Unit information: Christian Theology and Non-Christian Religions in 2008/09

Unit name	Christian Theology and Non-Christian Religions
Unit code	THRS30103
Credit points	20
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Department of Religion and Theology
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

This unit is concerned with Christian attitudes to other religions. It examines pertinent theological and philosophical issues and is not per se about non-Christian religions. The main focus of debate in this field regards questions about the nature and status of Christ, the doctrine of God, the nature of the Church, differing models of mission, the problems of inter-faith spirituality, and political involvement in a pluralist context. The questions raised are germane to a number of general questions related to inter-faith relations in contemporary Britain.

Aims:

1. To critically examine some theological, philosophical, and social issues raised for contemporary Christians living in a religiously pluralist society.

2. To become familiar with key theologians, their internal developments, and interactions, in relation to the field.

3. To see how central doctrinal issues effect and are effected by the particular horizon of other religions.

Intended Learning Outcomes

1. acquired knowledge of key primary and secondary texts related to the field;

2. the ability to critically assess the issues and debates within the field, both materially, and methodologically;

3. reflected upon their own presuppositions when examining religions, both descriptively and critically;

4. acquired skills through listening, through writing assessed essays, and small and large group discussion, so as to present, analyze, and evaluate materials at level 3 standards.

5. to:

• incorporate a consistently strong grasp of detail with respect to content

• argue effectively and at length (including an ability to cope with complexities and to describe and deploy these effectively)

• display to a high level, skills in selecting, applying, interpreting and organising information, including evidence of a high level of bibliographical control

• describe, evaluate and/or challenge current scholarly thinking

• discriminate between different kinds of information, processes, interpretations

• take a critical stance towards scholarly processes involved in arriving at historical and theological knowledge and/or relevant secondary literature

• engage with relevant theological, philosophical or social constructs for understanding relevant works or traditions

• demonstrate an understanding of concepts and an ability to conceptualise

• situate material within relevant contexts (invoking interdisciplinary contexts where appropriate)

• apply strategies laterally (perhaps leading to innovative results)

Teaching Information

One hour lecture, followed by one hour of seminar and discussion work. Students will have completed advance reading related to the seminar discussion work.

Assessment Information

Three hour exam with three questions.

Reading and References

• Paul Knitter, Introducing Theologies of Religions, New York, 2006

• Ed. John Hick and Brian Hebblethwaite, Christianity and Other Religions, Oxford, 2005

• Jacques Dupuis, Towards a Christian Theology of Religions, New York, 2003

• Gavin DCosta, The Trinity and the Meeting of Religions, Edinburgh, 2000

• Gavin DCosta, Disputed Questions in the Theology of Religions, Oxford, 2008