Introduction to the Study of Protestant Theology (The Experience of God) - RETA4001

• Title: STP-Introduction to the Study of Protestant Theology
• Guaranteed by: Department of Systematic Theology (27-SYST)
• Faculty: Protestant Theological Faculty
• Actual: from 2022
• Semester: winter
• Points: 5
• E-Credits: 5
• Examination process: winter s.:
• Hours per week, examination: winter s.:2/0, C+Ex [HT]
• Capacity: unlimited / unknown (unknown)
• Min. number of students: unlimited
• 4EU+: no
• Virtual mobility / capacity: no
• State of the course: taught
• Language: English
• Teaching methods: full-time
• Teaching methods: full-time
• Note: course can be enrolled in outside the study plan; enabled for web enrollment
• Guarantor: prof. Ivana Noble, Ph.D.
• Is pre-requisite for: RETA6002, RETA6012, RETA4011

Annotation

Last update: Mgr. Zdenko Širka, Th.D. (14.10.2021)

This course covers two subjects: Experience of God (RET4042A) and Introduction to the study of protestant theology (RETA4001).
The Experience of God can be tracked in biblical and liturgical texts, church documents, theological treatises, poetry or other forms of Christian art. Approaching this experience theologically means that we have to enter into a dialectial tension between the requirements of a spiritual journey and of a science. This course will introduce fundamental theological themes, such as: the divine mystery and revelation; authorities that testify to God; the role of historical and cultural contexts; belief in divine grace and methods for interpreting the human experience of God; the wisdom of discernment. These issues will be investigated as they evolved in different Christian traditions, from within this creative tension between the requirements of the spiritual journey and of the science. Based on the book by Ivana Noble, Tracking God: An Ecumenical Fundamental Theology, the course consists of lectures and discussions. Students will read and interpret theological texts, listen to music, and engage with works of art.

Literature

Last update: Mgr. Zdenko Širka, Th.D. (14.10.2021)

Ivana Noble, Tracking God: An Ecumenical Fundamental Theology. Eugene, Oregon: Wipf & Stock, 2010.

Syllabus

Last update: Mgr. Zdenko Širka, Th.D. (14.10.2021)

Time schedule:

Introduction: What is Theology? An Experiential Approach

Divine Mystery and Revelation in the Scriptures and Early Tradition

Divine Mystery Revelation in Modern Theology

Homework: Divine Mystery and Revelation in the Architecture and Imagery of Two Churches in Prague (different confessions)

Presentations I

The Authority of God Mediated in the Human World

17 November is a national holiday

The Use and Abuse of Authority: A Critical Approach

Historical and Cultural Contexts of Theology

Historical and Cultural Context of Theology approached through Music

Return of Religious Experience into Theology

The Wisdom of Discernment (online)

 Presentations II (online)

Learning resources

Last update: Mgr. Zdenko Širka, Th.D. (07.10.2022)

Course in Moodle: https://moodle.etf.cuni.cz/moodle/course/view.php?id=698

Password to enrol: Experience

Course completion requirements

Last update: Mgr. Zdenko Širka, Th.D. (14.10.2021)

Requirements: An active course participation, two short presentations, and one written essay.

Course book: Ivana Noble, Tracking God: An Ecumenical Fundamental Theology. Eugene, Oregon: Wipf & Stock, 2010.

Seminar Papers will follow the main themes of the chapters of the Tracking God.