Systematic Theology II
Malaysia Bible Seminary, Fall 2024
Clive S. Chin, PhD (clivechin@orpc.org.sg)
Course Description
This course introduces students to the person and work of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, especially in relation to creation and redemption. It also investigates soteriological topics including the nature and significance of Christ’s atonement for sin, election, calling, conversion, regeneration, justification, adoption, sanctification, perseverance, and glorification. The course examines the historical context, biblical basis, and applications for life and ministry for the doctrines considered.
Course Objectives
- To explain the biblical basis, systematic issues, and their bearing on the doctrines under consideration, namely, Christology, soteriology, and the saving work of the Holy Spirit.
- To help students think theologically by introducing them to historical, philosophical, and contextual aspects in each of those subjects.
- To clarify the relation of those doctrines to other doctrines within an evangelical theology that seeks to engage Asian religious and cultural realities.
- To guide students in formulating his/her own convictions on salient issues within the discussion of competing systems of thought.
- To connect theory and practice for effective Christian living in this world and service in various contexts of ministry.
Course Format
The class will meet weekly from 2-5pm for lectures and discussions on appointed Mondays via zoom.
Required Texts
Chin, Clive. “The Gospel According to John Calvin.” In The Gospel Speaks: Past, Present, and Always, eds. Samuel Goh and Desmond Soh, pp. 10-19. Singapore: Singapore Bible College, 2017.
Cole, Graham. “Thinking Theologically.” The Reformed Theological Review 48/2 (May-August 1989): 51-62.
Erickson, Millard. Christian Theology. 3nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2013 (parts 7-10).
Tennent, Timothy. Theology in the Context of World Christianity. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2007 (chapters 5-7).
Recommended Texts
Boice, James Montgomery. The Doctrines of Grace. Crossway, 2000.
Bruner, Dale. A Theology of the Holy Spirit: The Pentecostal Experience and the New Testament Witness. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1970.
Bultmann, Rudolf. Jesus Christ and Mythology. New York: Scribner’s, 1958.
Chan, Simon. Grassroot Asian Theology. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2014.
Chin, Clive S. The Perception of Christianity as a Rational Religion in Singapore: A Missiological Analysis of Christian Conversion. American Society of Missiology Monograph Series 31. Eugene, OR: Pickwick, 2017.
_______. Unio Mystica and Imitatio Christi: The Two-Dimensional Nature of John Calvin’s Spirituality. Lanham, MD: Hamilton, 2017.
_______. “The Calling of Asian Christian Scholars: A Theologian’s Perspective.” Journal of Asian Evangelical Theology 22/1-2 (Mar-Sept 2018): 29-48.
Cole, Graham. He Who Gives Life. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2007.
Corduan, Winfried. A Tapestry of Faiths: The Common Threads Between Christianity and World Religions. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 2002.
Demarest, Bruce. The Cross and Salvation: The Doctrine of Salvation. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 1997.
Dieter, Melvin. Five Views on Sanctification. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1987.
Dunn, James D. G. Christology in the Making: A New Testament Inquiry into the Origins of the Doctrine of the Incarnation. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1980.
Erickson, Millard. The Word Became Flesh. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1991.
Grudem, Wayne A., ed. Are the Miraculous Gifts for Today? Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1996.
Kim, Sebastian C. H., ed. Christian Theology in Asia. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2008.
Hiebert, Paul. Anthropological Reflections on Missiological Issues. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1994.
Horne, Charles. The Doctrine of Salvation. Chicago, Moody, 1984.
Hwa, Yung. Mangoes or Bananas? The Quest for an Authentic Asian Christian Theology. Oxford: Regnum, 1997.
_______. “The Gospel in Twenty-First-Century Asia.” Trinity Theological Journal 13 (2005): 87-102.
Kärkkäinen, Veli-Matti. Pneumatology: The Holy Spirit in International, Ecumenical, and Contextual Perspective. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2002.
_______. Christology: A Global Introduction. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2003.
Macleod, Donald. The Person of Christ. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 1998.
Marks, Darren. Bringing Theology to Life: Key Doctrines for Christian Faith and Mission. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2009.
McDermott, Gerald R. Can Evangelicals Learn from World Religions? Jesus, Revelation and Religious Traditions. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2000.
McGrath, Alister. Christian Theology: An Introduction. 5th ed. West Sussex, UK: Wiley-Blackwell, 2010.
_______. The Christian Theology Reader. 4th ed. West Sussex, UK: Wiley-Blackwell, 2011.
McKnight, Scot. Turning to Jesus: The Sociology of Conversion in the Gospels. Louisville, KY: WJK, 2002.
Moltmann, Jürgen. The Crucified God: The Cross of Christ as the Foundation and Criticism of Christian Theology. London, 1974.
Norris, R. A., trans. and ed. The Christological Controversy: Sources of Early Christian Thought. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1980.
Oden, Thomas. The Justification Reader. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2002.
Okholm, Dennis L. and Timothy R. Phillips, eds. Four Views on Salvation in a Pluralistic World. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1996.
Pache, Rene. The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit. Chicago: Moody, 1979.
Packer, J. I. Keep in Step with the Spirit. Grand Rapids, MI: Revell, 1984.
Pannenberg, Wolfhart. Jesus-God and Man. London, 1968.
Pelikan, Jaroslav. Jesus Through the Centuries: His Place in the History of Culture. New York: Harper and Row, 1987.
Peterson, Robert A. and Michael D. Williams. Why I Am Not an Arminian. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2004.
Pinnock, Clark, ed. The Grace of God and the Will of Man. Minneapolis, MN, Bethany, 1989.
Piper, John. The Future of Justification. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2007.
Pope-Levison, P. and Levison, J. R. Jesus in Global Contexts. Louisville, KY: Westminster, 1992.
Rambo, Lewis. Understanding Religious Conversion. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.
Ro, Bong Rin and Eshenaur, Ruth, eds. The Bible and Theology in Asian Contexts: An Evangelical Perspective on Asian Theology. Seoul: ATA, 1984.
Saucy, Robert. Minding the Heart: The Way of Spiritual Transformation. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, 2013.
Sugirtharajah, R. S., ed. Asian Faces of Jesus. New York: Orbis Press, 1993.
Tuckett, Christopher. Christology and the New Testament. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2001.
Walls, Jerry L. and Joseph R. Dongell. Why I Am Not a Calvinist. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2004.
Williams, Michael. “Systematic Theology as a Biblical Discipline.” In All for Jesus: A Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Covenant Theological Seminary, eds. R. A. Paterson and S. M. Lucas. Fearn, Ross Shire: Christian Focus, 2005, 197-233.
Wright, N. T. Justification: God’s Plan and Paul’s Vision. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2009.
Villanueva, Fedrico and Stephen Pardue, eds. Jesus Among the Nations: Christology in Asian Perspectives. Quezon City: Asia Theological Association, 2017.
Wu, Jackson. Saving God’s Face: A Chinese Contextualization of Salvation through Honor and Shame. Pasadena, CA: WCIU, 2012.
Yinger, Kent. The New Perspective on Paul: An Introduction. Eugene, OR: Cascade, 2011.
ASSIGNMENTS
- Attendance: Class attendance is compulsory. Absences will only be excused for medical or dire circumstances in which case all assignments must be made up in due time.
- Reading and Class Participation: It is important that students come to class having carefully read and reflected on the assigned readings. This preparation helps to stimulate discussion and dialogue during class. The instructor genuinely believes that an idea is not truly “owned” until one is able to put it through disciplined discussion. Please report the percentage of daily reading assignments completed in the research paper.
- Chapter Reviews: Write concise critical reviews of the following chapters in Timothy Tennent’s text, Theology in the Context of World Christianity. Three key elements are to be included: (1) concise summary of the chapter, (2) critical evaluation of the key theological issues, noting both strengths and weaknesses, and (3) applicability in your ministry context. Papers must be at least 4 pages but not exceed 5 pages in length. Student should clearly and succinctly express his/her personal convictions on these critical issues. These assignments are designed to develop the student’s analytical and synthetic skills in doing theology. Grades are assigned on the basis of accurate reflection of the author’s thesis and argument (40%), sound biblical-theological analysis (50%), and proper format (10%). All papers are due at the beginning of class. All late assignments, without prior permissions, are marked down one-third grade per day including weekends.
- “Christ as Healer and Ancestor in Africa,” in Theology in the Context of World Christianity (2007), noting both strengths and weaknesses. Discuss his attempt to integrate the various sources of theology in formulating a contextual theology for Africa. Given his example, how would you contextualize Christology in Asian contexts?
- “Is Salvation by Grace through Faith Unique to Christianity,” in Theology in the Context of World Christianity (2007), noting both strengths and weaknesses. Discuss his attempt to integrate the various sources of theology in formulating a contextual theology for Japan. Given his example, how would you contextualize soteriology in Asian/Buddhist contexts?
- “The Holy Spirit in Latin American Pentecostalism,” in Theology in the Context of World Christianity (2007), noting both strengths and weaknesses. Discuss his attempt to integrate the various sources of theology in formulating a contextual theology for Latin America. Given his example, how would you contextualize pneumatology in Asian contexts?
- Research Paper: Students will write a major term paper on a suggested topic below. The paper, written between 10-12 pages (double-spaced), will be assessed for focus and clarity (10%), argumentation (10%), theological substance (20%), integration of sources (50%) form and style (10%). This assignment is designed to develop a student’s skills in the theological interpretation of Scripture, interaction with secondary literature, development of analytical and synthetic thinking in formulating theology, and application of theology to concrete life and ministry situations. See below for further details. Students must submit papers on the appropriate due date. NB: All late papers (i.e., homework assignments and position papers), unless cleared ahead of time by the instructor for valid reasons, will be deducted by half a grade per day, including weekends. All papers must be properly documented and formatted according to Turabian’s A Manual for Writers, 9th edition. In addition, all researched papers must be scanned by Turnitin.com to test for the degree of similarity.
- Instructions for Writing: The topics are framed to engage your critical and integrative capacities as a systematic thinker, so do not change the format, and address all parts of the topic. Omission of any part will be detrimental to your grade. Be sure to interact with the 4 sources of systematic theology: (1) Scripture; (2) tradition (the viewpoints of historical theologians, at least one pre-20th century); (3) reason (learning/knowledge in extra-theological fields); and (4) cultural context or experience. Also include (5) a final section stating your conclusions, with reflection on the practical, ministry-related implications of your findings. Note: Systematic theology is inherently interdisciplinary and integrative. Exegesis and biblical theology are necessary but insufficient on their own. Assessment will be based on your interaction with all five components (systematic theology’s 4 sources + practical ramifications) outlined above. Omission of any of the five elements will detract from your grade, as the treatment will be less comprehensive.
- The following definitions clarify “reason” and “experience.” “Reason” refers to the present state of knowledge in extra-theological disciplines, e.g. the humanities (philosophy, history, literature, linguistics, cultural studies, world religions, the arts, et al), the natural sciences (physics, astronomy, biology, chemistry, biomedical research, et al). What theories, concepts, or studies in fields outside of biblical studies and theology offer possible connections, analogies, for examples, throwing additional light on the topic? This includes views and practices (religious, cultural, et al) with which Christians disagree. “Christian experience” refers to relevant insights drawn from Christians’ lived, practical experience, as instructive and/or corroborative evidence. Are there past and/or contemporary believers’ life-narrative, testimonies, and/or wisdom perspectives that further contribute to a systematic (i.e., holistic) understanding of your topic?
- Paper Topics. Choose one of the following topics for your term paper:
- Given the Nicene and Chalcedonian Creeds as the doctrinal basis for Christology, address some of the key theological questions (per Erickson) which are seemingly unresolved. How would you formulate Christology in engaging Asian contexts?
- How has human nature been affected by the fall? To what extent do humans have the power to turn to God in repentance and faith? Compare, contrast, and evaluate major theologians and/or traditions who differ (e.g., Roman Catholic and the Reformers’ perspectives or the Reformed and Arminian views).
- Discuss the theological importance of the Reformation doctrine of justification by faith alone, in the light of contemporary debates.
- Discuss the nature of sanctification: what part, if any, do humans play in it? Be sure to interact with differing perspectives on human freedom (e.g., Calvinist and Arminian views).
GRADING
- Required reading—10%
- Active class participation—5%
- Chapter Reviews (x3)—45%
- Research Paper—40%
TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE
| DATE | SUBJECT | ASSIGNMENT |
| 8 July | Christology | All readings in Erickson, Cole, Chin, and Tennent due |
| 22 July | Christology | |
| 29 July | Christology | |
| 5 Aug | Christology | First chapter review of Tennent due |
| 12 Aug | Soteriology | |
| 19 Aug | Soteriology | |
| 26 Aug | Soteriology | Second chapter review of Tennent due |
| 9 Sep | Soteriology | |
| 16 Sept | Pneumatology | |
| 23 Sept | Pneumatology | Third chapter review of Tennent due |
| 28 Oct | Research paper due |