Context
Prerequisites:
- Nil
Course unit purpose:
Elective unit for all postgraduate courses, except the DMin and DTh
This unit aims to engage students in a critical reading of the basic teachings of the Christian faith from a Lutheran theological perspective, enabling students to reflect critically on how to apply the teachings in an evangelical and pastoral manner.
Required texts:
- Hebart, Friedemann, 2000. One in the gospel: the Formula of Concord for our day, 2nd ed, Openbook, Adelaide SA.
- Kolb, Robert, 1993. The Christian faith: a Lutheran exposition, Concordia, St Louis MO.
- McGrath, Alister E, 2010. Christian theology: an introduction, 5th ed, Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford UK.
THE3003 Theology in Conversation with Philosophy
Prerequisites:
- Nil
Course unit purpose:
Elective unit for all postgraduate courses, except the DMin and DTh
The purpose of this unit is to engage students in a critical reading of relevant literature detailing major philosophical ideas and traditions that have been influential in the history of theology, to enable students to critically reflect on the relation between philosophy and theology.
Required texts:
- Clark, Kelly, Richard Lints and James Smith, 2004. 101 Key terms in philosophy and their importance for theology, Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville KY.
- Grenz, Stanley J, 1996. A primer on postmodernism, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids MI.
THE3004 Principles of Biblical Interpretation
Prerequisites:
- Bible Then and Now and Christian Faith in Modern Context are desirable but not essential
Course unit purpose:
Elective unit for all postgraduate courses, except the DMin and DTh
This unit seeks to introduce students to the principles and practice of the discipline known as hermeneutics, to demonstrate a Lutheran approach to reading the Bible, to provide opportunity for students to critically study and evaluate current hermeneutical theories, and to engage in the process of developing their own biblical hermeneutics and their own exegetical method.
Required texts:
- Gorman, Michael J, 2009. Elements of biblical exegesis, rev ed, Hendrickson, Peabody MA.
THE3008 Ecumenical and InterFaith Dialogue
Prerequisites:
- Christian Faith in Modern Context is desirable but not essential
Course unit purpose:
Elective unit for all postgraduate courses, except the DMin and DTh.
This unit engages students in critical discussion of the ecumenical movement and the main traditions within the Christian church, to help students critically engage with some of the most important documents that have been produced through conversations between the churches.
Required texts:
- Campbell, Ted A, 1996. Christian confessions: a historical introduction, Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville KY.
- Clendenin, Daniel B, 2003. Eastern Orthodox Christianity: a western perspective, 2nd ed, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids MI.
- Goosen, Gideon, 2001. Bringing churches together: a popular introduction to ecumenism, 2nd ed, WCC Publications, Geneva.
Updated: 23/05/2011 [1.03]
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