Sub-Faculty of Theology

Unit Specification: THEO 244

Unit Code: THEO 244	Unit Name: Church : A Communion of Believers
Committed Student Hours per week: 10-12
Pre-requisite units: Introduction to Theology; The World and Literature of the Bible
Co-requisite units: Nil
Unit Leader: Associate Professor Gideon Goosen

CLICK ON ANY OF THE MODULES LISTED BELOW TO GO TO THAT MODULE Topic/Modules: Module 1: The Church in the Old Testament. Module 2: The Church in the New Testament. Module 3: A Survey of the History of Ecclesiology. Module 4: Theology of the Church (Part 1). Module 5: Theology of the Church (Part 2) Module 6: Schism and Reformation. Module 7: Church Unity. Module 8: Mission. Module 9: Social Justice. Module 10: Ministries in the Church Module 11: Mary and the Church Module 12: The Church in Australia

CLICK ON ANY OF THE ABOVE MODULES TO GO TO THAT MODULE

Assessment:
Item No.	% Weighting	Details	Due Dates
1	40%	Assignment 1
2	60%	Assignment 2
Unit Rationale

Welcome to this unit which focuses on the Church. Having done the previous units which introduced you to the main concepts and meaning of what theology is (God talk, or reflections on life in the light of Christian faith), and then examined the very ancient and different world of the Bible and the nature of biblical material, you are ready to look at the comunity of people who call themselves Christians (the church).

This unit is called "Church A Communion of Believers". The title needs explaining.

First of all, be careful about the way the word "church " is used. It can have many meanings. It can mean:

- all baptised Christians (Anglicans, Catholics, Baptists, etc)

- Roman Catholics only

- the Roman Catholic hierarchy (Pope,bishops,priests)

- all members of the Catholic Church (bishops, priests, laity, religious)

The unit uses the word "church" in a variety of ways. You must work out from the context which meaning is implied or stated. The title of the unit uses "church " in both the sense of the Roman Catholic Church and the Christian church at large. To see the church as a "communion of believers" is one way of understanding it. It happens to be a way that is very popular today and it will be discussed in much more detail later on in Module 5 although different "models" of church are referred to from from Module 1. (A "model" is an image or metaphor used to explain some dimension of the church.).

The origin of the Christian Church lies in the Old and New Testaments and since those days the Church has been growing, changing and developing right up to the third millennium.

The unit examines the basis of ecclesiology in the Bible and then studies the theology of church as it has developed over the centuries. Although the focus is on the Catholic Church much is relevant to the Christian church in general and hence the use of material from the World Council of Churches. Because history has played such a important role in the development of ecclesiology and in the distortion of many aspects of ecclesiology, a certain amount of history is included in this unit, e.g the modules on the East-West Schism, Reformation, Christian Unity and the survey on the history of ecclesiology. It is of the nature of the church to be missionary and hence modules on mission and how it is applied through ministries. Likewise the church is called to pursue justice as is evident in the Gospels. The role of Mary and the church is a important one given the prominence of mariology in both the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Churches - hence a module address this dimension of church. Lastly the church although universal, is encountered locally in people’s lives and hence the necessity to examine the Christian church in Australia.

Unit Readings

It should be remembered that many readings may be taken from books as opposed to journals. This means that the reader is at a slight disadvantage in so far as there may be references to other chapters which the reader obviously does not have. There will also be concepts that have been developed in other chapters which are not available. To some extent, and in some cases, the meaning of the chapter that one does have, might be somewhat less clear because one has not read the other chapters.

Nevertheless, if one accepts these limitations, individual chapters can teach us much and therefore we have used them. The notes in you Study Guide will help to introduce and situated the readings, but they cannot go into all the details without becoming yet another book!

Articles form journals are written as independent pieces of writing and therefore do not normally suffers from these limitations.

The modules are different in their perspectives as regards the disciplines from which they come. For example, some modules are very biblical in perspective (Module 1 and 2) ; others historical (Module 2, 6) others theological (Module 4 and 5, 7, 8, 9 10). Module 7 is both historical and theological. Module 12 on the other hand is heavily sociological. It is well to be aware of these differences so that it is easy to recognize the difference between, for example, a theological and sociological statement about the church. Truth is to be found in all disciplines and each has something to contribute to the total picture. Some modules are more Roman Catholic in orientation (Module 11 on Mariology) and others again very ecumenical (Module 12, the Christian Church in Australia).

Note the way the readings and the exercises are numbered.

Reading "6.2" refers to Module 6, reading 2.

Exercise question "9.3.5" refers to Module 9, reading 3 and question 5.

The readings are accompanied by a series of questions which are designed to assist you:

· to understand theological terms and concepts which pertain to ecclesiology,

· to engage in the analysis and exploration of new insights;

· to identify the questions which are relevant for you at this stage of your study;

· to demonstrate skills in independent theological reflection and

· to examine the implications of certain contemporary questions.

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

· reflect theologically and historically on the nature of church;

· articulate their understanding of the theology of church from a biblical viewpoint;

· outline the historical development of ecclesiology;

· explain the main features of a theology of church;

· analyse the theological concept of koinonia;

· articulate the main themes and events associated with the major divisions within Christianity and the rise of ecumenism this century.

· outline the theology of Christian mission and ministries;

· identify the main features of mariology past and present;

· describe the Australian Christian profile statistically, analyse some of the characteristics of Christianity in Australia, and suggest possible implications for the churches.

Study Guides

The Guide is a separate book and consists of the introduction to each module with the Objectives of each module clearly set out and then an Introduction to the readings. Some of these introductions consist of three or four pages, others seven or eight. The differences in length depends on how much content is covered in the module and how much introduction the readings need. Some need very little, others need a more lengthy explanation. Some introductions to modules cover points that are not in any of the readings (e.g. the hierarchical nature of the church is not in any reading hence it is covered in the Study Guide in Module 5) .

References

All the information you need for successfully completing this unit are contained in the book of readings and in the Study Guide. You do not need to consult any other books or articles. This is done to ensure that students who live at a great distance from any theological library are not disadvantaged. However, feel free to read wider if you wish. You will notice that many modules make mention of books on the topic under discussion. Read these in full if you wish and if you can get a copy. You may also consult with your tutor for further readings if you wish. The assignments will be set with your Book of Readings and Study Guide in mind.

The following schedule shows the main details of this subject.

Details should be contained in the unit outline. Note that readings, text references, residentials and teleconferencing details may be included in the Events and Submissions column. Depending on Divisional policy, this information may be presented as:

· a list of content areas and/or topics;

· a week by week schedule.

For the latter a proforma weekly study schedule is provided.

Week Beginning	Topic	Events, Submissions & Reading
1	Unit Introduction Module 1	Readings 1.1; 1.2
2	Module 2	Readings 2.1
3	Module 3	Readings 3.1
4	Module 4	Readings 4.1; 4.2
5	Module 5	Readings 5.1;5.2;5.3;5.4
6	Module 6	Readings 6.1;6.2;6.3
7	Break
8	Module 7	Readings 7.1; 7.2; 7.3 Assignment 1
9	Module 8	Readings 8.1; 8.2; 8.3
10	Module 9	Readings 9.1; 9.2; 9.3
11	Module 10	Readings 10.1; 10.2; 10.3; 10.4
12	Module 11	Readings 11.1; 11.2; 11.3
13	Module 12	Readings 12.1; 12.2; 12.3
14		Assignment 2

 

There are two tasks for assessment in this unit. Both are essay-type assignments. Details of each of these tasks are set out on the following pages.

Assignment Presentation:

It is important that you follow the directions as outlined in the "Style Guide for Assignments" which is included in your Unit Introduction.

Assignment 1

Due Date:

Percentage of unit grade: 40%

Task one is related to modules 1 to 5 of this unit. You will be required to write a 1,500 word paper on ONE of the topics listed later in this booklet. Please see Assignment 1 for details.

Criteria for assessment:

· evidence of required reading;

· comprehension and accurate exposition of relevant content material;

· examination and evaluation of key concepts;

· logical and coherent line of argumentation;

· reflection upon content in the light of personal experience where relevant;

· ability to express yourself in your own words.

Assignment 2

Due date:

Percentage of unit grade: 60%

You will be required to critically reflect on modules 6-12. Please see Assignment 2 for details.

Criteria for Assessment:

Same as for assignment 1.

Assignment preparation

Following are guidelines for the submission of assignments:

· Type or write your assignment clearly.

· Use size A4 paper and leave at least a 3 cm margin. (This is the best format for both marking and photocopying).

· Make a duplicate copy of each assignment. This overcomes any problems should your assignment ever be lost in transit even though this rarely happens.

· Number each page of the assignment.

Assignment grading

A mark will be recorded in the front of the Assignment Cover of all assignments which have been assessed. All assignments and other assessable work must be submitted before a final grade can be issued.

Please note that according to the Academic Regulations, assignments are to be graded according to the following scale:

Codes Percentage Range

High Distinction HD 90-100

Distinction DI 80-89

Credit CR 66-79

Pass PA 50-65

Pass Conceded PC

Fail NN 0-49

Assignment extensions

Please note the relevant Academic Regulations for extension of an assignment.

You may apply to the lecturer-in-charge for an extension to the submission date of an assignment. Requests for extension are to be made on the appropriate form on or before the due date for submission. (Academic Regulation 4.4.1).

Normal occupational commitments and extra-curricular activities will not be accepted as grounds for granting extra time as you are expected to plan ahead.

Extensions are not usually granted where requests are received on or after the due date for submission of an assignment.

Assignments submitted after the due date or extended date will incur a 20% penalty of the maximum marks available for that assignment. Assignments received more than one week after the due date or extended date will not be allocated a mark. (Academic Regulations 4.4.2).

Due Date:

Weighting: 40%

Length: 1500 words

The first assignment is directed at the material in modules 1 to 5.

Discuss ONE of the following statements in the light of your reading.

Making use of the readings in modules 1-5 discuss the history, meaning and value of seeing the church as koinonia today. It is important to use your own words as far as possible and not simply copy from the readings.

or

Explain what a model is and then discuss how different models of the church have been more or less popular at different times in the history of ecclesiology. Draw on the readings fom modules 1-5.

NB. You should follow the style guide given to you in the course materials in presenting your assignments.

Due Date:

Weighting: 60%

Length: 2000 words

The second assignment is directed at material contained in modules 6-12. . The aim of the assignment is to provide you with an opportunity to critically evaluate and synthesise the isssues raised in these units. It is worth 60 marks.

Choose ONE of the following:

Discuss why Christians should become involved in ministries, be they associated with the liturgy, social justice, ecumenism or research into the church in Australia.

or

Why should Christians be concerned to restore Christian unity today? Show how the composition of the Christian churches in Australia might influence ecumenism and discuss what you think are the main obstacles to ecumenism in Australia? (prefer to your readings where possible and appropriate)  

NB. You should follow the style guide given to you in the course materials in presenting your assignments.

Your lecturer and tutors will make comments on your assignments to suggest how your work could be improved. They would be able to make more effective comments if they know something of your background.

Consequently, you may wish to write a short letter to your lecturer. Give relevant information about yourself under the following headings and return it with your first assignment:

· age;

· previous studies;

· work experience;

· present employment;

· reason for studying the course;

· personal disabilities or study problems;

· any other information that may be useful in commenting on your assignment work.

Please return the following necessary information with your first assignment.

Name: ________________________________________ Unit No: ____________

Address: ____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Phone: Home: ________________________ Work: _______________________

Date: ______________________________________

 

Personal Details:

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