Syllabus for 2010 Christian Theology II Spring Semester
Wise, Va.
By Rev Michael Moore

Course Description (TP 202):
The following course in Systematic Theology will help each student to have a better understanding of the major theological doctrines of our faith and how they can be organized, presented, and studied as a systematic whole. Each student should be able to do the following:

• Understand and articulate what is the nature and methodology of Christian Theology.
• To recognize and better understand the sources (both intentional and unintentional) that affects our understanding and practice of Christian theology.
• To articulate a growing appreciation for the second half of great doctrines of our faith such as: Christology, Holy Spirit, Salvation, Ecclesiology, and Eschatology.
• To continue to demonstrate through the use of Bible study and hermeneutical analysis the need for a systematic approach to Christian theology.
• To further demonstrate a growing knowledge and appreciation of the history of Christian theology in relationship to these great doctrines.

Christian Theology II (Spring 2010)

Doctrine of Christology

Person and Work of Jesus Christ (Incarnation and Atonement)

Class 1

• Deity of Jesus
• Who Jesus believed Himself to be
• The Gospel of John
• Hebrews
• Paul
• Lordship of Jesus
• Ebionism and Arianism

Class 2

• Humanity of Jesus
• Why human?
• Scriptural evidence
• Heresies about the humanity of Jesus
• The sinlessness of Jesus Christ

Class 3

• The Unity of the Person of Jesus Christ
• Importance and difficulty of the issue.
• Biblical evidence
• Early attempts of understanding unity
• Other attempts to understand the problem
• Basic tenets of the Doctrine of Two Natures in One Person

Class 4

• The Virgin Birth
• What is the virgin birth?
• What is the evidence?
• What is the theological significance of the virgin birth?

Class 5 & 6

• The Work of Jesus
• The functions of Christ
• The stages of Christ’s work
• Humiliation
• Death ( detail discussion Class 7)
• Descent into Hades
• Resurrection
• Ascension and Seating at the right hand of the Father
• Second Coming (discussion in part)

Classes 7 & 8

• Atonement
• Theories of Atonement
• Old Testament sacrificial system
• New Testament teaching
• Meaning of Atonement

Doctrine of the Holy Spirit

Classes 9 &10

• Person of Holy Spirit
• Importance of the doctrine
• The history of the doctrine
• The nature of Holy Spirit
• The personality of the Holy Spirit.
• Work of the Holy Spirit
• The work of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament
• The work of the Holy Spirit as seen by Jesus
• The work of the Holy Spirit as by the early church
• The work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer

Doctrine of Salvation

Classes 11 & 12

• Concepts of salvation
• Union with Christ
• Justification
• Adoption
• Sanctification
• Christian living
• Perseverance
• Glorification

Doctrine of Ecclesiology

Class 13

• Nature of the church
• Role of the church
• Baptism
• Lord’s Supper
• Unity of the church

Doctrine of Eschatology

Class 14 & 15

• What is eschatology?
• Individual Eschatology
• The Second Coming and its consequents
• Millennial and Tribulational views
• Final states

The final test will either be the last part of class 15 or it will be a take home on that date.

*Keep in mind that even though we will try our best to cover all the topics of syllabus the actual dates of presentation may vary depending on discussion and time restraints throughout the course.

Required Readings:

Christian Theology (Second Edition) by Millard J. Erickson
Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms by Donald K. McKim

Assignments and Evaluation

Participation: 10%
The class will involve the presentation of material in the form of a lecture, but the main thrust of the class will be seminar discussion. I hope that everyone will feel free to express their opinions without the fear of being judged. As far as I am concerned, I do not always expect you to agree with the readings nor necessarily with me, but I do ask you to read the material and be prepared to enter in on the discussion, and to do so in a Christ like manner.

Mid-term Exam: 30% (in class exam)

Paper: 30%
This paper will be a research paper using at least four non-internet sources. The subject of the paper will be of the students choosing within the perimeters of the second half of our doctrinal study. I hope that each person might choose an area of Christian Theology that they are least familiar with so that they might maximize their learning experience.

The length of the paper will be 6 to 10 type written pages. The topic of the paper (only) must be turned in to me the second Tuesday after the midterm, with a short outline of what you intend soon to follow. Be sure to document and footnote all of the quotes and resources that you use in your paper. Leland wants us to write papers with correct grammar, style, form, and intellectual integrity.

Final exam 30%

If you have any questions about anything dealing with the course requirements or material, call or email me at home. 276-762-9042; email spbapmoore@gmail.com.