Systematic Theology 1

What are Wright’s and Moltmann’s criticisms of Spe Salvi? Are these accurate? How do these issues bear on our classroom discussions of salvation in Christ?

What, according to McCabe, is the relationship between Jesus’ death and God’s forgiveness of our sins? How does his view compare with Williams’, Jenson’s, and Gunton’s?

Why does Jesus have to die, in Williams’ view? How does Jesus’ death effect God’s purpose for creation?

How do Gunton and Williams treat the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ life?  Do they allow each of the Evangelists to speak with his own voice? Do they attempt to harmonize the accounts? Do they attempt to get behind the texts to some ‘historical Jesus’? Do you think they read the Gospels rightly?

According to Wright, what is the meaning of ‘messiah’ in Jesus’ day? How would Jesus’ contemporaries have understood this title? What difference, if any, does this make for our understanding of Jesus’ identity?

Compare/contrast Aquinas’ and Calvin’s views of Providence.

What do Gunton and Williams say about the so-called problem of evil? How are Christians to respond to it, in their view?

What is unique about Boyd’s understanding of providence? How does it compare with Jenson’s, Williams’, and Gunton’s views?

What is meant by God’s ‘providence’? How does Gunton understand it? Jenson? Williams?

What, according to Jenson, is the role of Scripture in theology? In your opinion, what should it be?