Introduction to Christianity
Syllabus for Religious Studies Course
Björn Krondorfer, Professor of Religious Studies
(sample)
Students get introduced to the Christian religion through historical and theological approaches.
History is understood as the critical reading of the variety of Christian practices and
expressions; theology is understood as an intellectual and creative discipline that is intrinsic to
Christian thought and traditions. Through studying select themes, students learn to analyze,
comprehend and articulate central tenets of Christianity in settings that reach from the early
church to modernity.
BOOKS (to be purchased)
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Duane Olson, Issues in Contemporary Christian Thought
rd
Denise L. and John Carmody, Christianity: An Introduction (3 edition)
NRSVP (Bible)
Handouts and pdf.files
OUTLINE
1/17
1/19
1/24
1/26
1/31
2/2
2/7
2/9
Introduction: Scripture, Faith & Theology
R: Catherine Cory, The Christian Theological Tradition
Enlightenment, Historical Criticism & Theological Inquiry
R: Olson ch 1
Essential Concepts
R: Carmody, 1-6, 13-16
R: Gen 9.1-17; Gen 17.1-12; Ex 19.1-6; 2. Sam 7.4-17; Mt 26.26-29
Incarnation
The Gospels & Jesus, the Christ
R: Olson ch 4, 71-91
R: Mt 1.1-3.3; 5; 28;
Mk 1.1-14; 16;
Lk 1.1-24; 6.17-38
Paul & Gnostics
R: Carmody, 17-18,
R: Jn 1.1-19; 19.17-20.18;
Acts (1.1-2:13);
Paul (Rom 1.8-32; 5)
Gospel of Thomas
Orthodox Creeds
R: Olson ch 4, 91-95
R: Carmody, 23-25
R: Nicene Creed
Medieval & Modern Theologies (Historical Theological Approach)
R: Olson ch. 4, 95–106
R: Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica
Contemporary Theologies
R: Albert Schweitzer, The Quest of the Historical Jesus
R: Jürgen Moltmann, The Trinity and the Kingdom
R: Gustavo Gutierrez, Essential Writings (ed. James Nickoloff)
2/14
2/16
2/21
2/23
Image & Icons
The Iconoclast Controversy & East-West Schism
R: Carmody, 44-49
R: Margaret Miles, The Word Made Flesh
QUIZ 1
Contemporary Art: Between Kitsch & Blasphemy
R: Brent Plate, Blasphemy: Art that Offends
R: David Morgan, “The Masculinity of Jesus in Popular Religious Art”
Creation & Stewardship
Genesis, Biblical Literalism & Theological Interpretation
R: Olson ch 2, 22-30, 35-40
R: Carmody, 123-128
R: Genesis 1-3
Nature & Ecology (Mystical Theological Approach)
R: Olson ch 9, 225-234, 239-244
R; Carmody, 183-186
R: Jean Evans, “Veriditas and Veritas: Ecological Prophet Hildegard of Bingen”
R: Francis of Assisi, “Canticle of the Sun”
Sin, Grace & Salvation
On Sin: Augustine & Late Antiquity
R: Olson ch 5, 107-120
R: Carmody, 128-130
R: Augustine, The City of God
R: Genesis 4
3/1
On Freedom: Luther & the Reformation
R: Carmody, 62-67, 132-139
R: Martin Luther, Freedom of a Christian
3/6
On Spiritual Exercises: Ignatius of Loyola & the Counter-Reformation
R: Olson ch 5, 120-131
R: Carmody, 72-75
R: Ignatius of Loyola: Spiritual Exercises
3/8
On Liberation: Gutierrez & Modernity
R: Carmody, 150-160
R: Gustavo Gutierrez, Essential Writings
Quiz 2
SPRING BREAK
Gender
3/20
Feminist Theology (Biblical Theological Approach)
R: Olson ch 7, 165-189
R: Julian of Norwich, Showings
R: Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza, In Memory of Her
3/22
Sin & Salvation through Gendered Eyes
R: Olson ch 7, 192-197
R: Carmody, 160-163, 220-223
R: Mary Daly, “The Final Cause”
3/27
ADVISING
3/29
Christian Masculinities
R: Krondorfer, “Introduction,” in Men’s Bodies, Men’s Gods
2/28
4/3
4/5
4/10
4/12
4/17
4/19
4/24
4/26
5/3
Sexuality
Sexual Spirituality (Moral Theological Approach)
R: Carmody, 165-168
R: James Nelson, “New Ways in Our Sexual Spirituality”
Homosexuality: A Case Study
R: Olson ch 8
Christianity & Other Religions
Salvation: Exclusive vs. Inclusive
R: Olson ch 6, 135-151, 153-158, 160-164
R: Carmody, 91-95
Interreligious Dialogue
R: Carmody, 180-183, 225-228
R: Clifford Hospital, “Towards Maturity in Inter-Faith Dialogue”
God
God Language
R: Olson ch 3, 45-53, 56-59, 64-70
Simplicity and Ultimate Concern
R: Carmody, 118-120, 173-176
R: Paul Tillich, Dynamics of Faith and The Courage to Be
Contemplative and Apophatic Theology
R: Thomas Merton, Seeds of Contemplation
R: Chris Boesel and Catherine Keller, Apophatic Bodies
Quiz 3
Theo-logos: (Non) Conclusive Conversations
Final Meeting: Thursday, 2-4:15