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Introducing Christian Theologies

Module description

This module introduces some primary concepts associated with the study of theology in the Western Christian tradition. You will be introduced to the major sources of Christian theology, Scripture, tradition, reason and experience, and the ways in which these have been understood to interrelate. You will engage with the language of theological study and be introduced to major areas of Christian doctrinal theology, such as creation, theological anthropology, evil and suffering, the doctrine of God, Christology, pneumatology, eschatology, soteriology, and ecclesiology. You will engage with primary texts by key theologians, and will also begin to engage with contextual theologies and to understand how critical theories have impacted upon accounts of Christian theology. The module will introduce you to questions surrounding theologies in practice, through a focus on issues such as climate change, global relations, and bodily justice.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module introduces some primary concepts associated with the study of theology in the Eastern and Western Christian tradition. 

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Demonstrate knowledge of the basic terminology and concepts associated with Eastern and Western Christian theology and the ability to work with it critically
• 2. Engage with major theories, movements and thinkers within Eastern and Western Christian theology

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 3. Understand how beliefs and doctrines have developed and continue to develop within particular social and cultural contexts
• 4. Discern and debate different positions and issues
• 5. Appreciate both the interconnectedness of and internal tensions within a system of beliefs and practices
• 6. Develop coherent arguments in relation to given traditions of thought

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 7. Demonstrate information gathering
• 8. Demonstrate time management
• 9. Demonstrate library and IT skills

Syllabus plan

Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:

• What is Theology? The Language of Theology
• The Sources of Theology
• Doctrine of God; Trinitarian Theology
• Doctrine of Creation
• Doctrine of Theological Anthropology
• Doctrines surrounding Evil and Suffering; theodicy
• Christology
• Soteriology
• Pneumatology / the Holy Spirit
• Ecclesiology
• Eschatology / the End Times

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Fiorenza, Francis Schüssler and John P. Gavin, eds. (1991), Systematic Theology: Roman Catholic Perspectives, 2 vols.(Minneapolis: Fortress Press)
• Higton, Mike (2008), SCM Core Text: Christian Doctrine, London: SCM Press
• Lossky, Vladimir (1976), The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church, trans./ed. Peter Hammond, A. M. Allchin, Evgeny Lampert (New York: St Vladimir’s Seminary Press).
• Miles, Margaret (2005), The Word Made Flesh: A History of Christian Thought, Oxford: Blackwell
• Migliore, Daniel (2004 2^nd ed), Faith Seeking Understanding: An Introduction to Christian Theology, Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans
• Williams, Rowan (1999), On Christian Theology: Challenges in Contemporary Theology, Oxford: Blackwell

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE – https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=4907