COURSE CONTENT AND METHOD OF INSTRUCTION

This course explores select theological themes in relation to specific historical movements and impulses in the 20^th century. It also analyzes the manner by which various Christian theologians responded to such developments. Particular areas to be highlighted are the Holocaust, the emergence of Neo-Orthodoxy, the new post Vatican II contextual theologies and the concerns of postmodernism. The methodology to be used includes lecture, class discussion, critical analysis of primary sources, oral presentations and the use of media.

REQUIRED READINGS:

Baum, Gregory, ed. The Twentieth Century: A Theological Overview. Maryknoll, NY:

Orbis Books, 1999.

Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. Letters and Papers from Prison. Touchtone Edition, 1977.

Haughton, Rosemary Luling. Images for Change: The Transformation of Society.

NY: Paulist Press, 1997.

Miller, L. and Stanley J. Grenz. Fortress Introduction to Contemporary Theologies.

Minneapolis: Fortess Press, 1998.

Johnson, Elizabeth A. Truly Our Sister. NY: Continuum, 2003.

Selected readings will be in the St. Bernard’s reference room and on line via the

U of R library.

REQUIREMENTS:

1.Prompt and full attendance at class is expected as well as the completion of the readings. Students are to participate in class lectures through active listening, posing questions, answering questions, offering interpretations, critiques and insights.

Students are expected to follow the St. Bernard’s attendance policy.

2. An integration paper looking at the merging of history and theology:

The purpose of this first 6-8 page paper is to become more aware of how historical events have the potential to call forth reflection and response from the theological community.

Choose two significant world events that are happening at this moment. For each event do the following:

a)Identify not only the main issue, but smaller issues that surface from this world event.

b)Explore how these issues have/ or are having spiritual and theological ramifications for the people of God.

c)How might the theological communities choose to respond to these events?

d)Would you want this world event to become the focus of a homily in church? Why or why not.

3.One 5-7 page paper responding to the Bonhoeffer text.

The following points are to be covered in this paper.

a)What does this book teach us about the historical and theological questions and issues that emerge in the 20^th-21^st century?

b)In what ways does this text make a significant contribution to contemporary theology? Be very specific here.

c)How were you personally challenged by this author and his/her work? Why does our church need the reflections of this theologian?

d)Add anything else to your analysis that you deem important.

4. Oral Class Presentation:

The student is to choose a piece of artwork, a poem, a motion picture, or a piece of music that they believe reflects the history and the theology of the 20^th century. (You may need to make a personal interpretation regarding the theology…..just back up your interpretations!)

The student will present the piece (clip from the film) and point out the connection between this creative work and what we are studying in class.

Points to be covered are:

How does this piece use the realities of the 20^th century to make its point? How does it reflect key spiritual or theological questions that emerge from with human beings?

How does this piece challenge the viewer/hearer and the student?

It will be useful to find out something about the artist, writer etc, but this is secondary to the student’s own creative interpretation and how they support their interpretation.

The student will need to make a concerted effort to connect the piece to what we are reading and discussing in class.

5. A critical analysis and response to Truly Our Sister by Elizabeth A. Johnson or Images for Change: The Transformation of Society by Rosemary Haughton.

The Johnson paper should cover the following points:

How does this theological text reflect a change in Catholic theology from the past?

How does Johnson demonstrate the principles of feminist theology?

In what ways does this book stretch you theologically and spiritually?

In what ways does this book make a contribution to contemporary theology?

Feel free to add other observations, comments, or critiques.

The Haughton paper should cover the following points:

In what ways does this book help us understand the task of the modern era?

How does Haughton’s use of architecture as a metaphor function in this book?

How does this text challenge you and stretch your understanding of contemporary history and/or theology?

Is this book useful for a course of this kind?

Feel free to add other observations, comments, or critiques.

Each paper is to be double spaced and typed using 12 with one-inch margins all around. Please use page numbers.

Each paper is to have a cover sheet with the name of the course, the title of the assignment, the due date and the student’s name.

Please staple your papers. Please check your grammar and spelling carefully.

Papers are to be turned in on time.

EVALUATION:

The written papers and the oral presentation counts for 85% of the final grade.

Class participation counts for 15% of the final grade.

SYLLABUS

January 17 Introduction to Course

Theological and Historical Worldviews

World War One and the Fear of Modernity

Key Theological Terms

The Work of Rudolph Bultmann

Readings: Miller and Grenz: Chapter 3

Baum: Chapters 1 and 2

January 24 Karl Barth and Dialectical Theology

The Rise of Neo-Orthodoxy

Crisis of Liberal Protestantism

The Rise of Nazi Socialism: Response of German Christianity

Discussion of Barth Writing

Readings: Miller and Grenz Chapter 1

Barth Selection

January 31 The Reality of the Holocaust

The Question of Suffering

Jewish Theological Response to Holocaust

Readings: Miller and Grenz Chapter 5

Baum Chapters 6 and 7

***First Assignment is Due

February 7 The Life and Work of Dietrich Bonhoeffer

The Theology of Paul Tillich

The Method of Correlation

Discussion of Tillich Writing

Readings: Miller and Grenz Chapter 4

Tillich Selection

February 14 Discussion of Letters and Papers from Prison

The Birth of Political Theology

The Work of Dorothee Soelle

The Social Gospel

Reading: Letters and Papers from Prison

***Bonhoeffer Paper is Due

February 21 The Theology of Jurgen Moltmann

The Theology of Hope

The Crucified God

Discussion of Moltmann Writing

Readings: Miller and Grenz Chapter 8

Moltmann Selection

February 28 The Rise of Secularism

The Death of God Theology

Impact of Vatican II

Rahner’s Transcendental Theology

Rahner Writing in Class

Readings: Miller and Grenz Chapter 9

Baum Chapters 11 and 13

March 7 Oral Class Presentations

March 14 Emergence of Third World Theologies

Liberation Theology and Concerns of the Poor

Gutierrez, Boff, and Jon Sobrino

Discussion of Gutierrez Writing

Readings: Miller and Grenz Chapter 10

Baum Chapter 9

Gutierrez Selection

March 21 Feminist Theology and Women’s Concerns

Black and Womanist Theologies

Discussion of Cone, Williams and Ruether Writings

Readings: Miller and Grenz Chapter 11

Cone, Williams and Ruether Selections

March 28 The Work of Elizabeth Johnson

Discussion of Truly Our Sister

Reading: Truly Our Sister

April 4 (No Classes) HAPPY EASTER!!

April 11 Process Theology

Postmodern Realities and Insights

Transition into the 21^st Century

Discussion of Haughton Text

Reading: Images for Change by Rosemary Haughton

April 18 Ecological Theology

Insights from Asia

What lies ahead for us theologically?

***Final Paper on either Johnson or Haughton Text is Due