MD: 301 - Introduction to Christian Theology II - is an introductory course for the M.Div DEP students for the class of 2024. This subject covers 5 topics: Anthropology, Hamartiology, Soteriology, Ecclesiology and Eschatology. The syllabus and study materials are uploaded here! Students can use the study materials for the personal reading and assignment purposes. 

                                         Course Syllabus 

Course Syllabus

Course Description

This course introduces the learners to various perspectives on understanding work, enabling them to arrive at a sound theology of work. This course helps the learners to comprehend the meaning and values of work (life Skills) which engages from biblical, contextual, integrative, and theological concepts to enhance God-given stewardship and the lifestyle of society at large. Having a theology of work is crucially dynamic for servant influencers who engage in a societal occupation and empower people for the primary arena of their service to God in the world.

Course Objectives

1. Learners will understand the meaning, purpose, values, and perspective of work.
2. Learners will develop skills to critically analyze the different views of work and arrive at a theology of work.
3. Learners will be challenged to engage and apply the principles of works in their own lives and to instill them in their workplace or to serve the Church and society.

Learning Outcomes

1. Learners have developed the right understanding of the meaning and value of work.
2. Learners have the ability to distinguish between work and vocation and formulate a theology of work.
3. Learners apply the principles and values by engaging in work and influencing others as well.

Course Outline

UNIT I: DIFFERENT VIEWS OF WORK

1.     Biblical Meanings of Work & Definitions

2.     Origins and Primitive Understanding of Work

3.     Hindu Views on Work

4.     Other Religions/Beliefs Views of Work

Readings:

1.     Fox, Matthew. The Re-invention of Work, New York: Harper Collins Publishers, 1994, Pp, 64-69.

2.      Gnanakan, Richard. Work in God’s World, Bangalore: TBT, Pp. 13-19; 21-33; 43-50; 101-115.

3.     James, Emmanuel E. A Study of Religion, Bangalore: TBT, Pp. 229-234.

Video: https://youtu.be/fGH5bhUwMB4?t=678

Unit I Assignment: Define the term ‘work.’ Analyze what Hindu and other beliefs view of ‘work.’ Justify your response in what ways did sin affect the concept of work originally planned by God? (2000 words) 

UNIT II: BIBLICAL FOUNDATIONS OF WORK

1.     Old Testament – Creation Model

i). The Doxology of Creation

ii). Mandate Mission and Moral Responsibility

2.     New Testament – Kingdom of God Model

i). Jesus’ View of Work

ii). Pauline’s View of Work – Vocation, Work, and Ministry

3.     Biblical Purposes for Works

4.     Christian Principles Influence - Biblical Ethics and Integrity

Readings:

1.     Stevens, Paul R. Satisfying Work, Colorado: Water Brooks Press, 1989. Pp. 13-22; 34-38; 49-54; 59-69.

2.     Phronesis. “A journal of Asian Theological Seminary,” August 1994. Pp. 14-20; 20-23; 43-52; 79-82.

Video: https://youtu.be/P5vlvOgpySc?t=213

Unit II Assignment: Discuss themes of work in the OT & NT. Analyze Jesus’ principles for work. Integrate workplace issues of women at work into the study by diving into the book of Ruth and its implications (2500 words). 

UNIT III: HISTORY OF ATTITUDES ABOUT WORK

1.     Classic Period: Greeks and Romans; Hebrews, Jews, and Christians

2.     Medieval Period: Secular versus Sacred

3.     Reformation Period, Enlightenment, and Industrial Revolution

4.     Contemporary Reflections on Work

Readings:

1.     Gnanakan, Richard. Work in God’s World, Bangalore: TBT. Pp. 77-98.

2.     Fox, Matthew. The Re-invention of Work, New York: Harper Collins Publishers, 1994. Pp. 91-106

Unit III Assignment: Distinguished the different paradigms of labor history and history of work in historiographical practice. Analyze how the reformation movement changes the course of the workers’ movement. Give your response on attitudes towards work-on-work ethics (2500 words).

UNIT IV: CHRISTIAN MODELS FOR UNDERSTANDING THE MEANING OF WORK

1.     Vocational, Trinitarian, Charismatic, Ontological, and Collaborative Models

2.     Penitential, Creationist, and Eschatological Approach

3.     Theology of Creation, Anthropology, and Incarnation Models

4.     The “Integration Box” Model

Readings:

1.     Douglas Woolley, Theology of Work and Its Practical Implications, Minneapolis, Minnesota: North Central University. 2007. Pp. 222-23.

2.     Stephen Hague, Is Work Working for You? A Biblical Theology of Work & Vocation, Christ and Culture Seminar, Nov 11, 2017. Pp. 1-7.

Unit IV Assignment: Discuss the Dignity of Work and Work as Service. Analyze how God uses work to form our hearts and shape us a better way to work. Justify your answer based on any models, ‘Delegation is one of the leadership qualities in the organizational structure’? (2000 words) 

UNIT V: THEOLOGY OF WORK & IMPLICATIONS

1.     Work in relationship to Christian Living - The Sabbath, the Lord’s Day, Leisure & Spirituality.

2.     Developing Servant Influencers – Work, Worship, Witness

3.     Work Culture in the Workplace – Fulfilling God’s work, Joy, and Satisfaction

4.     Work in the Home – communicating faith and faithfulness in the home, Stewardship of the family (finances, discipline, and relationship)

Readings:

1.     Shaun Abrahams, A Biblical Theology of Work and Creativity, Written for the local Baptist churches in County Kerry, Ireland, 2019/20. Pp. 34-68.

2.     Douglas Woolley, Theology of Work and Its Practical Implications, Minneapolis, Minnesota: North Central University. 2007. Pp. 217-22.

Unit V Assignment: Delineate faith and work as the integration of religious entrepreneurs. Analyze to what extent your workplace is your mission field. Suggest vocational calling that changes your perception of your daily work (2000 words). 

Required Bibliography

Douglas Woolley, Theology of Work and Its Practical Implications, Minneapolis, Minnesota:

North Central University. 2007.

Fox, Matthew. The Re-invention of Work, New York: Harper Collins Publishers, 1994.

Gnanakan, Richard. Work in God’s World, Bangalore: TBT.

James, Emmanuel E. A Study of Religion, Bangalore: TBT.

Phronesis. “A journal of Asian Theological Seminary,” August 1994.

Shaun Abrahams, A Biblical Theology of Work and Creativity, Written for the local Baptist

churches in County Kerry, Ireland, 2019/20.

Stevens, Paul R. Satisfying Work, Colorado: Water Brooks Press, 1989.

Stephen Hague, Is Work Working for You? A Biblical Theology of Work & Vocation, Christ

and Culture Seminar, Nov 11, 2017.

Reference Bibliography

Allen, T. D., & Eby, L. T. The Blackwell Handbook of Mentoring: A Multiple Perspectives

Approach. Chichester: Blackwell Publishing Ltd. 2010.

Bearman, P. S. The social structure of suicide. Sociological Forum, 6(3), 1991. 501-524. Chafer, L. S. Major Bible Themes. Chicago: Moody Publishers. 1926.

Heintzman, P. Leisure and Spirituality, Biblical, Historical and Contemporary Perspectives.

Grand Rapids: Baker Academic. 2015.

Loftin, R. K., & Dimsdale, T. Work Theological Foundations and Practical Implications.

London: SCM Press. 2018.

Murray, S. Church Planting Laying Foundations. Carlisle: Paternoster Press. 1998.

Ryken, L. Work and Leisure in Christian Perspective. Eugene, Oregon: Wipf and Stock

Publishers. 2002.

Seger, P. Senders. How your church can identify, train, and deploy missionaries. 2015.

Verbrugge, V. D., & Krell, K. R. Paul and Money: A Biblical and Theological Analysis of

the Apostle’s Teachings and Practices. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan. 2015.

Web Cited

Oikonomia Network - www.oikonomianetwork.org

Theology of Work Project - www.theologyofwork.org

Work as Worship Network - http://www.workasworshipnetwork.org

Work as Mission - http://www.businessasmission.com/

Christian 9 to 5 - http://www.christianity9to5.org/

Creativity and the Value of Work.

https://thirdmill.org/newfiles/udo_middelman/udo_middelman.work.html.