Overview
What is theology? How do we do it, and why? Exploring Christian thinking on Jesus Christ, God, the Trinity, salvation, creation, and the last things.
Who is God, and what is God up to? What is the Bible all about anyway? Many smart people have thought about these things. Come and check out their responses. In an age that values easy answers to hard questions, this paper will help students to pursue the truth. It will also enable students to gain new perspectives on the content of Christian faith and to develop their thinking, writing and reflective skills.
About this paper
| Paper title | Doing Theology |
|---|---|
| Subject | Christian Thought and History |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 2
(Distance learning)
Semester 2 (On campus) |
| Delivery mode | The Distance Learning offering of this paper involves in-person assessment |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,103.10 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Restriction
- CHTX 111
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music, Theology
- 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: christopher.holmes@otago.ac.nz
- More information link
View more information on the Theology Programme’s website
- Teaching staff
Course Co-ordinator and Lecturer: Revd Professor Christopher Holmes
- Paper Structure
This paper is divided into six modules:
- What is theology?
- Jesus Christ
- The Trinity
- Salvation
- Creation
- Last things
- Teaching Arrangements
Distance with in-person assessment components.
Campus: Two one-hour lectures per week
Distance: Six two-hour videoconferences on Zoom spaced throughout the semester.
- Textbooks
There is no compulsory textbook for this paper.
Recommended Reading:
Alister McGrath, Theology: The Basics, 4th edition (Wiley, 2017).
- Course outline
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
This paper has two broad learning outcomes. Students who successfully complete it will be:
- Able to articulate the main themes of Christian theology in a way that is responsible and coherent. In particular, this means:
- Understanding the principal teachings of Christian faith
- Appreciating some of the contributions of a few leading thinkers in the Christian theological tradition
- Recognising the principal areas of debate in the study of Christian theology and the interpretation of the Bible
- Empowered to read Christian theology for yourself and prepared for more advanced engagement with its subject matter. In particular, this means:
- Being introduced to some of the available modes of theological reflection and to some of its most able practitioners, past and present
- Acquiring a robust appreciation for solid theological writing and teaching
- Able to articulate the main themes of Christian theology in a way that is responsible and coherent. In particular, this means:
- Assessment details
This paper is assessed by means of online discussion (10%), a 1500 word essay (40%), and a two hour examination (50%).
Overview
What is theology? How do we do it, and why? Exploring Christian thinking on Jesus Christ, God, the Trinity, salvation, creation, and the last things.
Who is God, and what is God up to? What is the Bible all about anyway? Many intelligent people have thought about these things. Come and contemplate their responses. In an age that values easy answers to hard questions, this paper will help students to pursue the truth. It will also enable students to gain new perspectives on the essence of the Christian faith and to develop their thinking, writing and reflective skills.
About this paper
| Paper title | Doing Theology |
|---|---|
| Subject | Christian Thought and History |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 1
(Distance learning)
Semester 1 (On campus) |
| Delivery mode | The Distance Learning offering of this paper is taught and assessed remotely |
| Domestic Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Restriction
- CHTX 111
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music, Theology
- 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
- More information link
- Teaching staff
- Paper Structure
This paper is divided into six modules:
- What is theology?
- Jesus Christ
- The Trinity
- Salvation
- Creation
- Last things
- Teaching Arrangements
Campus: two 1-hour lectures per week
Distance: six 2-hour videoconferences on Zoom spaced throughout the semester.
- Textbooks
There is no compulsory textbook for this paper.
Recommended Reading: McGrath, A. (2017). Theology: The Basics (4th ed.). Wiley.
- Course outline
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
This paper has two broad learning outcomes. Students who successfully complete it will be:
- Able to articulate the main themes of Christian theology in a way that is responsible and coherent. In particular, this means:
- Understanding the principal teachings of Christian faith
- Appreciating some of the contributions of a few leading thinkers in the Christian theological tradition
- Recognising the principal areas of debate in the study of Christian theology and the interpretation of the Bible
- Empowered to read Christian theology for yourself and prepared for more advanced engagement with its subject matter. In particular, this means:
- Being introduced to some of the available modes of theological reflection and to some of its most able practitioners, past and present
- Acquiring a robust appreciation for solid theological writing and teaching
- Assessment details
This paper is assessed by means of online discussion (10%), a 1,500-word essay (40%) and a two-hour examination (50%).