Theology and Religion
Incarnation: Topics in Philosophical Theology
- Overview
- Module description
Incarnation: Topics in Philosophical Theology (THE2185)
| Staff | Dr Jonathan Hill - Convenor |
|---|---|
| Credit Value | 30 |
| ECTS Value | 15 |
| NQF Level | 5 |
| Pre-requisites | None |
| Co-requisites | None |
| Duration of Module | Term 1: 11 weeks; |
Module aims
This option module will:
- Examine the different metaphysical models of incarnation offered by Christian thinkers over the centuries, placing them in their historical context, focusing on the philosophical strengths and weaknesses of each model, and how well they address the problems associated with incarnation whilst remaining true to the doctrine
- Examine the ways in which the doctrine of incarnation relates to other theological themes, such as salvation, eschatology, human nature, and the doctrine of God
- Develop your ability to examine doctrinal statements using the tools of analytical philosophy, and relate those statements to wider theological and philosophical topics
ILO: Module-specific skills
- 1. Understand the major models of incarnation, and the motives behind them
- 2. Understand the major philosophical difficulties with the doctrine of incarnation
- 3. Demonstrate familiarity with the broad history of Christian thinking on the incarnation
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
- 4. Demonstrate understanding of different interpretations of theological doctrines and the arguments
- 5. Use the conceptual tools of philosophical analysis on theological topics
ILO: Personal and key skills
- 6. Shape detailed information into a coherent account, with some guidance
- 7. Demonstrate consistency and rigour in method and argument
- 8. Make thorough use of selected written sources, with some guidance
- 9. Communicate clearly in oral form
Syllabus plan
Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:
- An overview of the key philosophical and doctrinal issues related to the incarnation
- An overview of the history of Christian thinking on the incarnation
- Transformationalist models of the incarnation (and physicalism)
- Logos-sarx models of the incarnation (and dualism)
- Compositionalist models of the incarnation
- Two-mind theories of the incarnation
- Kenotic theories of the incarnation
- Reduplication and relative identity
- Incarnation and atonement
- Incarnation and exaltation
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 278 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 11 | Lectures |
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 11 | Seminars |
| Guided independent study | 278 | Private study |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay plan (for summative assessment) | 200-300 words | 1-8 | Written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 50 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 50 | 3000 words | 1-8 | Written |
| Examination | 50 | 2 hours | 1-8 | Written |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | Essay | 1-8 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Examination | Examination | 1-8 | Referral/Deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
(These are just suggestions. Not everything in each book is relevant, and some are heavy going in places, so feel free to skip/skim.)
- Crisp, O. (2007) Divinity and humanity: the incarnation reconsidered Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
- Davis, S. (1983) Logic and the nature of God London: Macmillan
- Davis, S., Kendall, D., and O’Collins, G., eds. (2002) The incarnation: an interdisciplinary symposium on the incarnation of the son of God Oxford: Oxford University Press
- Evans, C. S. (1996) The historical Christ and the Jesus of faith Oxford: Oxford University Press esp. ch. 6
- Evans, C. S., ed. (2006) Exploring kenotic christology: the self-emptying of God Oxford: Oxford University Press
- Hebblethwaite, Brian (1987) The incarnation: collected essays in christology Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
- Morris, T. (1986) The logic of God incarnate Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press
- O’Collins, Gerald (1995) Christology: a biblical, historical, and systematic study of Jesus Oxford: Oxford University Press esp. ch. 10
- Swinburne, R. (1994) The Christian God Oxford: Clarendon esp. chs. 9-10
- Weinandy, Thomas (1985) Does God change? Still River, MA: St Bede’s
Module has an active ELE page?
Yes
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Available as distance learning?
No
Origin date
25/04/2013
Last revision date
23/02/2022
Key words search
Incarnation, Christology, Philosophical Theology, Philosophy of Religion, History of Doctrine
