ST-103 Short Introduction to Theology

Every Christian is already a theologian; the question is whether you do theology well. Learn to see the whole faith, test a teaching and keep each matter in its right place.

This course follows the WWES textbook Doing Theology in Global Context. It shows what theological formation is for: character, mind and skill for mission. Then it teaches you to guard the centre of the faith while leaving freedom at the edges, to think about how the faith takes root in each culture, and to read Scripture across cultures. It ends with what "evangelical" means and why Christ is the centre of Scripture and preaching.

What you will study

• Why every Christian is a theologian, and what formation is for
• Theology as vision: the Bible's story and the creeds' key teachings
• Theology as discernment: three questions to test a teaching or practice
• Guarding the centre, freeing the edges
• The church in every culture: at home there and on pilgrimage
• Reading Scripture across cultures, and three common errors
• What "evangelical" means, and why the Reformation still matters
• Christ at the centre of Scripture and preaching

Course materials

• Doing Theology in Global Context, a WWES textbook
• A Primer to Christian Theology, an additional WWES textbook
• The Bible