THEO44030: Doctrine of Creation

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• To familiarise students with the range of ideas and concepts used to articulate the Christian doctrine of creation.
• To survey and evaluate a range of texts focussed on the doctrine of creation from Genesis to contemporary theology and philosophy.
• To illustrate ways of articulating a constructive theology of creation in a contemporary context.

• The eleven topics for this module are as follows:
• Genesis: context and interpretation
• The Philosophy of Nature: Plato and Aristotle
• Creation ex nihilo I: Scriptural Background and the Early Church
• Creation ex nihilo II: Meaning and Contemporary Interpretation
• Thomas Aquinas 1: Creation and Participation
• Thomas Aquinas 2: Providence and Teleology
• Creation and Trinity
• Creation and Christology
• Creation and Natural Science: Design
• Creation and Natural Science: Darwinism and its Interpretation
• Creation and the Environment

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• A sound grasp of the theological and philosophical concepts used to articulate the Christian doctrine of creation;
• Detailed knowledge of select scriptural, patristic, medieval and modern texts focussed on creation;
• Critical appreciation of the history of the relationship between theology, natural science and philosophy in studies of nature;
• Clear comprehension of the relation of the doctrine of creation to other areas of systematic theology (for example, Christology);
• Critical understanding of the implications of the doctrine of creation for belief and practice.

Subject-specific Skills:

• Ability to analyse critically disparate primary texts in theology and philosophy;
• Advanced ability to comprehend and assess complex debates relating to the theology and philosophy of creation;
• Ability to articulate and defend a sustained critical argument in systematic theology.

Key Skills:

• Well developed powers of intellectual discrimination and judgment;
• Ability to conduct independent research and develop knowledge and understanding beyond seminar discussions;
• Clear communication consonant with professional academic standards and practice.

• Seminars enhance subject-specific knowledge and understanding both through preparation and through interaction with students and staff, promoting awareness of different viewpoints and approaches.
• Formative essays develop subject-specific knowledge and understanding, along with skills in the acquisition of information through reading and research, and in the structured presentation of information in written form.
• Formative essays develop skills of critical argumentation, intellectual discernment and defence of a thesis;
• Summative seminar presentation develops skills of oral presentation and defence of a thesis appropriate to professional academic practice and research training.

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