Details for Understanding the Faith: A Survey of Christian Doctrine

This paper looks at how our theology is formed and applies a formative understanding of Christian thoughts on the doctrines of God, creation and redemption.

Awards offering Understanding the Faith: A Survey of Christian Doctrine

This unit is offered as a part of the following awards:

• Diploma in Chaplaincy (Level 5)
• Diploma in Christian Leadership (Level 5)
• Diploma in Theological Studies (Level 5)

Unit Content

Curriculum Objective

This paper looks at how our theology is formed and applies a formative understanding of Christian thoughts on the doctrines of God, creation and redemption.

Outcomes

Students should be able to:

1. Identify the sources used to inform theological thinking and apply consistent method in analysing and evaluating information
2. Describe and examine alternate perspectives, and identify complementary and contradictory conclusions and arguments
3. Summarise and apply a formative understanding of traditional Christian thought on doctrines of God, creation and redemption
4. Show Christian doctrine and theological tradition is important for individual spirituality and to church life and mission 

Subject Content

• Theological method and sources
• God and Creation
• Humanity and Sin
• Christ and Redemption
• Holy Spirit, Church and Mission
• Eschatology
• Worldview
• Engagement with New Zealand context, including Māori spirituality and worldview 

Prescribed Text

Grenz, Stanley. Created for Community. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1998.

Representative References

Baukham, R. Jesus: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011. (E-book available)

Dempster, Murray W. “Christian Social Concern in Pentecostal Perspective: Reformulating Pentecostal Eschatology.” Journal of Pentecostal Theology 2 (1993): 51-64.

Dockery, D. & G. Thornbury (eds.). Shaping a Christian Worldview. Nashville: Baker, 2002.

Edwards, D. Breath of Life: A Theology of the Creator Spirit. Maryknoll: Orbis, 2004.

Erickson, Millard J. Christian Theology. Grand Rapids:Baker Books, 1985.

Geisler, N.L. Systematic Theology, Volume 1: Introduction/Bible. Ada, MI: Bethany House, 2002.

Goheen, M. W. & Craig G. Bartholomew. Living at the Crossroads: An Introduction to Christian Worldview. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 2008.

Grenz, S. Created for Community. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1998.

Grenz, S & R. E. Olson. Who Needs Theology? An Invitation to the Study of God. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 1996.

Hoekema, Anthony A. Created in God’s Image. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1986.

Horton, M. The Christian Faith: A Systematic Theology for Pilgrims on the Way. MI: Zondervan, 2011.

Horton, S (ed.), Systematic Theology: A Pentecostal Perspective. Springfield: GPH, 1993.

Horton S & Menzies, W. Bible Doctrines: A Pentecostal Perspective. Springfield: GPH, 2012

Kärkkäinen, V. Holy Spirit and Salvation: The Sources of Christian Theology. Louisville, Kentucky:   Westminster John Knox, 2010.

Kärkkäinen, V. Pneumatology. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2002.

Macchia, F. Justified in the Spirit: Creation, Redemption and the Triune God. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2010.

MacLeod, Donald. “The Doctrine of the Trinity.” The Scottish Journal of Evangelical Theology 3:1 (1985):11-21.

McGrath, Alister E. Christian Theology: An Introduction. Oxford, UK: Blackwell, 2010.

Mayhue, R.J.H. & MacArthur, J. eds. Think Biblically! Recovering a Christian Worldview. Wheaton: Crossway, 2003.

Migliore, D. Faith Seeking Understanding. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2004.

Moreland, J.P. & Craig, W.L. Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2003.

Milne, B. Know the Truth – 3rd edition. Downers Grove: IVP, 2009.

Omerod, N. Creation, Grace and Redemption. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2007.

Ormerod, N. Introducing Contemporary Theologies. Maryknoll: E.J. Dwyer, 1990, 1997.

Peters, T. “Six Ways of Salvation: How Does Jesus Save?” Dialog 45/3 (2006): 223-235.

Ross, K. “Christian Mission and the End of Poverty: Time for Eschatology.” Mission Studies 24 (2007): 79-97.

Tan-Chow, M. L. Pentecostal Theology for the Twenty-First Century. Surrey: Ashgate, 2007.

Van Gelder, C. The Essence of the Church. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2000.

Yong, A. “The Spirit and Creation: Possibilities and Challenges for a Dialogue between Pentecostal Theology and the Sciences.” Journal of the European Pentecostal Theological Association 25 (2005): 82-110.

Yong, A. Who is the Holy Spirit? A Walk with the Apostles. Mass: Paraclete, 2011.

 Journals:

Journal for the Study of the New Testament

Currents in Biblical Research

Interpretation