About this Course

This course continues the study of Christian doctrines begun in Theology 1: God and Creation (TS211). It looks at the outworking of God’s redemptive purposes through the Son and Spirit in the church and world. The doctrinal loci will cover: the persons and missions of Christ and His Spirit (Christology & Pneumatology), Salvation (Soteriology), the Church (Ecclesiology), and the Last Things (Eschatology). Tutorials and off-site readings will focus on engagement with and understanding of primary sources.

As a blended learning course, TS212 is made up of a total of 13 sessions, of which 7 will be ‘live’. During the live sessions, students will meet for topical lectures, communal reading of source materials, culminating in group presentations on selected theological topics. During the other 6 sessions, students will learn from online lectures, podcasts or videos, readings and completing assignments online. A detailed breakdown of the topics, lectures, tutorials and assignments is given below.

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Instructor

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
    (with Blended Learning)

  • Dates 2024

    (Tuesdays)
    Jan: 20
    Feb: 3, 17
    Mar: 3, 17
    Apr: 14
    May: 3 (Sat 9:30-12:30)

    Closing date for registration:
    Jan 17, 2025

  • Time

    7:15–10:00PM

Course Curriculum

  • 1

    General

  • 2

    Session 1: Introduction

    • Introductory Session

    • Introduction Slides

    • James Torrance, “Contemplating the Trinitarian Mystery of Christ.”

    • Christopher Hall, "What is the 'Mystery of God'?" (optional, 5 mins)

    • Christopher Hall, "What Do You Mean by Mystery?" (optional, 3 mins)

    • Christopher Hall, "Mystery Between Rationalism and Irrationalism." (optional, 6 mins)

    • Christopher Hall, "'The Mystery of God' in the Classroom and Beyond" (optional, 3 mins).
  • 3

    Session 2: The Person of Christ

    • The Person of Christ

    • Lecture 2: The Person of Christ (video)

    • Lecture 2 Slides

    • Lecture 2 Notes

    • Richard Norris, “The Controversies Leading Up to the Council of Chalcedon."

    • Paul Tillich, “Valuation of the Christological Dogma."
  • 4

    Session 3: The Work of Christ, pt. 1, His Life

    • The Life of Christ

    • Lecture 3 slides

    • Lecture 3 notes

    • John Calvin, “Three Things Chiefly to be Regarded in Christ – viz. His Offices of Prophet, King, and Priest.”

    • Todd Billings, “Excursus: Ursinus on Participation in the One True Prophet, Priest, and King.”
  • 5

    Session 4: The Work of Christ, pt. 2. His Death

    • The Work of Christ: His Death

    • Lecture 4 Slides

    • Thomas Aquinas, “The Efficiency of Christ’s Passion."

    • Panayiotis Nellas, “The Presuppositions of the Spiritual Life: Salvation in Christ.”
  • 6

    Session 5: Person of the Holy Spirit

    • God the Holy Spirit: His Person

    • Lecture 5, "Person of the Holy Spirit."

    • Lecture 5 Slides

    • Extracts from the Cappadocian Fathers (Basil & the two Gregories)

    • Yves Congar, “The Holy Spirit and our Prayer."

  • 7

    Session 6: Work of the Holy Spirit

    • God the Holy Spirit: His Work

    • Lecture 6: Work of the Holy Spirit

    • Lecture 6 Slides

    • Lecture 6 Notes

    • John Owen, chs. 3 & 4, in "The Works of John Owen."

    • Jurgen Moltmann, “Trinitarian Experience of the Spirit."

    • Jonathan Edwards, 'Treatise on Grace" (Optional)
  • 8

    Session 7: Salvation, pt. 1, Union with Christ

    • Salvation: Union with Christ

    • Lecture 7 Slides

    • Lecture 7 Notes

    • Augustus Strong, “Union with Christ.”

    • Todd Billings, "Ministry in Union with Christ."
  • 9

    Session 8: Salvation, pt. 2, Justification & Adoption

    • Salvation: Justification & Adoption

    • Lecture 8 pt. 1, "Justification"

    • Lecture 8 pt. 2, "Adoption"

    • Lecture 8 pt. 1: Slides on Justification

    • Lecture 8, pt. 2 - Slides on Adoption

    • Lecture 8 Notes

    • Thomas Winger, "Simul Justus et Peccator."

    • Karl Rahner, “Justified and Sinner at the Same Time."
  • 10

    Session 9: Salvation, pt. 3, Regeneration & Sanctification

    • Salvation: Regeneration & Sanctification

    • Lecture 9, "Sanctification"

    • Lecture 9 Slides

    • Lecture 9 Notes

    • John Wesley, "Christian Perfection."

    • John Calvin, “Our Regeneration by Faith: Repentance."
  • 11

    Session 10: The Church, pt. 1, Its Nature

    • The Nature of the Church

    • George Hunsinger, “Salvation by Grace through Faith” (1 hr 31 mins)

    • Vladimir Lossky, “Two Aspects of the Church."

    • John Zizioulas, “Christ, the Spirit, and the Church."
  • 12

    Session 11: The Church, pt. 2, Its Sacraments

    • Sacraments of the Church

    • Lecture 11 Pt 1: The Sacraments

    • Lecture 11 Pt 2

    • Lecture 11 Pt 3

    • Lecture 11 Pt 4

    • Lecture 11 Pt 5

    • Lecture 11 Pt 6

    • Lecture 11 Pt 7

    • Lecture 11 Pt 8

    • Lecture 11 Pt 9

    • Lecture 11 Pt 10

    • Lecture 11 slides

    • Huldrych Zwingli, “On the Lord’s Supper.”
  • 13

    Session 12: The Last Things, pt. 1

    • The Last Things, pt. 1

    • David Bentley Hart, “Eschatology” (6 mins)

    • N.T. Wright, “On the Future of the World” (1 hr 5 mins)

    • Karl Rahner, “Eschatology.”

    • Jonathan Edwards, “Heaven is a World of Love.”

  • 14

    Session 13: The Last Things, pt. 2

    • The Last Things, pt. 2

    •  Richard Bauckham, “Jurgen Moltmann: Theology of Hope” (11 mins)

    • Jurgen Moltmann, “On the End Times and Dispensationalism” (4 mins)

    • Jurgen Moltmann, “Restoration of all Things” (8 mins)

    • Jurgen Moltmann & Miroslav Volf, “Theology of Joy” (26 mins)

    • Wolfhart Pannenberg, “Judgment and the Return of Christ."

    • Edwards, sermon no. 344, “Rev. 14.2: Thanksgiving Sermon” (Nov. 1734)

    • Course evaluation

  • 15

    Course Evaluation

    • Course Evaluation
  • 16

    Assignment Submission

    • Course Assignment Policies

    • General formatting for assignments

    • 40%. EM – Final Essay (3,500 words)

    • 20%. RC – Book Review (1,500 words)

    • 25% IP-Intergrative Reflection Paper