Southern Methodist University

Christian Theology RELI 3304-001 July 2018

Dr. James Kang Hoon Lee Assistant Professor of the History of Early Christianity Office: 211B Selecman Hall Office Hours: By Appointment Contact: [email protected], (214) 768-1400

Course Description

This course is an introduction to the academic discipline of Christian theology as “faith seeking understanding” (fides quaerens intellectum, following Anselm of Canterbury) through the study of primary sources, including Scripture – Old and New Testaments – and the writings of the Christian tradition. Emphasis will be placed on the grasp of fundamental theological concepts through an engagement with primary texts in their historical contexts. Students will also gain facility in reading the Bible through interpretive lenses (i.e. Jewish and Christian commentaries) while exploring the development of Christian doctrine according to major controversies and councils in the Church (e.g. Nicaea I, Constantinople I, Chalcedon, Trent).

The goals of the course are:

1. To introduce students to the discipline of theology as “faith seeking understanding”; 2. To provide students with a basic knowledge of the sources of Christian theology; 3. To gain facility with various hermeneutical approaches to Scripture (historical-critical, literary, figurative, etc.); 4. To acquaint students with major doctrinal developments and theological achievements in the history of Christianity, and to identify what is at stake in certain theological claims; 5. To explore the relationship between theology and history, with attention to historical contexts; 6. To assist students in their investigation of major issues, challenges, and questions.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Students will describe, explain and/or employ some of the principles and theoretical methods of religious studies/Christian theology. 2. Students will demonstrate the ability to critically reflect on or apply methods, theories, or principles of religious studies/Christian theology via a focus on a specific area of or set of issues (see goals of the course above). 2

Course Requirements

1. Attendance. Attendance and timeliness are required. Class will begin promptly. Absences and habitual tardiness will result in grade reduction at the instructor’s discretion. 2. Class Participation and Short Papers: 50%. Students will engage primary texts, and must come to class prepared to discuss the readings. To that end, students are required to write a brief response paper (approximately 1 page, or 300 words) for each class session. These papers are NOT reflection papers. Rather, they must contain a coherent thesis or argument that explains the meaning of the text. They may also raise questions about the readings. These papers will be used as part of our discussion, and they will be turned in at the end of each class. Each short paper will receive a grade of, ✓, ✓+, or ✓-. In order to receive full credit for this portion of the course, one must receive 20 ✓. For every missing ✓, there is a corresponding drop in the grade (e.g. 19 ✓ = B, 18 ✓= C, etc.). If one receives 4✓+, one will receive credit for an additional ✓. In addition, the instructor reserves the right to administer pop quizzes on any class day. 3. Final Exam: 50%. The final exam will consist of key terms and concepts, passage identification, and a comprehensive essay.

Classroom Technology Policy Laptop computers may be used for word processing purposes only; no web-surfing in class. Please put away cell phones and refrain from use (except for emergencies). The instructor reserves the right to confiscate laptops, cell phones, or any other devices used inappropriately in class.

Required Texts Augustine. Confessions. Maria Boulding, tr. 2nd ed. The Works of Saint Augustine: A Translation for the 21st Century; pt. 1, v.1. Hyde Park: New City Press, 2012. ISBN 9781565484450. Bonaventure. The Mind's Road to God. George Boas, tr. New York: Prentice Hall, c1953. ISBN 9780023112508. Ratzinger, Joseph (Pope Benedict XVI). ‘In the Beginning’: A Catholic Understanding of the Story of Creation and Fall. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995. ISBN 978- 0802841063. All other readings are available on Canvas [C]

Grade Scale 94-100= A 80-83= B- 60-69= D 90-93= A- 77-79= C+ 0-59= F 87-89= B+ 74-76= C 84-86= B 70-73= C-

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Students are expected to abide by the SMU Student Honor Code. Plagiarism of any kind is prohibited. For further details, see the University Catalogue.

Course Schedule

The course will meet July 5-August 3, from 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. daily.

Thursday, July 5: What is Christian Theology? Read: Anselm, Proslogion, Preface: “Faith Seeking Understanding” [C]; Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae, Q. 1, A. 1, “What is sacra doctrina?” [C]; Aidan Nichols, “The Habit of Theology,” from The Shape of Catholic Theology [C]

Recommended Reading (not required): Robert Sokolowski, The God of Faith & Reason, “Beginning with Anselm” [C]

Friday, July 6: Faith & Reason—The Sources of Theology Read: Selections from Fides et Ratio [C]; Selections from Second Vatican Council, Dogmatic Constitution on Revelation, Dei Verbum [C]

Recommended Reading: Joseph Ratzinger, “Belief in the World of Today,” from Introduction to Christianity [C]

Monday, July 9: God & Creation in the Bible Read: Joseph Ratzinger, ‘In the Beginning’, pp.1-39; Augustine, The Literal Meaning of Genesis [C]

Recommended Reading: Enuma Elish Catholic Study Bible Reader’s Guide (RG) 92-93 (“The Fruits of Source Criticism”) [C]; Leon Kass, “Evolution and the Bible: Genesis 1 Revisited,” Commentary 86 (Nov 1988):29-39 [C]

Tuesday, July 10: The Creation & Fall of Humanity Read: Joseph Ratzinger, ‘In the Beginning’, pp. 41-74

Recommended Reading: James L. Kugel, The Bible as it Was, “Adam and Eve,” pp. 67- 82 [C]; Joseph Ratzinger, “The Consequences of Faith in Creation,” from In the Beginning, pp. 79-100

Wednesday, July 11: Biblical Interpretation—Marcionism & Gnosticism Read: Marcion Background [C]; Marcion, Antitheses [C]; Gnosticism Background [C]; The Reality of the Rulers [C]

Thursday, July 12: Reinterpreting Scripture & Soteriology Read: Irenaeus of Lyons Background [C]; Irenaeus, Against Heresies [C]; Origen of Alexandria Background [C]; Origen, On First Principles, Homily 27 on Numbers [C]

Friday, July 13: The Early Church & Martyrdom 4

Read: Ignatius of Antioch Background [C]; Selections from letters of Ignatius of Antioch [C]; Martyrs of Lyons Background [C]; The Martyrs of Lyons [C]; The Martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicitas [C] Monday, July 16: Early Christian Worship & Liturgy Read: Justin Martyr, First & Second Apology [C]; The Didache [C]; Robert Louis Wilken, The Spirit of Early Christian Thought [C]

Recommended Reading: Justin Martyr Background [C]

Tuesday, July 17: Arianism, Christology, & Trinity Read: Arius Background [C]; Arius, Letter to Eusebius, Letter to Alexander [C]; Athanasius Background [C]; Athanasius, Against the Arians Book I [C]; Council of Nicea Background [C]; Creed of Nicea [C]

Wednesday, July 18: The Canon of Scripture Read: Luke Timothy Johnson, “The New Testament as the Church’s Book” [C]

Recommended Reading: Jaroslav Pelikan, Whose Bible is It ?, pp. 29-47, 100-117 [C]; Joseph Ratzinger,

Thursday, July 19: Incarnation & Christology Read: Gregory of Nazianzus Background [C]; Gregory of Nazianzus, Theological Orations [C]

Friday, July 20: Mariology & Christology Read: Nestorius and Cyril Background [C]; Nestorius and Cyril, Letters [C]; Council of Chalcedon Background; Council of Chalcedon[C]

Monday, July 23: Augustine of Hippo Read: Augustine, Confessions, Books 1-3 (read through book 9)

Tuesday, July 24: Augustine continued Read: Augustine, Confessions, Books 4-9; Exposition [2] of Psalm 30; On Nature and Grace; City of God [C]

Wednesday, July 25: Scholasticism Read: Anselm, Proslogion [C]; Thomas Aquinas, Treatise on the Virtues, Summa Theologiae II-I, QQ. 62-67 [C]

Thursday, July 26: Medieval Religious Orders Part II: Francis and Clare of Assisi Read: First Life of St. Francis by Thomas of Celano [C]; Canticle of Creatures [C]; The Earlier Rule [C]; Letters of Clare [C]

Friday, July 27: Medieval Mysticism 5

Read: Bonaventure, The Mind’s Road to God; 4th Lateran Council [C]; Catherine of Siena, The Dialogue [C]

Recommended Reading: Bernard McGinn, Mysticism [C] Monday, July 30: Protestant Reformations—Martin Luther Read: Martin Luther, “The Babylonian Captivity of the Church” [C]; “The Freedom of a Christian” [C]

Tuesday, July 31: John Calvin & Trent on Justification Read: John Calvin & The Council of Trent, A Reformation Debate [C]

Wednesday, August 1: Reforms in Spain Read: Teresa of Avila, The Life of Teresa of Jesus [C]; John of the Cross, Dark Night of the Soul, Sayings of Light and Love [C];

Thursday, August 2: Reforms in France Read: Thérèse of Lisieux, Story of a Soul [C]

Friday, August 3: Final Exam

Disability Accommodations

Students needing academic accommodations for a disability must first register with Disability Accommodations & Success Strategies (DASS). Students can call 214-768-1470 or visit http://www.smu.edu/Provost/ALEC/DASS to begin the process. Once registered, students should then schedule an appointment with the professor as early in the semester as possible, present a DASS Accommodation Letter, and make appropriate arrangements. Please note that accommodations are not retroactive and require advance notice to implement.