THEO 111 Theological Foundations

Jonathan Tan, Ph.D.
ProfessorJTan@gmail.com

Grading Policy

Religion: News Resources

Library Research Resources

All Things Religion Blog

Return to:
Course Portal Menu

THEO 111 THEOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS

FALL SEMESTER 2010
THEO 111-35 Tue & Thu 10:00-11:15 a.m. (Hailstones 19)
THEO 111-31 Tue & Thu 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. (Hailstones 19)
http://www.jonathantan.org/111/
PDF

THEO 111 Theological Foundations Syllabus

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS:
CTT: Catherine Cory & Michael Hollerich, eds. The Christian Theological Tradition, 3rd Ed.
HWCM: Dale Irvin & Scott Sunquist, History of the World Christian Movement, Vol. I
IAR: Charles Lippy, Introducing American Religion
LHC: Philip Jenkins, The Lost History of Christianity

SHORTCUTS TO:

Aug 24
Aug 26
Aug 31

Sep 2
Sep 7
Sep 9
Sep 14
Sep 16
Sep 21
Sep 23
Sep 28
Sep 30

Oct 5
Oct 7
Oct 12
Oct 19
Oct 21
Oct 26
Oct 28

Nov 2
Nov 4
Nov 9
Nov 11
Nov 16
Nov 18
Nov 23
Nov 30

Dec 2
Dec 7
Dec 9

Aug 24: Welcome & Introduction to World Christianity
No assigned readings for today's class.

Aug 26: "In the Beginning..." The Hebrew Bible (Old Testament)

REQUIRED READINGS:
(1) CTT, pp. 19-41
(2) Genesis, Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3
(3) Holy Qur'an, Sura 7 (read 7:1-30 only)

IN-CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. What are the similarities and differences between Genesis 1 & 2 and Qur'an, sura 7:1-19? What are the implications of these similarities and differences?
2. What are the similarities and differences between Genesis 3 and Qur'an, sura 7:20-30? What are the implications of these similarities and differences?
3. Which creation story (Genesis 1, Genesis 2 or Qur'an sura 7:1-19) do you prefer? Why?
4. Which story of the fall of humanity (Genesis 3 or Qur'an sura 7:20-30) do you prefer? Why?

Aug 31: From Jesus to Christ, I: Introducing the First Century World of Jesus Christ

REQUIRED READING:
(1) CTT, pp. 74-103
(2) HWCM, pp. 11-21

We will be watching excerpts from Part 1 of the PBS Frontline documentary, From Jesus to Christ in class today.

Discussion Questions ("From Jesus to Christ, I")

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
From Jesus to Christ: The First Christians (PBS Frontline)

Sep 2: From Jesus to Christ, II: Who is Jesus Christ?

REQUIRED READINGS:
(1) CTT, pp. 103-117
(2) HWCM, pp. 22-25
(3) Misusing Jesus: How the church divorces Jesus from Judaism, by Amy-Jill Levine (Christian Century, 26 December 2006)

IN-CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. In her essay, Misusing Jesus, what is Professor Amy-Jill Levine trying to tell us about the traditional Christian theological viewpoints of who Jesus is?
2. Who do you say Jesus is? Please explain your answer.
3. Who do you think killed Jesus? Please explain your answer.

Sep 7: From Jesus to Christ, III: Jesus in the Gospels

REQUIRED READINGS:
(1) CTT, pp. 91-109
(2) HWCM, pp. 50-56
(3) Baptism of Jesus: Mark 1:9-11, Matthew 3:13-17, Luke 3:21-22, John 1:29-34

Class Outline

Gospels Worksheet

We will be watching excerpts from Part 3 of the PBS Frontline documentary, From Jesus to Christ in class today.

IN-CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. Compare and contrast the story of Jesus' Baptism in the four Gospels. What similarities and differences can you identify?
2. What do these similarities and differences tell you about how the authors of the gospels interpreted the story of Jesus' baptism?
CODEX SINAITICUS:
Codex Sinaiticus Official Website (The Codex Sinaiticus is the oldest extant New Testament manuscript. This website gives online access to the entire codex for scholarly study. For a newsreport of this project, see: Scholars plan to reunite ancient Bible Online, Washington Post 21 July 2008 [source: AP])

FULLTEXTS OF CANONICAL SCRIPTURES:
Old Testament (New Revised Standard Version)
New Testament (New Revised Standard Version)
Gospels Parallels (Excellent resource for studying gospels passages side-by-side)

FULLTEXTS OF EXTRACANONICAL SCRIPTURES:
The Gospels: Canonical & Extracanonical
Early Christian Writings
Old Testament & New Testament Noncanonical Scriptures
Gospel of Judas Iscariot
Gospel of Thomas

FOR FURTHER READING:
Development of the Canon of the New Testament
A Testament to Change: Early Scraps of the Bible (Washington Post, 21 October 2006).
Easter Story Highlights Role of Women in Jesus's Life and Death (Washington Post, 7 April 2007, p. B11).

Sep 9: Birth of the World Christian Movement, I: The Apostle Paul

REQUIRED READINGS: CTT, pp. 118-134, HWCM, pp. 25-32

We will be watching excerpts from Part 2 of the PBS Frontline documentary, From Jesus to Christ in class today.

IN-CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. How did Paul transform the emerging Christian movement?
2. What are the implications of his approach to growing the Christian movement?
3. How is Christianity different today as a result of Paul's actions?

Sep 14: Emergence of the World Christian Movement, II: Growth & Persecution

REQUIRED READINGS: CTT, pp. 135-160

We will be watching excerpts from Part 4 of the PBS Frontline documentary, From Jesus to Christ in class today.

IN-CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. Why were Christians persecuted in the Roman Empire?
2. How did the early Christians respond to persecution? What are the implications of their response to persecution?

Sep 16: Emergence of the World Christian Movement, III: Triumph

REQUIRED READINGS: HWCM, pp. 32-46

IN-CLASS DISCUSSION:
1. Why were Gentiles attracted to the Christian movement?
2. How did the inclusion of Gentiles transform the Christian movement?

Sep 21: Examination #1

Study Guide for Examination #1

Sep 23: Age of the Imperial Church

REQUIRED READINGS:
(1) CTT, pp. 161-165, 171-180
(2) HWCM, pp. 155-165

Sep 28: Heresies & Ecumenical Councils

REQUIRED READINGS:
(1) CTT, pp. 165-171
(2) HWCM, pp. 166-194

Sep 30: Lost History of Christianity, I: The End of Global Christianity

REQUIRED READINGS: LHC, pp. ix-xi, 1-44

RECOMMENDED READINGS: HWCM, pp. 257-259, 271-288

Oct 5: Lost History of Christianity, II: Churches of the East. Another World.

REQUIRED READINGS:
(1) LHC, pp. 45-70, 71-95
(2) HWCM, pp. 305-322

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Daqin Pagoda (The oldest Christian church in China)
Nestorian Stele (China)

Map of the Islamic World
(Click to download)

Oct 7: Islam, I: The Prophet Muhammad and the Emergence of Islam

REQUIRED READINGS:
(1) CTT, pp. 211-216
(2) HWCM, pp. 260-270

Islam Outline #01

We will be watching the first part ("The Messenger") of the PBS Documentary, Islam: Empire of Faith in class today.

Discussion Questions ("The Messenger")

Distribution of Shi'i Muslims
(Click to download)

Oct 12: Islam, II: The Qur'an and the Sunna. The Sunni-Shi'a Division. Law, Life & Spirituality. The Five Pillars.

REQUIRED READINGS:
(1) CTT, pp. 216-226
(2) Can You Tell A Sunni From A Shiite? by Jeff Stein (New York Times, 17 October 2006).
(3) Malcolm X's reflection on his pilgrimage to Mecca (from the Autobiography of Malcolm X).
(4) Muslim Player Thrives With Nourished Spirit (New York Times, 13 October 2007).
(5) Fears of Inquiry Dampen Giving by U.S. Muslims (New York Times, 30 October 2006).
(6) Charitable Tradition in Transition (Washington Post, 13 September 2007), p. B01.
(7) Islamic Traditions Influence in Senegal (VOA News, 9 March 2007)
(8) Fasting and solidarity during Lent in Pakistan (AsiaNews, 26 February 2005)
(9) Muslims Help Fasting Christians (National Catholic Reporter, 19 March 2004)

Islam Outline #02

ONLINE RESOURCES & PODCASTS: SUNNI-SHI'A DIVISION:
PODCAST: The Partisans of Ali: A History of Shia Faith and Politics [A 5-part series on NPR Morning Edition.
The Sunni-Shia Divide and the Future of Islam. By Vali Nasr, on "Speaking of Faith" (American Public Radio, 20 November 2008).

ADDITIONAL READINGS:
Quran, sura 81 (Last Judgment)
Deuteronomy, chapter 6
Gospel of John, chapter 1
Letter to the Hebrews, chapter 1

ASHURA IN NEW YORK CITY:

ASHURA IN NABATIETH (SOUTHERN LEBANON):

FOR FURTHER READING:
Contemporary Sunni-Shi'a Conflict
Shi'ism & Contemporary Iran

Oct 14: Fall Holiday - No Class

The Abbasid Caliphate in 750 C.E.
(Click to download)

Oct 19: Islam, III: The Awakening of the Islamic World. Empire Building. Islamic Sciences. The Crusades.

REQUIRED READINGS:
(1) CTT, pp. 226-232
(2) HWCM, pp. 395-405
(3) In Medieval Architecture, Signs of Advanced Math (New York Times, 27 February 2007).
(4) Of Islam and Inventions (New York Times, 12 August 2007).

We will be watching the second part ("The Awakening") of the PBS Documentary, Islam: Empire of Faith in class today.

Discussion Questions ("The Awakening")

FOR FURTHER READING, I:
AN EMERGING NEW ISLAMIC GOLDEN AGE OF SCIENCES & COMMERCE IN THE 21ST CENTURY?
Islamic Sciences: Contemporary Developments
Islamic Commerce/Finance: Contemporary Developments
Higher Education in the Islamic World: Contemporary Developments

FOR FURTHER READING, II: THE CRUSADES
Pope Urban II's Speech at the Council of Clermont, 1095 Compare Pope Urban II's Call to Crusade in 1095 with Osama bin Laden's Call to Jihad in 2001.
The Siege and Capture of Jerusalem: Collected Accounts

Oct 21: Lost History of Christianity, III: The Great Tribulation.

REQUIRED READINGS: LHC, pp. 97-138.

RECOMMENDED READINGS: HWCM, pp. 289-304, 383-386

Oct 26: Lost History of Christianity, IV: The Last Christians. Ghosts of a Faith.

REQUIRED READINGS: LHC, pp. 139-172, 173-206.

RECOMMENDED READINGS: HWCM, pp. 450-467

Oct 28: Lost History of Christianity, V: How Faiths Die. The Mystery of Survival. Endings and Beginnings.

REQUIRED READINGS: LHC, pp. 207-225, 226-246, 247-262.

RECOMMENDED READINGS: HWCM, pp 492-504

Nov 2: Examination #2

Study Guide for Examination #2

Nov 4: Global Expansion and the Colonial Churches.

REQUIRED READINGS: CTT, pp. 363-377

Nov 9: Introducing American Religion, I: Religious Diversity in the Age of Colonial Conquest. European Settlers Increase Religious Diversity.

REQUIRED READINGS:
(1) IAR, pp. 1-16, 17-29
(2) CTT, pp. 399-421

Nov 11: Introducing American Religion, II: The Expanding Religious Culture of English Colonial America. Religion in an Age of Revolution.

REQUIRED READINGS: IAR, pp. 30-44, 45-60

Nov 16: Introducing American Religion, III: Native Americans and African Americans Challenge Religious Life. Evangelical America.

REQUIRED READINGS: IAR, pp. 61-74, 75-90.

Nov 18: Introducing American Religion, IV: Religious Experimentation Brings More Diversity. Catholic and Jewish Growth Stretch Diversity.

REQUIRED READINGS: IAR, pp. 91-107, 108-122

FOR FURTHER READING:
The American Catholic History Classroom

Nov 23: Introducing American Religion, V: The Impact of Civil War and Regionalism. Immigrants, Industries, and Cities.

REQUIRED READINGS:
(1) IAR, pp. 123-136, 137-153
(2) The Oregon School Case: Compulsory Education Law

Nov 25: Thanksgiving Holiday - No Class

Nov 30: Introducing American Religion, VI: Other Dimensions of Urbanizing America. Modernity Brings More Change.

REQUIRED READINGS: IAR, pp. 154-171, 172-186

Dec 2: Introducing American Religion, VII: Reaction and Retreat. Quests for Unity Amid Diversity.

REQUIRED READINGS: IAR, pp. 187-200, 201-216

Dec 7: Introducing American Religion, VIII: The "New Pluralism" of the Later Twentieth Century. The Many Faces of Pluralism in Postmodern America.

REQUIRED READINGS:
(1) IAR, pp. 217-232, 233-247
(2) The End of Christian America, by Jon Meacham (Newsweek, 4 April 2009)
(3) The End of Christianity in America? By Soong-Chan Rah (Patheos, 6 August 2010

Dec 9: Examination #3

Study Guide for Examination #3

A good faith effort has been made to comply with US copyright law. This does not mean that none of the materials used in this course website is copyright protected, but that the "fair use" clause of US Copyright Law has been adhered to. In particular, any copyright material used here is (a) not used for commercial gain and used exclusively for educational purposes; and (b) used in limited amounts in comparison to the published source. The relevant provision (section 107) of the U.S. Copyright Act is reproduced below:

Section 107: Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair Use
Notwithstanding the provisions of section 106, the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phone records or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright. In determining whether the use made of a work in any particular case is a fair use, the factors to be considered shall include:
(1) The purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes;
(2) the nature of the copyrighted work;
(3) the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and
(4) the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work. (added pub. l 94-553, Title I, 101, Oct 19, 1976, 90 Stat 2546).

REQUIRED
TEXTBOOKS: