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Theology 325: Twentieth Century Theology

Dordt College/Gereformeerde Hogeschool

Drs. P. Th. Bareman

Class meets at H101 in the GH look at the schedule

Course description

“This course will survey several important theologians and theological trends from the

20th century, including liberation theology and other significant schools of thought as

well.”

Course Objectives

1. The student will examine major themes, trends, and figures in theology from the

twentieth century against its historical background, and thereby current issues in the

broader field of theology.

2. The student will understand an extensive view of Christian faith by comparing

Reformed theology with non-Reformed and non-evangelical theologies.

3. The student will acquire critical understanding of modern religious culture by asking

questions of worldview and perspective reflected in a particular author and theology.

Textbooks

Compulsory

Stanley J. Grenz and Roger E. Olson, 20th Century Theology: God and the World in a

Transitional Age (Downers Grove, IVP, 1992).

Articles

1. A. Rasmusson, Church and Nation-State: Karl Barth and German public theology

in the Early 20th Century.

2. Jerry A. Irish, Moltmann’s Theology of contradiction. In: Theology Today 32

(1975/6) p.21-31.

3. Don Schweitzer, Jürgen Moltmann’s theology as a theology of the cross. In:

Studies in Religion/Sciences Religieuses 24? 1 (1995) p.95-107.

4. Jürgen Moltmann, Science and wisdom. In: Theology today 58 (2001) p. 155-164.

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5. William T. Cavanaugh, Dying for the eucharist or being killed by it? Romero’s

challenge to First-World Christians. In: Theology today 58 (2001) p. 177-164.

6. Jürgen Moltmann, Control is good – trust is better. “Freedom and security in a

‘free world.’” In: Theology Today 62 (2006) p.465-475.

7. Hans Boersma Eschatological justice and the cross. Violence and Penal

Substitution. In: Theology today 60 (2003) p. 186-199.

8. James Perkinson, Like a thief in the night. Black Theology and the White Church

in the Third Millenium. In: Theology Today 60 (2004) p. 508-524.

9. Ingolf U. Dalferth, “ Determine what God is!” Theology in the Age of “Cafeteria

Religion.” In: Theology Today 57 (2000) p. 5-23.

You can use further, but not compulsory:

Gustavo Gutiérrez, A Theology of Liberation (New York: Orbis Books, 1973).

Jürgen Moltmann, Theology of Hope (New York: Harper & Row, 1965).

Reinhold Niebuhr, Moral Man and Immoral Society: A Study in Ethics and Politics (New

York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1932).

Rosemary Ruether, Sexism and God-Talk: Toward a Feminist Theology (Boston: Beacon

Press, 1993).

Paul Tillich, Dynamics of Faith (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1957).

Methods of Instruction

Class lectures and discussion; reading and writing assignments; class presentations

Course Requirements

1. Attendance and participation in class (10%)

Professor reserves the right to adjust the final grade slightly up or down, depending on

students’ class attendance, preparation, and participation. Consult the Theology

Department’s Learning Covenant.

2. Reflection Journals (30%)

Student will submit 15 reflection journals (no more than 2 pages, single-spaced) out of

18 selected topics. The purpose of this journal is to summarize the central ideas and to

reflect them in our society and personal lives. Journals are due at the beginning of

the class and those turned in late will be given a reduced score by 3 points.

The journals will be graded on a 10-point scale as follows:

10 points Good summary, superb insight, clearly communicated.

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7 points Touches the main issues, shows understanding.

5 points Attempts the assignment; partially done or misses the point.

2 points Journal showing no evidence of reading

0 points Rushed journal handed in late

Have a look below for some ideas on how to write your journal.

3. Group Presentation (10%)

Each group of two students will select one theologian/theological trend by the third

class period. Each group will make an in-depth study of the theologian/theological

trend and deliver presentation on the given date. The purpose of this presentation is to

better understand the given theologian and theological trend, improve skills of

communication, and lead the class discussion. The presentation will be made at the

beginning of the class and followed by discussion.

Some tips for presentation: highlight the main concepts/doctrines/emphases and be

creative in styles of presentation.

Each presentation will prepare an outline as follows:

(1) A brief (1-page) biographical sketch of a major theologian. You may check with

electronic database or other books.

(2) An in-depth review (2-3 pages) of a major theological work. This review should

include student’s critical understanding and evaluation of the work.

4. Term Paper (20%)

Each student will write a 8-10 page term paper on a theologian/theological trend. The

purpose of this assignment is to help student to scholarly engage in the theological

subjects. Careful reading, critical examination, and clear writing are the keys for a

good paper.

You can use the website: www.findarticles.com or http://theologytoday.ptsem.edu

5. Two tests and Final (10% each)

See the course calendar. Details will be given in class.

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6. Grading

Netherlands SPICE Points Per

Hour

Description Dordt Admissions

(Dutch high school

diploma’s)

10 No equivalent

(A)

4.00

9,5 No equivalent

(A)

4.00

9 A 4.00

8,5 A 4.00

8 A 4.00 Exceptional A

7,7 A- 3.67

7,3 B+ 3.33

7 B 3.00 Good B

6.7 B- 2.67

6,3 C+ 2.33

6 C 2.00 Graduation

level

C

5,7 C- 1.67

5,3 D+ 1.33

5 D 1.00 Unsatisfactory D

4,7 D- 0.67

4 F 0.00 Failure F

3 F 0.00

2 F 0.00

1 F 0.00

Reflection journal

In this paper, you are to reflect on what you have learned during the lessons

Contemporary theology.

Every week has two lessons Contemporary theology. After each week, you have to hand

in, on an individual basis a reflection concerning these lessons and your

contribution/participation

In this reflection, you are obliged to write on several levels of reflection.

1. What was the content of the lessons? Write briefly what it was all about: which

subjects did we discuss, the point of views, the ideas and so on

2. What was your knowledge before these lessons about this subject? And moreover:

write about your opinion before you heard about this.

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3. Did these lessons (the content of course) change your opinions or confirm your

opinions?

4. Did these lessons mean something for your own beliefs and what? What is the key

word when dealing with your own opinions?

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Course Calendar

Twentieth Century Theology/Spring 2010

First period

During this period you have to read and study the following articles:

A. Rasmusson, Church and Nation-State: Karl Barth and German public theology in the

Early 20th Century.

Jerry A. Irish, Moltmann’s Theology of contradiction. In: Theology Today 32 (1975/6)

p.21-31.

17 Jan. 8.30 – 10.00 Introduction Cont. theo. G/O 9 -31

20 Jan. 8.30 – 10.00 Cont. theo. Reconstruction of transcendence G/O 31-62

24 Jan. 8.30 – 10.00 Cont. theo. Neo-orthodoxy G/O 63-77 J1

27 Jan 8.30 – 10.00 Cont. theo. Neo-orthodoxy

31 Jan. 8.30 – 10.00 Cont. theo. Brunner - Bultmann G/O 77-99

3 Feb. 8.30 – 10.00 Cont. theo. Brunner – Bultmann J2

7 Feb. 8.30 – 10.00 Cont. theo. Cont. theo. Niebuhr G/O 99-112

Questions + group presentation 1

10 Feb. 8.30 – 10.00 Cont. theo. test 1

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Second period

During this period you have to read and study 2 articles:

1. Don Schweitzer, Jürgen Moltmann’s theology as a theology of the cross. In: Studies in

Religion/Sciences Religieuses 24?1 (1995) p.95-107.

2. William T. Cavanaugh, Dying for the eucharist or being killed by it? Romero’s

challenge to First-World Christians. In: Theology today 58 (2001) p. 177-164.

14 Feb. 8.30 – 10.00 Cont. theo. Bonhoeffer G/O 146-156

16 Feb. 8.30 – 10.00 Cont. theo. Bonhoeffer G/O 146-156 J3

28 Feb. 8.30 – 10.00 Cont. theo. Theology of hope/Moltmann G/O 170-186

3 March 8.30 – 10.00 Cont. theo. Theology of hope/Moltmann

7 March 8.30 – 10.00 Cont. theo. Repeat + group presentation 2 J4

8 March 8.30 – 10.00 Test 2

10 March Excursion to Leiden

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Third period

During this period you have to read 3 articles

1. Hans Boersma Eschatological justice and the cross. Violence and Penal Substitution.

In: Theology today 60 (2003) p. 186-199.

2. James Perkinson, Like a thief in the night. Black Theology and the White Church in

the Third Millenium. In: Theology Today 60 (2004) p. 508-524.

3. Ingolf U. Dalferth, “Determine what God is!” Theology in the Age of “Cafeteria

Religion.” In: Theology Today 57 (2000) p. 5-23.

Working on your term paper

14 March 8.30 – 10.00 Pannenberg G/O 186-199

17 March 8.30 – 10.00 idem

21 March 8.30 - 10.00 group presentation 3 + preparation final paper J5

24 March 8.30 – 10.00 Liberation Theologies G/O 200 – 224

Watching movie: the boksman – Oscar Romero

28 March 8.30 – 10.00 idem + final paper

Movie Oscar Romero

31 March 8.30 – 10.00 Narrative theology G/O271 – 285 J6

4 April 8.30 - 10.00 Narrative Theology + final paper

7 April 8.30 - 10.00 Questions + articles

18April 8.30 - 10.00 Questions + articles

21 April 8.30 - 10.00 hand over final paper

28 April Final test