THL113 Being The Church (8)

CSU Discipline Area: Theology (THEOL)

Duration: One session

Abstract:

This subject studies the origins of the Christian church and biblical models for being the people of God. It examines the theological basis for the life, mission and ministry of the church, and ways in which the church sustains its mission in the twenty-first century. Traditional marks of the church as 'one, holy, catholic and apostolic' are discussed. Contemporary critiques of the church are considered, as are challenges to being church in a pluralist society. The unity and diversity of the church in an ecumenical context is explored.

+ Subject Availability Modes and Locations

Session 2
Internal	Canberra
Internal	United Theological College
Distance *	Canberra

*This subject offering contains a residential school. Please view following information for further details.

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: THL113

Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

be able to demonstrate knowledge of the origins of the Christian church in scripture and history
be able to discuss the theology of the church, its life, mission and ministry
be able to reflect critically on contemporary ecclesiology
be able to give an account of the identity and marks of the church
be able to engage critically with contemporary internal and external critiques of the church
be able to discuss the value and limits of unity in diversity within the church
be able to demonstrate self-guided learning, including research, writing and communication skills

Syllabus:

The subject will cover the following topics:

Israel as the people of God
the church according to the New Testament
the relation between Israel, Jesus and the church
types of church in history, belief and practice
the church and the kingdom of God
the church in the power of the Spirit
the mission of the church
the ministry of the church, lay and ordained
sustaining the life of the church through worship, prayer and sacraments and other Christian practices
the nature and exercise of authority; gifts and charisms in the church
contemporary internal and external critiques of the church
ecclesial identity in an ecumenical context; unity in diversity

Residential School

This subject contains a optional 2 day residential school.

The residential school for this introductory subject provides an orientation to the subject matter, methodology, library resources, and research tools pertaining to the study of the Christian Church.

Activities include lectures, library orientation and group work.

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