Course Summary

This unit introduces students to a critical analysis of the Church in its historical realization and examines its past and present reality through the horizon of the kingdom of God. It is an advanced unit and may form part of a Major in the sub-discipline of Systematic Theology within the Discipline of Theology.

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Learning Outcomes

At the end of this unit students will be able to:

At the end of this unit students will be able to:

1. Identify the Church’s theological self-understanding at different moments in history

2. Present a coherent biblical and theological understanding of the nature and mission of the Church

3. Analyse recent writing in ecclesiology

4. Develop a coherent response to challenges confronting the church in their context

5. Apply fundamental principles of ecclesiology to contemporary pastoral situations

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Course Content

1. Challenges for the Church

2. The Church as the subject and object of theological reflection

3. The kingdom of God and the Church

4. Critical analysis of ecclesiology through history

5. Biblical and theological analysis of the nature and mission of the Church

6. The forms and exercises of ministry in the Church

7. The unity of the church as an ecumenical imperative