TH401/60 THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD

3 hours per week semester 1

Lecturer: Peter Hastie

Outcomes:  a comprehension of the methodology and art of dogmatics through studying some of the foundational doctrines of Christian Faith, on the basis of divine revelation.

Method: Classroom instruction and discussion along with written assignments.

Description: The first part of the course focuses on the doctrines of general and special revelation together with reason, tradition and experience; the second part of the course examines the truths of creation, providence, humanity, and sin.

Textbooks:

 Peter Jensen, The Revelation of God (IVP, 2002).

David Smith, With Wilful Intent (Victor, 1994).

Anthony Hoekema, Created in God’s Image (Eerdmans, 1994).

Paul Helm & Carl Trueman, The Trustworthiness of God: Perspectives on the Nature of Scripture (Apollos, 2002).

 

TH402/602  THE DOCTRINE OF GOD AND THE WORK OF CHRIST

3 hours per week semester 2

Lecturer: Peter Hastie

Outcomes: to be able to identify the major elements in a sound Trinitarian and Christological faith, with an informed awareness of the historical developments and alternatives theologies surrounding these.

Method: Classroom instruction and discussion along with written assignments.

Description: A systematic study of the various elements of the doctrine of God through a study of the divine Persons and attributes, and of the doctrine of Christ’s Person and work through an examination of his conception and birth, incarnate personality, life, death, resurrection, ascension and session.

Textbooks:

John Frame, The Doctrine of God (P & R. 2002).

Veli-Matti Karkkainen, Christology (Baker, 2003).

Robert Letham, The Work of Christ (IVP, 1993).

 

TH403/603  THE DOCTRINES OF GRACE AND ESCHATOLOGY

3 hours per week semester 1

Lecturer: Peter Hastie

Outcomes: To gain an understanding of the grace of God in the Gospel of his Son through an appreciation of the Holy Spirit’s ministry; to grasp the meaning of the reality of the Kingdom of God and the future hope surrounding Jesus Christ’s Return.

Method: Classroom instruction and discussion along with written assignments.

Description: A systematic study of the inter-connected truths that make up the central topic of Salvation followed by a study of the stages of eschatology as they affect the individual and the human community.

Textbooks:

Anthony Hoekema, Saved By Grace (Eerdmans, 1989).

Sinclair Ferguson, The Holy Spirit (IVP, 1996).

Anthony Hoekema, The Bible and the Future (Eerdmans, 1979).

 

TH404/604  CHURCH, SACRAMENTS AND MINISTRY

3 hours per week semester 2

Lecturer: Peter Hastie

Outcomes:  being able to connect meaningfully the realities of the Church and Kingdom through an intelligent appraisal of the nature of the Church, her gifts and ministries, Sacraments and mission to the world.

Method: Classroom instruction and discussion along with written assignments.

Description: A systematic study of the Christian church in relation to the Kingdom of God through a critical reflection of her nature, marks, gifts, administration and mission, together with the sacraments in their number, nature and function, finishing with an examination of Christian worship.

Textbooks:  

Edmund Clowney, The Church (IVP, 1995).

G W Bromiley, Children of Promise (Clark, 1979).

Veli-Matti Karkkainen, An Introduction to Ecclesiology (I & P Academic, 2002).

Kevin De Young & Ted Kluck, Why We’re not Emergent (Moody, 2008).

 

TH410/610  THE WESTMINSTER CONFESSION

3 hours per week

Lecturer: Jared Hood

Outcomes: To examine in detail the Westminster Confession of Faith  in its 17th century context; to consider the continuing significance of the Confession in the life of Presbyterian Church of Australia; to encourage students to develop their own theological thinking in interaction with the Confession.

Description: A detailed study of the Confession, including its historical and theological context, its structure, theological methodology and topics, its covenantal and decreetal schema, its view of church and state, and its place in the Presbyterian Church of Australia 

Method: Classroom instruction and discussion, student presentations, assignments and an exam.

Textbooks:

Robert Letham, The Westminster Assembly (P & R, 2009).

Ligon Duncan (ed), The Westminister Confession into the 21st Century, (Mentor, 2003).