Catalogue 2008 Book - Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary

THEOLOGICAL-HISTORICAL DEPARTMENT
TH.241 ISLAM AND CHRISTIAN-MUSLIM ENCOUNTER
This course explores the world of Islam, its history, diversity, and various encounters with
Christianity. The class focuses on the shape of Islamic theology and practice, with attention
to implications and challenges for Christian theology and practice. Finally, we experiment
with actual Christian-Muslim dialogue, as it might be organized in a church community. Six
credits. Mr. Bodman
TH.243 JESUS AND HIS INTERPRETERS
It has been claimed that there is no uninterpreted Jesus. In this course we explore a wide
variety of ways that Jesus has been understood—through Christian history, in secular
environments, and from the perspectives of other religious traditions. First, we survey a
spectrum of religious and cultural receptions of Jesus primarily through the media of art and
literature, with special attention to those depictions which have been novel or controversial.
Second, we look specifi cally at the genre of Jesus movies as a uniquely modern and public
mode of interpretation. Finally, we look through the unique lenses of Muslim, Jewish, Hindu,
Buddhist, African, and other religious encounters with Jesus. Six credits. Mr. Bodman
TH.245 THE THEOLOGICAL LEGACY OF KARL BARTH
This seminar considers the theological achievement of Karl Barth by exploring selected themes
in his own writings and in the writings of theologians infl uenced by him such as Wolfhart
Pannenberg, Jürgen Moltmann, and Eberhard Jüngel. Six credits. Ms. Rigby
TH.247 MODERN ROMAN CATHOLIC THOUGHT
The Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) signals a spirit of “aggoiornamento,” or
modernization and renewal, within the Roman Catholic Church. This course explores the
impact of Vatican II by examining theological voices that gave rise to the council and multiple
movements that emerged in its wake. Students pay special attention to issues of ecumenism
and the affi rmation of the Church catholic: How does the spirit of Vatican II challenge
Protestants and Catholics to engage each other in faithfulness to the One whom they both
profess as Lord? Readings include conciliar documents, prominent exponents of Vatican II,
and critics of the council. Prerequisite: TH.104. Six credits. Mr. Jensen
TH.249 THE THEOLOGIES OF AUGUSTINE AND LUTHER
Though separated by eleven centuries, Augustine and Luther share many similarities in their
approach to the theological task. This course focuses on main themes in the theologies of
these thinkers, comparing and contrasting their work, and participants examine the ways in
which each theologian has contributed to the shape of Christian theology. Topics for study
include the following: God and creation; humanity, the Fall, and free will; confession and
repentance; reconciliation through Christ; and the relationship between gospel and law.
Students concentrate on readings from primary texts, including The Confessions, The City of
God, Lectures on Galatians, and The Larger Catechism. Six credits. Ms. Rigby
TH.251 THE OUTSIDERS–MINORITY RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS IN AMERICAN
HISTORY
This course surveys the history of religious movements, both Christian and non-Christian,
that have existed outside the mainstream such as the Mormons, the Black Muslims, and
Christian Scientists. We study the nature of these groups, their relationship with mainstream
American religion, and the changing characterization of “mainstream” itself. Each student
studies a particular religious group in the region through interviews and observation. Six
credits. Mr. Bodman
TH.253 FEMINIST THEOLOGIES
In this course participants explore a broad range of fi gures and themes in feminist theology,
considering the history of its development, the critiques it has made of traditional Christian
doctrine, the constructive alternatives it proposes, and the impact it has on the life of the
church today. A signifi cant portion of the course is devoted to the womanist and Mujerista
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