Module 7 - Christian Doctrine

Module aims:

To study the classic doctrines of the Christian Church, especially how and why we understand ourselves as being in the protestant evangelical heritage of the church.

SUBJECT

Session aims

7/1

Introduction:

An exploration of theology and its changes over time

To look at and discuss a survey of the historical study of Christian faith

To consider the major influences on the development of Christian thought

To discuss the significance of Christian Doctrine for today

7/2

God the Father:

The origins of our belief in one Creator God

To explore the origins of our understanding of God within Judaism

To ask what new revelations of God were revealed to us by Jesus

To discuss how we can know more about God and His purposes today

7/3

God the Son:

Confessing Jesus as God and how we do this

To look at how people in Jesus' day spoke to Him and what they meant

To get to know how the early church began to debate 'who' Jesus was

To ask why people still debate the question of who Jesus was and is.

7/4

God the Holy Spirit:

The Spirit as the third 'person' of the Trinity

To study the Biblical reasons why we believe that God has sent His Spirit

To explore who and what the Holy Spirit is and what He does

To discuss the meaning of the Trinity and whether this is helpful today

7/5

Classics - Origen:

The extraordinary life and works of Origen

To gain an understanding of Christian life in the third century after Christ

To study the life of Origen and its influence on his teaching

To become acquainted with the teachings of Origen and their influence

7/6

Classics - Aquinas:

'Proof God exists' - Thomas Aquinas

To study the life of this famous theologian of the 13th Century

To study his famous theses proving the existence of God

To explore his impact on the church of the day, and consequently

7/7

Classics - Barth:

The theological revolution of Karl Barth

To understand why the 20th century was ripe for theological revolution

To explore Karl Barth's analysis of salvation, and the texts he uses

To look at why the works of Karl Barth continue to challenge scholars

7/8

Classics - Lewis:

The insights of C S Lewis, the converted scholar

To look at the life story of CS Lewis and his conversion 'Surprised by Joy'

To examine the controversial contribution of CS Lewis to C20 theology

To explore his 'Narnia' books and whether they help people know God

7/9

Essentials:

Soteriology, Ecclesiology and Eschaltology.

To get to know what is meant by these basic Christian doctrines

To discuss whether they should become the subject of greater debate

To consider whether they have more to say to us than people think

Next Christian Doctrine module

LiFE is in its infancy and is constantly reviewed. Over the next few months we hope to gain backing for its long term future, and with this, the next Christian Doctrine module will be in the spring of 2017.   

All students taking this course must have done the initial discipleship module and are expected to be familiar with the style of learning. Apart from this there are no rules about which modules are done when; you are free to choose them as you wish.  Click here to express an interest: