Overview
A critical study of the nature of Christian theology as public discourse: aims and methods, challenges and possibilities.
What does it mean to talk of doing theology 'in public'? How can theology contribute to current issues?
About this paper
| Paper title | Public Theology: Faith in the Public Square |
|---|---|
| Subject | Christian Thought and History |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Not offered in 2026 (Distance learning) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,103.10 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- 36 100-level points
- Restriction
- CHTH 333, CHTH 413, CHTX 333, CHTX 413
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music, Theology
- Notes
- May not be credited together with CHTX 313 or CHTX 411 passed in 2009.
- Eligibility
- Students are welcome to study papers in Theology regardless of whether they have a particular faith commitment or not. Papers in Theology examine the scriptures, history, content, and relevance of the Christian faith, but presuppose no Christian commitment from students. All that is required is an inquiring mind and an interest in those skills that can be gained through the study of any subject in the Humanities.
- Contact
Professor David Tombs - david.tombs@otago.ac.nz
- More information link
View more information on the Theology Programme’s website
- Teaching staff
- Lecturer: Professor David Tombs
- Paper Structure
Topics:
- What is Public Theology?
- Public Theology and Scripture
- Public Theology and the Church
- Principles of Theological Engagement in the Public Square
- Making Theology Engage: Globalisation and the Global Economic Crisis
- Going Global, Going 'Glocal'
- Theology and #MeToo
- Teaching Arrangements
Campus: One 2-hour lecture each week.
Distance: One 1-hour introductory lecture, and four 2-hour videoconferences throughout the semester.- Textbooks
Textbooks are not required for this paper. Readings will be provided electronically.
- Course outline
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Ethics, Research, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this paper will be able to
- Describe what scholars mean by 'public theology' and show how it draws upon the central tenets of the Christian faith
- Construct an argument to show that theology has an inherently 'public' dimension
- Develop skills in showing the relevance of Scripture and Christian tradition to matters of contemporary public concern
- Demonstrate an understanding of the relation between the church and public theology
- Assessment details
- Two essays (2,000 words) 30% each (60% total)
- Essay (2,500 words) 40%
Overview
A critical study of the nature of Christian theology as public discourse: aims and methods, challenges and possibilities.
What does it mean to talk of doing theology "in public"? How can theology contribute to current issues?
About this paper
| Paper title | Public Theology: Faith in the Public Square |
|---|---|
| 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 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. |
- Prerequisite
- 36 100-level points
- Restriction
- CHTH 333, CHTH 413, CHTX 333, CHTX 413
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music, Theology
- Notes
- May not be credited together with CHTX 313 or CHTX 411 passed in 2009.
- Eligibility
Students are welcome to study papers in Theology regardless of whether they have a particular faith commitment or not. Papers in Theology examine the scriptures, history, content and relevance of the Christian faith, but presuppose no Christian commitment from students. All that is required is an enquiring mind and an interest in those skills that can be gained through the study of any subject in the Humanities.
- Contact
- More information link
View more information on the Theology Programme's website.
- Teaching staff
- Paper Structure
Topics:
- What is Public Theology?
- Public Theology and Scripture
- Public Theology and the Church
- Principles of Theological Engagement in the Public Square
- Public Theology in an Age of AI
- Theology and #MeToo
- The Royal Commission on Abuse in Care
- Teaching Arrangements
Campus: One 2-hour lecture each week.
Distance: One 1-hour introductory videoconference, and an optional teaching day in Wellington (or extra evening videoconference), plus four 2-hour evening videoconferences throughout the semester.- Textbooks
The book by Sebastian Kim and Katie Day (eds.), A Companion to Public Theology (2017) is good preparation, but students are not expected to purchase it.
You can read the book through the Library once you are enrolled.
- Course outline
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Ethics, Research, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this paper will be able to
- Describe what scholars mean by "'public theology" and show how it draws upon the central tenets of the Christian faith.
- Construct an argument to show that theology has an inherently "public" dimension.
- Develop skills in showing the relevance of Scripture and Christian tradition to matters of contemporary public concern.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the relation between the church and public theology.
- Assessment details
- Two essays (2,000 words) 30% each (60% total)
- Essay (2,500 words) 40%