Year
2024Credit points
10Campus offering
Prerequisites
THCT500 Foundations of Christian Faith or THCT563 Introducing Theology
Incompatible
THCT630 - Creation, Grace and Salvation
Teaching organisation
This unit involves 150 hours of focused learning. The total includes formally structured learning activities such as lectures, tutorials, online learning, video-conferencing or supervision. The remaining hours typically involve reading, research, and the preparation of tasks for assessment.Unit rationale, description and aim
This unit will examine the Biblical witness to creation, grace and salvation and the development of the doctrines related to these themes. In particular it will examine the significant shifts in contemporary theologies of creation, grace and salvation. The diverse models for understanding creation will be examined in the light of the dialogue between science and religion. The unit will explore the individual, communal and structural elements of grace and sin, and connections with Christological, Trinitarian and creation doctrines. The source and scope of salvation will be treated, along with the various models of salvation proposed by contemporary soteriologies.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
| Learning Outcome Number | Learning Outcome Description | Relevant Graduate Capabilities |
|---|---|---|
| LO1 | Give a critical account of the Biblical witness to the beliefs regarding creation, grace and salvation | GC1, GC7, GC9, GC11 |
| LO2 | Critically examine the development of significant doctrines related to creation, grace and salvation, including the role of relevant background theories from disciplines such as philosophy | GC1, GC7, GC9, GC11, GC12 |
| LO3 | Evaluate various models of the science/theology relationship with regard to creation | GC1, GC7, GC9, GC11, GC12 |
| LO4 | Analyse and appraise contemporary approaches to the theology of salvation (soteriology) and original sin | GC1, GC7, GC9, GC11, GC12 |
| LO5 | Use a variety of resources, including online databases, to demonstrate a proficiency in independent research | GC1, GC9 |
| LO6 | Develop and justify in the light of the tradition a coherent, evidence-based personal position on a relevant issue | GC1, GC2, GC7, GC11, GC12 |
Content
Topics will include:
• the Biblical witness regarding creation, grace and salvation
• significant debates in the historical development of related doctrines
• models of the science/theology relationship regarding creation
• contemporary critique of soteriologies involving sacrifice and violence
• the source and scope of salvation
• models of nature and grace
• models of salvation/redemption and original sin
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This unit involves 150 hours of focused learning. The total includes formally structured learning activities such as lectures, tutorials, online learning, video-conferencing, or supervision. The remaining hours typically involve reading, research, and the preparation of tasks for assessment.
Assessment strategy and rationale
A range of assessment procedures will be used to meet the unit learning outcomes and develop graduate attributes consistent with University assessment requirements. Such procedures may include, but are not limited to: essays, reports, examinations, student presentations, case studies and online interactive student performance tasks.
Overview of assessments
| Brief Description of Kind and Purpose of Assessment Tasks | Weighting | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
A short written task such as a forum post or response paper which enables students to demonstrate familiarity with literature on the topic | 25% | LO1, LO2, LO4, LO5, LO6 |
A verbal or written presentation which requires students to critically analyse and evaluate complex ideas and debates in the field. | 25% | LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6 |
A longer written task, such an essay or report, which enables students to effectively communicate their learning in this unit. | 50% | LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6 |
Representative texts and references
Daly, G. Creation and Redemption. Wilmington, Del.: M. Glazier, 1989.
Davis, S.T., D. Kendall and G. O'Collins, eds. The Redemption: An Interdisciplinary Symposium on Christ as Redeemer. New York: Oxford University Press, 2004.
Duffy, S. The Dynamics of Grace: Perspectives in Theological Anthropology. Collegeville, MI: Liturgical Press, 1993.
Edwards, D. How God Acts: Creation, Redemption, and Special Divine Action. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2010.
Kärkkäinen, V-M. ed. Holy Spirit and Salvation: The Sources of Christian Theology. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2010.
O'Collins, G. Jesus Our Redeemer: A Christian Approach to Salvation. New York: Oxford University Press, 2007.
Ormerod, N. Creation, Grace, and Redemption. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2007.
Rossi, P.J., ed. God, Grace, and Creation. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2010.
Schwager, R. Must There Be Scapegoats? Violence and Redemption in the Bible. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1987.
Wiley, T. Original Sin: Origins, Developments, Contemporary Meanings. New York: Paulist Press, 2002.