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DE 5450 Contemporary Theology I
Lecturer: John S Feinberg
Course Description
In this course we shall attempt to examine some of the major trends in contemporary thought. In order to set the background for contemporary theological and philosophical discourse, we begin with a brief philosophical overview of the major developments in Western philosophy prior to Hegel. Discussion then turns directly to Hegel whose influence extends throughout the modern period. Kierkegaard represents not only a reaction to Hegel, but is also the first of the existentialist-oriented theologians we consider. After Kierkegaard, the course turns to Barth, Bultmann, and Tillich. Parallel to these developments in theology was the development of analytic philosophy. Our emphasis will be the philosophy of the earlier and later Wittgenstein. The course then culminates in the God is Dead Theologies of Paul Van Buren and Thomas Altizer. Three hours.
Course Objectives
As a result of this course, the student will . . .
- Describe the major trends in contemporary, nonevangelical thought.
- Explain the presuppositions (philosophical and otherwise) which generate such modern theologies.
- Recognize and defend against such views.
- Better advocate orthodox theological positions.
- Appreciate the complexity of modern theological discourse.
- Value interaction with modern philosophy and theology.
Course Materials
All required course materials can be purchased through the TEDS bookstore (800.456.7323/ 847.317.6800).
- Feinberg, John S. Contemporary Theology 1: From Hegel to the Death of God Theologies, Audio Lecture Tapes and Interactive Learning Guide. Grand Rapids: Institute of Theological Studies, a Division of Outreach, Inc., 1994, 1999.
This course requires a student to have access to a University library because of the number of texts assigned. The following texts are required reading (or possible alternates); specific reading assignments are listed with each lecture. Some of these are out of print, but are necessary due to the nature of the course. We have made recommendations as to which texts should be purchased and which may be obtained through a library. Various editions of the primary sources may be used, as may appropriate substitutions for secondary literature that becomes unavailable.
Recommended for Purchase
- Bretall, Robert, ed. A Kierkegaard Anthology. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1951; reprint, 1973.
- Kierkegaard, Soren. Fear and Trembling. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1983; reprint, New York: Penguin, 1986.
- Lowrie, Walter. A Short Life of Kierkegaard. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1942.
Recommended for Library Acquisition
- Altizer, Thomas J. J. The Gospel of Christian Atheism. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1966. (This text is out of print).
- Barth, Karl. Church Dogmatics. 4 vols. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1936-1962.
- Bultmann, Rudolf. Jesus Christ and Mythology. New York: Scribner, 1958; reprint, New York: Macmillan, 1981.
- Collins, James. The Existentialists. Chicago: Regnery, 1952. (This text is out of print).
- Gilkey, Langdon. Naming the Whirlwind: The Renewal of God-Language. Indianapolis and New York: Bobbs-Merrill, 1969.
- Grayling, A. C. Wittgenstein. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988.
- Kierkegaard, Soren. Philosophical Fragments. Edited and translated by Howard and Edna Hong. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1985.
- Taylor, Charles. Hegel. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1977.
- Tillich, Paul. Systematic Theology. 3 vols. in 1. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1967.
- Van Buren, Paul. The Secular Meaning of the Gospel. New York: Macmillan, 1963. (This text is out of print).
- Wittgenstein, Ludwig. Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus. New York: Harcourt, Brace & Company, 1922.
- ________. Philosophical Investigations. 3rd ed. Paramus, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, 1973.
Alternatives for Out-of-Print Texts
- Ford, David F., ed. The Modern Theologians: An Introduction to Christian Theology in the Twentieth Century. Oxford: Blackwell, 1997.
- Grenz, Stanley J. and Roger E. Olson. 20th Century Theology: God and the World in a Transitional Age. Downers Grove, Ill.: IVP, 1992.