Institute for Leadership in Ministry
Diocese of San Jose

Christology: Jesus Christ and His Followers

Wednesday Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27, 2016

Instructor:Robert Lassalle-Klein, Ph.D., M.S.W., S.T.L., Lic. Phil., M.A.

Email:

Telephone: 510-206-4904

Office hours: 7:00-7:30 before class

Course Description

This course introduces students to the historical development of Christian faith in Jesus Christand the relevance of those traditions for ministry in a culturally diverse Catholic Church. Week one begins with an examination of the sources and methods for Christology with a special focus on biblical scholarship and historical research on Jesus as a source for contemporary Catholic Christology. Week twofocuseson the historical reality of Jesus, his message and ministry, and the movement that gathered around him,situating each in the context of first century Judaism and the Roman occupation of Palestine. Week threeconsidersthe New Testament witness to thedeath and resurrection of Jesus and to faith in him as the Christ among the various New Testament communities. Week four thenstudiesimportant Christian creeds and doctrines from the Patristic era about Jesus Christ as norms for faith in Jesus Christ in a Greek-Roman world.The course then concludes with a consideration of the call for all Christians and the Church itself (though not exclusively) to embody the ministry, message, and historical reality of Jesus Christ today.

Learning Goals and Objectives:

  1. GOAL #1: Students will deepen their knowledge and appreciation for the historical development of Christian faith in Jesus Christ and the relevance of those traditions for intercultural ministry in the Catholic Church.
  2. GOAL #2: Students will advance in their ability to read and interpret the central New Testament and creedal monuments of Christian faith in Jesus Christ;
  3. GOAL #3: Students will begin to learn to utilize social scientific studies in reconstructing the social world of Jesus and his followers (including the times of the aforementioned monuments of Christian faith);
  4. GOAL #4: Students will begin to learn how to utilize the Christological faith of the Church to lead theological reflection in their ministries.

Books:

Rausch, Thomas P. Who Is Jesus? In Introduction to Christology. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press/ Michael Glazier, 2003. ISBN 0-8146-5078-3

Course Expectations and Methods of Evaluation:

  1. Attendance: Students are expected to attend every class session and to read the assigned material.
  2. In class discussion: Class participation entails active engagement in class discussions. This involves preparing the readings, asking questions, making frequent contributions in the small groups.
  3. Short Paper:

Students will write a two page(or more) paperreflecting on topics related to the major themes from the course. Papers should be typed, in 12-point type with one-inch margins. They should be checked for spelling and grammar and must include citations and references to the readings. Further information will be provided in class and on Sitekreator regarding these papers.

Syllabus of Classes

Jan. 6 (#1)Reviewingthe Sources: Starting Points, Methods,Quests, and the Historical Reality of Jesus

Rausch, Who Is Jesus? 1-40

Jan 13(#2) DiscoveringJesus and the Kingdom of God: Jewishness, Movement, Preaching & Ministry

Rausch, Who Is Jesus? 41-93

Jan. 20(#3)Embracing the Faith of the Jesus Movement and the Early Church: Death, Resurrection, New Testament Witness

Rausch, Who Is Jesus? 95-146

Jan. 27(#4)Continuing His Mission: The Historical Reality of Sin and Grace Today

Rausch, Who Is Jesus? 147-204