Description

Part of the beauty of systematic theology is that if we begin with any of its parts we will be led to the rest. In this course we take as our starting point “third article” theology (“We believe in the Holy Spirit…”), and ask principally how the Holy Spirit unites us to Jesus Christ, keeps us in Christ, goes ahead of us as we go out in Christ’s name, and works in us and among us a longing for Christ's appearing.

In keeping with the principal aim of all theology, in this course our desire is to know God and his ways better so that we can grow in gratitude for what he has done for us and serve him more faithfully. In keeping with the principal aim of systematic theology, by the end of this course students should have a good understanding of how the principal doctrines of “third article” theology (outlined below) both hold together and relate to Christian theology as a whole. From there, they should be able to articulate those doctrines clearly and confidently, anticipating some of the main challenges we face as we seek to teach and proclaim them in our day.

Textbook(s) and readings

Horton, Michael. The Christian Faith: A Systematic Theology for Pilgrims on the Way. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Academic: 2011. Chapters 17 to 29 [440 pages]. (Kindle edition through Amazon: $36.52 USD).

Selection of primary sources (.pdf files to be provided).