Module THEO2711: The Holy Spirit in Christian Theology and the Life of the Church

Department: Theology and Religion

THEO2711: The Holy Spirit in Christian Theology and the Life of the Church

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To equip students with a critical-constructive understanding of the place of Pneumatology (theology of the Holy Spirit) in Christian theological tradition and life.
• To introduce students to the approach of ‘third article theology’ – deriving from Pentecostal theology – in its concern to treat of all the loci of Christian theology from a Pneumatological perspective.
• To engage students in critical-constructive examinations of some of the ways in which Christian theologians across 2,000 years and diverse geographical and socio-political contexts have variously articulated the relationship between Pneumatology and other key areas of Christian doctrine and practice.
• To deepen students’ capacities for pursuing close readings of theological sources, drafting discussion papers, discussing these in peer seminar contexts, and then producing associated high-quality pieces of writing.

Content

• Students will be introduced to the contrast between the theology of the Holy Spirit as supposedly relatively undeveloped in much Christian tradition and the conviction of Pentecostalist ‘third article’ theology that every aspect of Christian life and doctrine has an intrinsically Pneumatological dimension and can be properly treated from that perspective.
• Students will study the ways in which theologians in different historical, geographical, socio-political, and ecclesial contexts have interpreted the relationship between Pneumatology and diverse aspects of Christian life and doctrine. Writings from both Eastern and Western Christian traditions will be included.
• Students will pursue a series of tutor-introduced critical-constructive examinations, ranging in any given year across a sub-set of the following areas: Readings of the Holy Spirit in Scripture; Pneumatology and Christology; Pneumatology and Trinity; Pneumatology and Revelation; Pneumatology and Creation; Pneumatology and Soteriology; Pneumatology and Grace; Pneumatology and Christian Life and Mission; Pneumatology and Prayer; Pneumatology and Ecclesiology; Pneumatology and Ecclesial Discernment; Pneumatology and Sacraments; Pneumatology and Ecumenism; and Pneumatology and Other Faiths.

Learning Outcomes

• The approach of ‘third article theology’.
• The relationships between Pneumatology and other aspects of Christian theological tradition and life.
• The Pneumatological writings of selected theologians, demonstrating diverse perspectives across 2,000 years of Christian traditions and differing geographical, socio-political, and ecclesial contexts.

• Skills in the acquisition of information through reading and research, and in the structured presentation of information in written form.

• Skills in the acquisition of information through reading and research, and in the structured presentation of information in written form.

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

• Mini-lectures/teaching inputs convey information and exemplify an approach to the subject-matter, enabling students to develop a clear understanding of the subject and to improve their skills in listening and in evaluating information.
• Seminar discussions allow the students to engage with the instructor and each other as they discuss specific issues, especially the close reading of texts, in detail, enhancing student knowledge and writing skills and preparing for summative assignments.
• Summative essays assess subject-specific knowledge and understanding, along with skills in the acquisition of information through reading and research, the analysis of theological texts, and in the structured presentation of information in written form.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Close reading of texts and analysis of scholarly arguments in seminar discussions, supported by taking turns in the production of short seminar discussion texts which are to be submitted (for tutor comment) within 24 hours of the relevant session.

■ 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