DESCRIPTION: A study of the biblical teaching on the doctrine of Christ, focussing on his being and the main aspects of his life, work, death, resurrection and continuing ministry.
OBJECTIVES:
As a result of the student’s successful completion of this module, s/he will:
Head: Be familiar with the biblical teaching on the person and work of Christ and understand the importance of a correct Christology
Heart: Have a deeper love for Christ and a greater appreciation of his saving and keeping work on their behal
Hand: Be able to identify and explain the main events in the life of Christ and be able to explain the Gospel in a way that centres on the saving work of Christ on the cross
READING:
Required:
Grudem, W Systematic Theology (pages 529 – 630 Leicester: IVP, 1994
Recommended:
Bray, G Christology (Leicester, IVP, New Dictionary of Theology,
ed. Sinclair Ferguson and David F Wright, 1968, pp 137-140)
Brown, H O J Heresies (Grand Rapids, Michigan, Baker House, 1984)
Grogan, G
- The Christ of the Bible and the Church’s Faith Fearn: Christian Focus, 1998
- What the Bible teaches about Jesus Wheaton: Tyndale, 1979
Kelly, J N D Early Christian Doctrines (London, A&C Black, 1958, rep 1980)
Ladd, G E I believe in the Resurrection (London, Hodder and Stoughton, 1974)
Lewis, P The Glory of Christ London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1992
Longenecker, R N Contours of Christology in the New Testament
(Grand Rapids, Michigan, Wm B Eerdmans, 2005)
Marshall, H I Believe in the Historical Jesus
(London, Hodder and Stoughton, 1977).
Reymond, R
- Contending for the Faith (Rosshire, Mentor, 2005, chp 12, pp129-143)
- A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith
(Nashville, Thomas Nelson, 1998, ch 8, pp 211-312; ch 16, pp 583-615)
Sproul, R C Mighty Christ Fearn: Christian Focus, 1995
Wand, J W C The Four Great Heresies (London, Mowbray, 1955)
ASSIGNMENT
Students are required to write an essay of no more than 1500 words on ONE of the following subjects
1. Define the Hypostatic Union and explain why it is important to hold to this doctrine. Do this partly by referring to some of the false ways in which Christians in the past have tried to explain the mystery of the unity of the person of Christ.
2. What evidence is there from the life and ministry of Jesus Christ that validated his claims to deity?
SCHEDULE
Units 1-2 The Pre-existence of Christ and Christ in the Old Testament
Units 3-4 The Deity of Christ
Units 5-6 Incarnation and Humanity
Units 7-8 Human and Divine
Units 9-10 Life, Ministry and Death
Units 11-12 The Atonement (1)
Units 13-14 The Atonement (2)
Units 15-16 The Resurrection
Units 17-18 Ascension and Session
Units 19-20 The Return of Christ