Catalogue 2008 Book - Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary

THEOLOGICAL-HISTORICAL DEPARTMENT
TH.307 CINEMA AND ETHICS
In this course students engage in the critical study of selected movies with the purpose of
unveiling the vision of the good life they project. Particular focus is given to the notion of
God, human nature and human agency, the elements of an authentic and meaningful life,
the nature of human relationships and community, and the intersections of religions and
culture as presented by these fi lms. Students evaluate these topics from a theological and
ethical point of view. Prerequisite: TH.200, TH.206, or TH.296. Six credits. Mr. García
TH.311 REVELATION: THEOLOGICAL AND PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES
This course traces the understanding of revelation in the thought of major thinkers in the
Western Christian tradition. Students examine the idea of revelation in classic fi gures such
as Augustine and Calvin, survey distinctive challenges which fl owed from scientifi c and
philosophical developments in the Enlightenment, and consider the theological responses
of Schleiermacher and Wesley. Twentieth-century developments, including the teachings of
major theologians such as Barth and Tillich, are considered. Students, in conversation with
the readings and lectures, formulate and discuss their own understandings of revelation. Six
credits. Mr. Greenway
TH.313 APPROACHES TO THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
Students in this course consider classical, scholastic, reformed, process, and liberationist
models for understanding God. Attention is given to the following topics: divine mystery
and the limits of language; the development and impact of trinitarian thinking; reason and
revelation; divine attributes; the relationship between divine power and human agency; and
the use of female analogies for God. Each student explores his or her own approach to the
doctrine of God in relation to Christian ministry. Readings include selections from Thomas
Aquinas, John Calvin, Karl Barth, John Cobb, James Cone, and Elizabeth A. Johnson. Six
credits. Ms. Rigby
TH.317 PIETY AND HERESY IN THE MEDIEVAL ERA
Certain medieval groups, such as the Waldensians, Spiritual Franciscans, and Hussites,
gradually evolved into heretical sects. While they began by embracing orthodox Christian
teaching, subsequently these groups developed unorthodox views. By means of critical analysis
of texts in translation, students refl ect on the process by which piety might exceed traditional
boundaries of Christian orthodoxy. Prerequisite: TH.100 or permission of the instructor. Six
credits. Ms. Babinsky
TH./Bi.319 ROMANS AND NIETZSCHE
In this seminar we consider Paul’s understanding of charity, law, grace, and God as articulated
in Romans in conversation with the critique of Frederick Nietzsche. Six credits.
Messrs. Donelson and Greenway
TH.321 THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
This course explores the church’s confession of belief “in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver
of life.” Students attend to the doctrine of the Holy Spirit as it relates to both the Trinity
and the Christian life and grapple with different interpretations and meanings of “life in the
Spirit.” Six credits. Mr. Jensen
TH.323 THEOLOGIES OF THE EARLY CHURCH
This seminar considers theological fi gures and writings from the second to the fi fth century,
giving special attention to the discussions and doctrinal development refl ected at Nicea,
Constantinople, and Chalcedon. Students engage primary texts written by fi gures including
Origen, Arius, Athanasius, the Cappadocian Fathers, Apollinaris, Augustine, and Nestorius.
The course includes a weekly lecture and a weekly discussion focused on representative texts
from the readings. Prerequisites: TH.104 and TH.212. Six credits. Ms. Rigby
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