Course Description

As an introductory course on Christian theology, the content of our faith will be understood in the context of “the one, holy, catholic (i.e. universal), and apostolic church” as confessed in the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed (A.D. 381).

The lectures will follow the overall Trinitarian structure of the Creed, and where applicable, read in light of the Protestant-Reformation heritage. Weekly sessions will involve reading, reflection & response (as well as discussion during live sessions) to topical readings, both primary and secondary.

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Lecturer

Dr Tan Seng Kong

Lecturer in Systematic and Spiritual Theology

Dr Tan Seng Kong is BGST's Head for Technology and Resources, and a Lecturer in Systematic and Spiritual Theology. A graduate from Regent College, Vancouver (MA, Spiritual Theology). Seng Kong completed his PhD in Systematic Theology at Princeton Theological Seminary, where he focused his research on Jonathan Edwards' Doctrine of Salvation. Seng Kong was formerly an architect. He currently serves at Bethel Assembly of God. When he isn’t preoccupied with theological materials, he dabbles with indoor gardening, watches Korean media with his wife and eats Indian food with his son.

  • Location

    Online via Zoom (Live)
    with Blended Learning

  • Dates

    (Monday)
    July: 10, 24
    Aug: 7, 21
    Sep: 4, 18
    Oct: 2

    Registration Close Date
    Jul 5, 2023

  • Time

    7:15pm–10:00pm

Course Curriculum

  • 1

    General

  • 2

    1. Introduction

    • Introduction

    • Zoom Lecture 1 - Introduction

    • Lecture 1 Slides

    • Lecture 1, Part 1

    • Lecture 1, Part 2

    • Lecture 1, Part 3

    • Lecture 1, Part 4

    • Lecture 1 MCQ

    • Statement of Faith 1: Apostles' Creed (background & full text)

    • Reading 1a: Experience makes a Theologian

    • Reading 1b: Luther on Vocation
  • 3

    2. The Living God: Divine Unity and Attributes

    • Introduction

    • Lecture 2 pt 1 [PW: tsgb3]

    • Lecture 2 pt 2

    • Lecture 2 pt 3

    • Lecture 2 Slides

    • Lecture 2 MCQ

    • Statement of Faith 2: Westminster Confession of Faith (background & full text)

    • Reading 2a: Does God Suffer? - Thomas Weinandy

    • Reading 2b: Undying Love - Todd Billings

    • Optional: The Story Behind 'Rejoicing in Lament' - Todd Billings

    • Optional: 'My Incurable Condition: How to Pray for Someone with a Terminal Diagnosis' -T Billings
  • 4

    3. The Living God: God the Trinity

    • Introduction

    • Lecture 3 - The Holy Trinity (Zoom recording, 24 Jul 2023)

    • Lecture 3 - Trinity Slides (latest)

    • Lecture 3, Part 1

    • Lecture 3, Part 2

    • God the Trinity Lecture Slides

    • Lecture 3 MCQ

    • Statement of Faith 3: The Athanasian Creed (background & full document)

    • Reading 3a: Sermon 55 (On the Trinity) - John Wesley

    • Reading 3b: Harrower, "A Trinitarian Doctrine of Christian Vocation."

    • SK Tan, "Trinity in the Early Christianity" (Ethos Annual Conference 2021) [optional]
  • 5

    4. Divine Creation, Preservation, & Providence

    • Introduction

    • Lecture 4, Part 1

    • Lecture 4, Part 2

    • Lecture 4 Slides

    • Lecture 4 MCQ

    • Catechism of the Catholic Church

    • Work and Meaning
  • 6

    5. God the Son: Humanity & Sin

    • Introduction

    • Lecture 5 - Humanity & Sin

    • Lecture 5 Slides

    • Lecture 5, Part 1

    • Lecture 5, Part 2

    • Lecture MCQ Questions 5

    • Statement of Faith 5a: The Council of Orange

    • Statement of Faith 5b: The Augsburg Confession

    • Reading 5: The Imago Dei as Vocation
  • 7

    6.God the Son: The Identity of Christ

    • Introduction

    • Lecture 6, Part 1

    • Lecture 6, Part 2

    • Lecture 6, Part 3

    • Lecture 6, Part 4

    • Lecture 6, Part 5

    • Lecture 6 Slides

    • Lecture MCQ Questions 6

    • Statement of Faith 6: The Council of Chalcedon

    • Reading 6a: The Excellency of Christ

    • 6b: Performing Christ

  • 8

    7. God the Son: The Mission of Christ

    • Introduction

    • Lecture 7 - Mission of Christ

    • Lecture 7 Slides

    • Lecture 7, Part 1

    • Lecture 7, Part 2

    • Lecture MCQ Questions 7

    • Statement of Faith 7: The Nicene Creed

    • Reading 7a: Christ's Sacrifice

    • Reading 7b: On the Incarnation of the Word

    • Reading 7c: Following Jesus in a Globalized Marketplace
  • 9

    8. God the Son: His Ongoing Ministry

    • Introduction

    • Lecture 8.1: Prayer as Communion - Participating by Grace in the Triune Life of God

    • Lecture 8.2: Prayer and the Priesthood of Christ, pt 1

    • Lecture 8.3: Prayer and the Priesthood of Christ, pt 2

    • Statement of Faith 8: The Augsburg Confession, Art. 4, Justification

    • Reading 8a: The Sole Priesthood of Christ

    • Reading 8b: Going Deep

    • James Torrance, "Prayer and the Triune God of Grace" (optional, external links)
  • 10

    9. God the Holy Spirit: The Identity of the Holy Spirit

    • Introduction

    • Lecture 9 - Identity of the Holy Spirit

    • Lecture 9 Slides

    • Lecture 9, Part 1

    • Lecture 9, Part 2

    • Lecture Slides

    • Lecture MCQ Questions

    • Statement of Faith 9: The Nicene Creed (381 AD)

    • Reading 9a: On the Holy Spirit

    • Reading 9b: Analyzing and Understanding the Faith at Work Movement

  • 11

    10. Mission of the Holy Spirit

    • Introduction

    • Lecture 10, Part 1

    • Lecture 10, Part 2

    • Lecture 10, Part 3

    • Lecture Slides

    • Lecture MCQ Questions

    • Wesley, "The Repentance of Believers" (1767)

    • Stortz, "Purpose-Driven or Spirit-Led: A Spirituality of Work or the Work of the Spirit?"
  • 12

    11. The Church: Its Work & the Sacraments

    • Introduction

    • Student Presentations (18 Sep 2023)

    • Lecture 11.1, Part 1

    • Lecture 11.1, Part 2

    • Lecture 11.1 Part 3

    • Lecture 11.2, Part 1

    • Lecture 11.2, Part 2

    • Lecture 11.2, Part 3

    • Lecture 11.3, Part 1

    • Lecture 11.3, Part 2

    • Lecture 11.3, Part 3

    • Lecture 11.1 Slides

    • Lecture 11.2 Slides

    • Lecture 11.3 Slides

    • Optional Video Links

    • Lecture MCQ Questions

    • Statement of Faith 11a: The Second Helvetic Confession (background & full text)

    • Statement of Faith 11b: Eucharistic Doctrine (ARCIC)

    • Reading 11: Mass, Mission & Eucharistic Living
  • 13

    12. The Nature of the Church

    • Introduction

    • Video: On Ecclesiology (Greg Peters)

    • Video: The Nature and Purpose of the Church (Greg Peters)

    • Statement of Faith 12: Unity Statement Revised

    • Reading 12: Toward a Marketplace Missiology
  • 14

    13. The Last Things

    • Introduction

    • Student Presentations, pt. 3

    • Video: Cosmic and Individual Eschatology (Mark Saucy)

    • Video: The Kingdom of God (Mark Saucy)

    • Statement of Faith 13b: Eschatology—The Doctrine of Last Things (PCUSA)

    • Statement of Faith 13a: The Westminster Confession of Faith, Art. 32 & 33

    • Reading 13c: Marketplace and Missional Church
  • 15

    Evaluation

    • Course Evaluation Form
  • 16

    Assignment Submission

    • Book Chapter Review (15% of Course Grade)

    • Integration Paper (20%)

    • Final Essay (40%)