THE500 Doing Biblical Theology
Doing theology, as the exercise of asking and answering questions by consulting and combining various Scriptural teachings, takes a variety of forms. Understanding those approaches allows us to test theological conclusions. A biblical theology uses an approach that seeks to understand the direct teachings of Scripture in its context and holds loosely the answers to questions that are derived from indirect Scriptural inferences. This course is designed to help students build a solid theological framework built on an understanding of the direct teachings of Scripture while gaining skills in seeking for answers to real and immediate questions by applying principles of investigation based on sound practices of biblical theology.
Credits: 3
Student learning outcomes
- Respond to questions and challenges that arise out of constantly-changing cultures by applying a broad understanding of the Bible, synthesis of its various teachings, and principles of application.
- Discuss the use of various theological approaches with their various advantages and disadvantages
- Evaluate local church practices and contemporary models of church life in light of Scripture.
- Exercise a contextual approach to determining what a passage says about a given question.
- Employ solid investigative practices in seeking answers; refining questions, thorough research of the entire scope of Scripture, finding patterns, and deriving principles.
- Test existing assumptions and conclusions for consistency with Scripture.
- Articulate a theology of fun (or some other concept that we tend to not think about from a biblical perspective).