Module THEO57730: Resurrection Theology

Department: Theology and Religion

THEO57730: Resurrection Theology

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To outline classic and modern options in the interpretation of the resurrection.
• To explore contributions to resurrection theology across the theological disciplines.
• To achieve a constructive resurrection theology.

Content

• Interpreting the resurrection is a task at the cutting edge of Christian theology and the publiction of scholarly and popular literature on the subject continues unabated. Given the cultural and intellectual shifts of late (or post-) modernity, there are signs that old paradigms are breaking down and that new ones are taking their place. From a modernist preoccupation with historicity and a positivist concentration on 'what actually happened', the focus has expanded to include other ways of discerning the truth or otherwise of the resurrection. Included in these developments is the exploration of how the resurrection challenges and transforns widely-held constructions of reality and calls forth new ways of being in the world.
• With reference to the scriptual texts and historical and contemporary debates, this module will examine current interpretations of the resurrection with a view to achieving a critical resurrection theology appropriate to today.
• The first term will be concerned with the resurrection in some contemporary New Testament scholarship, including the Third Quest of the Historical Jesus and its leading proponents. It will consider also developments in systematic theology, including leading contributors such as Karl Rahner, Wolfhart Pannenberg and Jurgen Moltmann. A particular point of interest will be the interaction between biblical studies and systematic theology in relation to the resurrection. The second term will be concerned with explotations of the wider dimensions of resurrection theology in recent discussion. This will include the ethical, social and political dimensions of the resurrection in the writings of theologians like Nicholas Lash, Rowan Williams and Oliver O'Donovan. There will also be some consideration given to explorations of the meaning of the resurrection in liturgy and spirituality.

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of the module students should be able:-
• To discuss recent developments in resurrection theology.
• To engage with significant interdisciplinary contributions to resurrection theology.
• To reflect critically on the significance of the resurrection for today.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

One 5000 word essay

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University