Introduction To Christian Theology I

Course Code
BDIV103
Level
Undergraduate
Credit Hours
3

Instructor(s)

Dr. Clement Adjei-Brown
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Course Description

Fundamental Christian beliefs and teachings, including revelation, inspiration, the Godhead, angels, the devil and the origin of sin, creation, man’s original condition and fall, state of the dead, the Holy Spirit, and the incarnation, ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ. Attention will also be given to angels and demons.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  1. Articulate and defend the essential theological doctrines of the historic Christian faith as covered in this course. 
  2. Appreciate the importance of the doctrines of Scripture, God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, creation, providence, and angels. 
  3. Grasp with greater depth the interrelationships between various doctrines with the twin goal of beginning to formulate a Christian worldview, as well as bringing our life, language, and thought more in conformity to God’s Word. 
  4. Integrate theological doctrines with contemporary issues thus learning how to do theology by applying the Word to the contemporary world. 

Course Content

Topics

  1. The nature and method of theology 
  2. Revelation and inspiration
  3. God: His person, attributes and works
  4. Angels, the devil and demons
  5. Creation, man’s original condition and fall into sin
  6. The Holy Spirit, and the incarnation
  7. The Son: The Person, ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ.

Mode of Delivery

Through lectures, seminars, class interaction, group discussion, reading and assignments.

Reading Materials

  1. Amevenku F. W. and I. Boateng (2020). Essays in Exegetical Christology. Accra: Noyam Publishing.
  2. Aye Addo, C. S. (2013). Akan Christology. Eugene, Oregon: Pickwick Publications.
  3. Benson, Clarence H. and Robert J. Morgan. (2007). Exploring Theology: A Guide for Systematic Theology and Apologetics. Wheaton, IL: Crossway. 
  4. Craig, William L., et al. (2011). Four Views of Divine Providence. Grand Rapids, MI.: Zondervan. 
  5. Lamoureux, Denis O., et al. (2013). Four Views on the Historical Adam. Grand Rapids, MI.: Zondervan.
  6. McCune, Rolland (2009). A Systematic Theology of Biblical Christianity: Volume 1- Prolegomena and the Doctrines of Scripture, God, and Angels. Allen Park, MI.: Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary.
  7. Thorsen, Don. (2008). An Exploration of Christian Theology. Peabody, MA.: Hendrickson.

Evaluation of Student Performance


Grading System

Letter Grade Mark% (Credit Points)

A 80-100 (4.0): Excellent

B+ 75-79 (3.5): Very Good

B 70-74 (3.0): Good

C+ 65-69 (2.5): Satisfactory

F Below 65 (0.0): Fail


Assessment

Students will be assessed in a variety of ways, including examinations, quizzes, take-home assignments, term papers, participation in classes and seminars, field reports, video-recorded demonstrations, etc.


Distribution of the Marks

  • Examination (End of course/semester): 60%
  • Course work, continuous assessment and attendance: 40%

Class Attendance

For Campus students and those receiving lectures via Zoom, due to the concentrated nature of the lectures, three unexcused class absence will reduce final grade by a letter grade. A 4th unexcused absence will result in an additional research assignment required for a passing grade. A 5th unexcused absence will result in a failing grade.


Writing Guidelines

All research papers and theses are to follow: (i) Kate L. Turabian A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations OR (ii) American Psychological Association (APA) Style.

1. Font & Font Size: Times New Roman, 12 point

2. Double space

3. 1-inch margins (File – Page Setup – Margins)

4. Indent paragraphs 0.5 inch (Format– Paragraph – Indent left)

5. Page numbers – lower center or upper right –beginning with the first page of text, but not on title page; Arabic numbers only (e.g., 1, 2; not Roman numerals); no other header or footer

6. Title page; then title again on page one (for formal papers)

7. In essay-type papers, ALWAYS write logically, persuasively, focused on the assigned topic; include a succinct introduction that informs the reader concerning the subject of your paper, and a succinct conclusion that summarizes your main points and expresses your resulting conclusion.

8. Use footnotes rather than endnotes, except in dissertation/thesis, where section endnotes are also acceptable.

9. All work should be proofread, as errors in spelling, grammar, and syntax will reduce assignment grade.


Plagiarism Policy

Plagiarism is against Daniel Institute policy, and any act of plagiarism will result in disciplinary action up to student dismissal from further study at Daniel Institute. Plagiarism includes but is not limited to quoting materials without proper citing or reference, cutting and pasting of online and other materials requires proper citing via quotation marks and footnote.


Final Examination

The final exam will consist of short answer questions as well as semi-essay questions. The reading and the classes are your means of preparation.

For candidates writing their examinations outside the main Daniel Institute campus, a proctor will be required. A proctor is a person who oversees an exam. He or she will typically verify a student’s identity by checking a photo ID and then ensures academic integrity guidelines are followed during the exam. The exam will be mailed to the proctor in PDF format. The proctor will need to print your exam, and preferably have access to a scanner to submit your exam. 3. When you have completed your exam, your proctor may either 1) scan and upload your exam to the DI Learning platform or mail to the relevant address provided. This format requires you handwrite your responses on the exam itself.


Submitting Assignments

Assignments can be submitted electronically through the Drop Box tool in Triport (or any other means endorsed by the lecturer). Paper submissions should be in either .doc, .docx or .pdf format. Submitting your work through drop box (or any other means prescribed by the lecturer) is considered a formal (and final) submission. Assignments may be returned to you electronically, in most cases via email. If your assignment was graded by hand, it will be scanned and delivered to you as a PDF file. Remember to use a full heading, including your name, professor, course, and date.


Biblical references

Always give biblical references in the text of your paper. For example, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.” (John 1:1; NRSV) Include the translation only if you are quoting a scripture that is different than NIV. For example, John pointed men to the Messiah (John 1:7).


Essay and Term Paper Cover Format

All essays and term paper must start with the required cover format. A single page number starts on the first page of the paper on the right side of the upper header.