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    Overview

    A close reading of selected texts from Dietrich Bonhoeffer's corpus concerning his account of 'what Christianity really is, or indeed who Christ really is, for us today'.

    This paper will involve a close reading and analysis of sections from Bonhoeffer's most important writings, including Christ in the Center, Discipleship, Ethics and Letters and Papers from Prison. Study will be undertaken with a view to developing a nuanced understanding of his Christology and of the relationship between Christology and Christian ethics.

    About this paper

    Paper title The Theology of Bonhoeffer
    Subject Christian Thought and History
    EFTS 0.1667
    Points 20 points
    Teaching period Semester 2 (Distance learning)
    Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $1,240.75
    International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
    Limited to
    BTheol(Hons), BA(Hons), PGDipTheol, PGDipArts, PGCertChap, PGDipChap and MChap.
    Notes
    May not be credited together with CHTH430 or CHTX430 passed in 2010, 2012 or 2014.
    Eligibility
    Any student can study Theology, whether they are of the Christian faith, another faith or of no religious faith at all. Theology is an examination of the scriptures, history, content and relevance of the Christian faith, but it presupposes or requires no Christian commitment from students. All it requires is an inquiring mind and an interest in those skills that can be gained through the study of any subject in the Humanities.
    Contact

    Revd Professor Christopher Holmes - email: christopher.holmes@otago.ac.nz

    Teaching staff

    Revd Professor Christopher Holmes

    Paper Structure
    • Module 1: Christology
    • Module 2: Ethics
    • Module 3: Christian Community and Ministry
    • Module 4: Sermon on the Mount and Discipleship
    • Module 5: Preaching (Homiletics)
    • Module 6: Theological Education
    • Module 7: Prison Letters
    Assessment: 3 essays
    Teaching Arrangements

    Seven 2-hour videoconferences throughout the semester.

    Textbooks

    No textbook is required.

    Course outline

    View the course outline

    Graduate Attributes Emphasised
    Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding.
    View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
    Learning Outcomes

    On completion of this paper, students should be able to:

    • Describe the life, key texts, and central themes of the work of Dietrich Bonhoeffer
    • Articulate the theological distinctive present in the work of Bonhoeffer against the backdrop of the challenges of his time and place
    • Learn to better read theological texts and to express theological concepts both orally and in writing
    • Reflect upon the importance of Christian doctrine for the practical and ethical shape of life
    • Bring a systematic understanding of Christian teaching to bear on contentious ethical issues

    Timetable

    Semester 2

    Location
    Dunedin
    Teaching method
    This paper is taught through Distance Learning
    Learning management system
    Blackboard
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