Posted: February 3rd, 2016

the trinity as a social program

the trinity as a social program

Basic Trends in the Christian Doctrine of God

Course’s Description: For many non-Christians, and sometimes Christians as well, one of the most puzzling and controversial teachings in Christian faith is the claim that God is triune in nature: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This course aims to explore the biblical, historical, and philosophical contexts that drove Christians to develop an understanding of God as Trinity. It first unpacks the biblical roots of the church’s encounter and experience of God as creating Father, redeeming Son, and sanctifying Spirit. It then traces the historical development of this churchly spiritual experience into an intellectual trinitarian theology by investigating some major Christian discourses and trends considered to be milestones on the long historical track of the doctrine of the Trinity in Christianity.

Course’s Objectives:
At the end of the course the students would:
1- acquire a systematic and historical analysis and understanding of the doctrine of the Trinity
2- would have a chance to link the doctrine of the Trinity to some contemporary issues that are pertinent to today’s world.
3- will learn how to discuss carefully and argue critically some primary theological texts on the Trinity and to reflect their implications for today

Term Paper
Students are expected to write 12-15 pages-long (5000-7000 words-long) papers (foot/endnotes, bibliography, outlines, are excluded). They must submit them to the instructor at the end of the teaching calendar of the semester. The students are required to pick up one of the subjects related to the trinity and write a paper on it in relation to Christian life and ministry

The Trinity as a Social Program