250.515 Introduction to Systematic Theology | Booth College of Mission

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250.515 Introduction to Systematic Theology

Credits: 15

NQF Level: 5

Year: 2018

Delivery Mode

Upper Hutt Campus: School for Officer Training; School of Bible and Mission

Course Description

An introduction to theology that answers the question: What do Christians believe and why? The course examines the sources of theological authority; theological method based on those sources; the content of Christian belief; and how theology relates to individual, communal and global life. The students are also introduced to the eleven Salvationist statements of faith and in particular to the theological distinctives which have emerged as part of The Salvation Army’s engagement with society and the wider church.

Indicative Content

  1. Christian belief: Unity and diversity
  2. Sources and norms of Christian belief: One and many
  3. Divine revelation and good theology: Universal and particular
  4. Culture: The Context of Christian Theology
  5. God: Three and one (Trinity)
  6. Jesus Christ: Human and divine (Christology)
  7. The Holy Spirit (Pneumatology)
  8. Creation: Good and fallen (Harmatology)
  9. Humanity: Creature, sinner, and new being in Christ (Anthropology)
  10. Salvation: Objective and subjective, Gift and task (Soteriology)
  11. The church: Visible and invisible, worshipping and missional (Ecclesiology)
  12. Continuity and discontinuity in the Kingdom (Eschatology)
  13. Salvationist theological distinctives

Please note: Each lesson examines Christian theology using the themes listed above, how Salvationists have interpreted those themes and explores Salvation Army theological distinctives where they occur.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course the student will be able to:

  • Apply and evaluate theological methods using Christian doctrines, The Salvation Army statements of faith and foundational knowledge in order to explore contemporary practices.
  • Evaluate the relevance of basic Christian doctrines and beliefs including Salvationist theological distinctives for discipleship and ministry contexts in order to enhance personal and spiritual self-awareness.
  • Integrate and apply core tools of theology and Christian beliefs and doctrines including Salvationist statements of faith to the broader community in order to provide culturally and ethically appropriate leadership and direction.