Assessment

Continuous Assessment: 40% End of semester examination: 60%

Module Aims

This module familiarizes learners with the methodological reflection on the person and work of Jesus Christ known as Christology. The aim of the module is to explore with learners key theological doctrines such as the incarnation and redemption, examine how they developed in the history of the theological tradition, and inquire into their contemporary theological relevance.

Indicative Syllabus

• Approaches to reading the Gospels
• New Testament Christology
• Patristic Christology and the Ecumenical Councils
• Theologies of Redemption or atonement theories
• Medieval Soteriology
• Contemporary Issues in Christology/Soteriology (e.g., Christ’s consciousness and freedom)

Learning Outcomes

• — Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the key concepts, historical developments, and contemporary issues related to Christological doctrine.
• — Narrate the major developments of Christological doctrine and describe the main Christological controversies through the first four ecumenical Councils.
• — Identify and interpret biblical passages and theological texts that contribute to the development of Christological doctrines.
• — analyze and evaluate different atonement theories
• — detect key principles or premises in theological argumentation that determine a Christological position.
• — Articulate and defend personal theological positions on key Christological issues, incorporating critical analysis and theological reasoning.

Bibliography

• — Anselm, Why God Became Man (trans. Janet Fairweather) in Anselm of Canterbury: The Major Works, eds. Brian Davies and G. R. Evans, Oxford World’s Classics. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998.
• — Benedict XVI. Jesus of Nazareth: From Baptism in the Jordan to the Transfiguration. New York, NY: Doubleday, 2007.
• — Grillmeier, Aloys. Christ in the Christian Tradition. Vol. 1. 2nd. Ed. London: Mowbrays, 1975.
• — Norris, Richard A. (ed). The Christological Controversy. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1980.
• — O’Collins, Gerald. Christology. A Biblical, Historical, and Systematic Study of Jesus. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1995.
• — Portier, William L. Tradition and Incarnation: Foundations of Christian Theology. Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1994.
• — Weinandy, Thomas G. Jesus the Christ. Huntington, IN: Our Sunday Visitor, 2003.