J. Todd Billings

Courses

Systematic Theology I, TF 113

Purpose and Description
In this course, we will examine three central topics of the Christian life and faith: the Triune God, Christ, and humanity. Since ancient times, the church has instructed Christians on these topics as a way to explicate the meaning of their baptism. As a result, our central focus will be the first two articles of the baptismal creed known as the Apostles’ Creed. Christian teaching related to the Triune God, Christ, and humanity constitutes the grammar, logic, and shape of Christian liturgy, prayer, and worship.

As we unfold the sources and logic of Christian theologies of God, the Trinity, Christ, and humanity, we will discuss the following topics: the attributes of God; the nature of divine Triunity; the person and work of Christ; Creation, providence, and humanity; the effects of sin; and the resurrection of the dead. Readings will range from the early church to modern times.

Systematic Theology II, TF 114

Purpose and Description
In this course, we will examine three central topics of the Christian life and faith: the identity and work of the Holy Spirit, the nature of salvation, and the sacraments. Since ancient times, the church has instructed Christians on these topics as a way to explicate the meaning of their baptism. As a result, our central focus will be to follow up and build upon the exploration of the first two articles of the baptismal (Apostles’) creed in Systematic Theology I. This course will focus upon key features of the third article of the baptismal creed, with a special emphasis upon the sacraments.

As we unfold the sources and logic of Christian theologies of the Holy Spirit, salvation, and the sacraments, we will discuss the following topics: the identity and work of the Spirit, scripture and divine revelation, salvation (justification, sanctification, predestination, freedom), the sacraments as a means of grace, the Lord’s Supper, and Baptism. Readings will range from the early church to modern times.

Theological Hermeneutics, TF 528

Course Description
What is the relationship between biblical hermeneutics and the revelation of the mysterious God? How can scriptural interpretation help us to grow in the knowledge of God? While most academic approaches to scripture focus on the cultural-linguistic history of the text, this course explores exegetical and theological approaches to the question of how scripture can be taught and preached as the “word of God” for the church. Through classical and contemporary readings, this course seeks to put into use strategies for reading biblical texts in ways that nurture the love of God and neighbor in the church.

Calvin’s Theology and Its Critics, TF 568

Course Description
Calvin’s theology is not only central to the Reformed tradition, but continues to be the subject of vigorous theological discussion for theologians and pastors of many Christian traditions. After discussing Calvin’s life and 16th-century context, this course will examine select key theological ideas as found in portions of the Institutes, sermons, commentaries, and The Bondage and Liberation of the Will. The exploration of these themes will be set in a dialectic with prominent criticisms of Calvin’s theology: e.g., whether Calvin’s God is “coercive,” whether Calvin is a “legalist,” whether Calvin opposes the divine and human, and whether Calvin’s sacramental theology “spiritualizes” the sacraments.

TF 580 Theology of the Lord’s Supper

Course Description
The Lord’s Supper is among the most ancient and distinctive practices of the Christian church. In the sharing of the body and blood of Christ through the Spirit, believers taste the coming Kingdom and are called forth into their true identity as Christ’s body in the world. This course explores the biblical and theological dimensions of the Lord’s Supper, with an eye for the renewal of the contemporary church. Readings will draw from various Christian traditions, and will explore the Lord’s Supper in relation to topics such as: biblical foundations for eucharistic theology; the history of eucharistic theology; the implications of the Supper for discipleship and the church’s witness.

TF 582 Theology of Salvation: Communion with God and Justification

Course Description
Theologies of Salvation that focus upon communion with God often begin by reflecting upon the implications of the end: when believers are united to God, participating in Christ’s glorification and transfiguration. Instead of seeing salvation as primarily a matter of forgiveness of sin and guilt, these theologies explore how the creation is restored as believers are brought into increasing communion with God. Yet, how does this biblical and theological theme fit with justification by faith, and God’s forgiveness? This course will use historic and contemporary readings to retrieve the rich biblical theme of salvation as communion with God for the church today; while doing so, we will also explore how this theology relates to justification by faith alone, a key teaching for churches with a Reformational heritage.

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