CS3142 —

Who Is This Christ?

GDT, MTS, MDiv (Specialised: Christian Thought and History)(Min. No. 6)

2nd semester Thursday morning

Content

This unit involves systematic reflection on the life, person, mission and ministry of Jesus Christ, the foundation of Christianity. It highlights his vocation to live, love, work, suffer and die for the coming of the reign (Kingdom) of God. It starts with a survey of impressions of him. It goes on to distinguish between the Jesus of history and the Christ of faith. This leads to an inquiry into the scope, achievements and limits of the quest for the historical Jesus. In turn this opens into a consideration of the following themes: the world of Jesus; the reign of God in his mission, message and actions; his sufferings, crucifixion and death; his resurrection and its impact on the Jesus movement; New Testament interpretations; his identity in history and tradition; some special questions, including his role as liberator and saviour, and his continuing relevance for individuals, the Church, and the world.

Prerequisites

BN3550 and CS3272, or equivalent

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. express the relationship between the Jesus of history and the Christ of faith
2. demonstrate an understanding of the issues involved in the quest for the historical Jesus
3. articulate and explain the significance of the Reign of God as the core of his public life and ministry
4. explain the Christian teaching that his death and resurrection is the culmination of his life and mission
5. articulate an understanding of his continuing presence and activity in the Church
6. critique the Chalcedonian definition of the identity of Jesus Christ
7. demonstrate the ability to engage with relevant contemporary literature in Christology.

Assessment

1500 word book review (25%); 1500 word seminar presentation (25%);

3000 word essay (50%)

Bibliography

* = set texts recommended for purchase

*Brown, Raymond. An Introduction to New Testament Christology. New York: Paulist Press, 1994.

Fuellenbach, John. The Kingdom of God: The Message of Jesus Today. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1995.

Johnson, Elizabeth. Consider Jesus: Waves of Renewal in Christology. Collegeville, MN: Michael Glazier, 1983.

McDermott, Brian. Word Become Flesh: Dimensions of Christology. Collegeville, MN: Michael Glazier, 1993.

Neufeld, Thomas R. Recovering Jesus: The Witness of the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press, 2007.

O’Collins, Gerald. Christology: A Biblical, Historical, and Systematic Study of Jesus. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1995.

*Rausch, Thomas. Who is Jesus? An Introduction to Christology. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2003.

Sanders, E. P. The Historical Figure of Jesus. London: Penguin Books, 1995.

Lecturer

Greg Brett CM