Introduction to Christian Doctrine

This course seeks to bring about a holistic doctrinal formation for those whose faith tradition and spiritual practices fall within the classical Pentecostal tradition.

This course, taught by David Han and Tony Richie at Pentecostal Theological Seminary, seeks to bring about a holistic doctrinal formation for those whose faith tradition and spiritual practices fall within the classical Pentecostal tradition. As an introduction course in doctrinal formation, the course does not necessarily expect that students will bring into classroom learning any prior, ’formal’ theological education although such preparation prior to the course is not certainly discouraged. As a graduate level course, however, the course instructors expect that the theological conversation in this class is expected be both critical and constructive. We will take a critical look at our faith practices, as well as their correlation with doctrinal belief that undergirds them. Learning to think critically will, however, have in view a creative exploration in theological (re)construction. For this reason, the pedagogical guideline for theological learning in this course shall adhere to the premise that theology is both a “faithful witness” to one’s particular Christian tradition and a “critical/creative” response to contemporary issues and questions. The upshot of this is a holistic doctrinal formation for the students wherein they learn to “think theologically” about issues and questions emerging from variegated contemporary ministry contexts and intend to “embody truth” in personal and corporate dimensions of Christian life. Following the trajectory of the “know-be-do” paradigm, then, knowing God “truly” (i.e. theological knowledge) is understood as being essentially correlated with transformational experiences in the Spirit as its foundation and Spirit-filled life as a community of faith as its tangible expression.

Seminary: Pentecostal Theological Seminary
Keywords: Draper-White conflict thesis, being human, astronomy, cosmology, genetics, origins, race, justice

Introduction to the Christian Doctrine

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