6.202 [STM]  Comparative Soteriologies:

How Does Jesus Save? 

May 17^th-23^rd, 2009

Office Hours: by appointment

Dr. Kristin Johnston Largen

Rationale

One of the most important topics in Christian theology is soteriology, the doctrine that seeks to explain how it is, exactly, that we are saved in Jesus Christ.  This question is at the heart of Christian faith, as it encompasses one’s understanding of humanity, the person of Jesus, God’s relationship with the world, and the role of faith in human life.  At the same time, in many ways, the answer to the question of salvation has only become more complex in recent decades, particularly in light of our ever-increasing awareness of religious pluralism. The challenge is clear:  Christians today require a faithful, meaningful answer to the question of how Jesus saves, but in doing so, our postmodern context requires both a reexamination of the tradition and also a fresh articulation of it.   In order to do this essential theological work faithfully, it is necessary to have some knowledge of non-Christian religions, and also to understand the means by which we might engage fruitfully in comparative dialogue.  Therefore, in this course, students will re-examine the Christian understanding of what it means to be saved in light of a comparative study of how salvation is described and envisioned in other religious traditions.  We will look at both the present-day and the end-of-life ramifications of salvation; and explore how a Christian articulation of salvation is both challenged and transformed through engaging non-Christian religious traditions.  In this way, this course addresses the following stated objective of the STM curriculum:  “Achieve mastery of primary questions, ideas, methodologies, and sources related to the chosen area of theological focus.”

Course Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the students should be able to:

1)     Demonstrate a basic knowledge of Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, and Islam, with an emphasis on the main beliefs and practices of each

2)      Constructively compare each of the above religions to one’s understanding of Christianity, and illustrate the ramifications such a comparison might have on one’s understanding of Christian soteriology

3)     Demonstrate an understanding of the different images of salvation as they have been articulated in Scripture & in the Christian tradition

4)     Relate different doctrines of soteriology to the context of ministry in the 21^st Century

5)     Clearly express sophisticated theological reasoning in both written and oral communication  

Strategies for achieving course objectives

Students will be expected to meet the following course requirements:

1. Required Reading: 

The students are expected to read all assigned readings carefully and thoroughly.   The assigned reading consists of the following:

                        World Religions Today, edited by John Esposito, et. al

                         Fortress Introduction to Salvation & the Cross, by David Brondos

                         What Christians can learn from Buddhism:  Rethinking Salvation, by                                                                      Kristin Johnston Largen

                           The Depth of the Riches, by S. Mark Heim

2. Class Attendance & Preparation: 

Students are expected to attend class regularly, listen to lectures attentively and take notes, and actively engage in both large and small group discussion.  Repeated absences will be reflected in the student’s final grade.

In this class, and in this seminary, we respect the rules of inclusivity, as stated in the academic catalog, pages 13-14.  Please note that written work that does not conform to these standards will be returned for a re-write; and in the classroom, we will practice referring to both human beings and God in ways that are respectful of personhood and inclusive in terms of gender, race and class.

*A word about laptop computers:  The use of a laptop in the classroom is a privilege, not a right, and this privilege can be revoked at any time during the semester by the instructor, if any student is found to be using his/her computer for personal business.  Such action is a distraction to the class, and disrespectful both to the instructor and one’s classmates.

3. Class Assignments:

Timely completion of all assignments is expected of all students.  Late work  

may or may not be accepted, at the instructor’s discretion.   A reduction in the

grade should be expected for late work.

a)   Two hours pre-class online work:

Read the 4 chapters in WRT on Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism & Islam & post one page of notes, including questions you might have, and issues you hope to discuss further, on two of the chapters [not on all four, unless you want to!].

b)   Talking-Point Papers:

                        Each day the students will need to bring to class a one-page response
                                to a question that centers around Christian theme of the day.  These
                                 will be used to begin our discussion each afternoon.  [The questions
                                 for each day can be found on the Course Outline section of the
                                 syllabus.]

c)   Final Paper:

The final paper is a 20-25 page research paper on some aspect of Christian salvation as interpreted in light of a particular practice or belief in Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism or Islam.  The paper should first give an overview of the Christian practice or belief around salvation that will be under discussion; then give a detailed explanation of the comparable belief/practice in the other tradition, giving particular attention to how it functions in its own context.  Finally, the paper should show how the Christian belief/practice is both challenged & complemented by the belief/practice in the other tradition, and suggest some ways in which a transformation of understanding or new way of thinking about the Christian tradition might result.  The final paper is due on August 1^st, 2009, via email [klargen@ltsg.edu].  Late work may or may not be accepted at the instructor’s discretion.

Assessment

1.      Blackboard Posts:  20%

2.      Class Participation:  10%

3.      “Talking-Point” Papers: 20%

4.      Final Paper: 50%

Course Outline: 

·        Sunday Night, May 17^th:

ü 6:00-8:00 pm—Introductions & introduction to the course, including a discussion of Comparative Theology

v Dr. Largen’s house, 308 Springs Ave. [on the corner of Springs & Hay]

·        Monday, May 18^th:  [we will meet in Valentine #308 for the rest of the week]

ü 8:30-12:00—What is salvation in the Christian tradition?   Key components

ü 1:30-5:00—Various Theories of Atonement

v  Paper Topic:  What is your foundational Scripture passage for understanding what it means to be saved?

·        Tuesday, May 19^th:

ü  8:30-12:00—Hinduism:  The central concept of Darshan

ü 1:30-5:00—Christian practices/beliefs concerning God

v Paper Topic:  In the Christian tradition, what does it mean to see God?

·        Wednesday, May 20^th:

ü  8:30-12:00—Judaism:  The central concept of Chosen People

ü 1:30-5:00—Christian practices/beliefs concerning Church

v Paper Topic:  In the Christian tradition, what is the church, and what are its defining marks?

·        Thursday, May 21^st:

ü  8:30-12:00—Buddhism:  The central concept of Sunyata/Emptiness

ü 1:30-5:00—Christian practices/beliefs concerning Human Relationships

v Paper Topic:  What constitutes a uniquely Christian take on human relationships?

·        Friday, May 22^nd:

ü  8:30-12:00—Islam:  The central concept of Obedience [esp. 5 pillars]

ü 1:30-5:00—Christian practices/beliefs concerning Spiritual Disciplines

v Paper Topic:  What are the unique hallmarks of a Christian life?

·        Saturday, May 23^rd: 

ü 9:00-12:00—General conclusions; thoughts on papers; practical ministry reflections

v Paper Topic:  What is the relevance of Comparative Theology for public ministry?