Thinking About God--1/2 Credit

Discussion Topics and Readings for the first quarter:

Except where otherwise noted, readings are from Robert Farrar Capon, Hunting the Divine Fox: An Introduction to the Language of Theology:

Papers:

I. (Overnight, 10 points for content) We have brainstormed some words we would associate with the term "God" in class. Preparatory to an attempt to write a definition of the term in class, write down your own sense of what you mean by the word "God," and consider what problems your definition might involve.

II. (One week, 30 points for content, 20 points for mechanics & style) Write a typed double-spaced reflection paper on one of these two topics.

A. The Trinitarian Flashlight.
On page 21, Capon notes that the whole Trinity is involved in Creation. In fact, Christian theologians hold that we can't even distinguish different roles for the three persons of the Trinity in the process of creation. Typically, though, Capon ignores that fine point and, starting on page 22, goes on to try to describe human nature in the light of the Second Person of the Trinity, considered as God the Word. Capon says that one could also describe human nature in light of God the Father or God the Holy Spirit, but he doesn't actually do so. State briefly some distinctive characteristics of the Father or the Holy Spirit, and then show what we can understand about human nature in light of that person of the Trinity. Your paper will parallel what Capon does on page 22 through 26, but you do not need to include an example like the one Capon gives on pages 24 and 25.
B. The Image of Romance.
Capon uses the image of romantic love to describe God's relation to human persons, beginning on page 38. it is clear that this image has the support of scripture, from the book of Hosea and the Song of Songs through to Revelation. It is also clear that both Jewish and Christian theologians have used this image and that marriage ceremonies still refer to it. Despite all that scripture and tradition, however, most of the class found the image uncomfortable (and Capon apparently expects it to startle most of his readers). Some theologians would suggest that part of the problem is that the image always pictures God as the husband and humanity as the wife (even though other images in the Bible and tradition picture God with female images). How would the image of romantic love be different if God were pictured as the wife and humanity as the husband? Would the resulting image be more or less comfortable than the traditional one?

III . (One week, 30 points for content, 20 points for mechanics & style) Write a typed double-spaced reflection paper on the following topic.

Capon's idea of salvation is pretty clearly Universalist, in that he seems to think that God intends to save everyone. At the same time, he sees salvation as taking place through the Incarnation. America is even more religiously diverse now than it was when Capon wrote. Do you think it is more consistent and effective for Christian theology to hold: (a) that only some persons are saved, and that that salvation comes through Jesus; (b) that all persons are saved through Jesus; (c) that only some persons are saved, and some of those are saved through Jesus; (d) that all persons are saved, and some of those are saved through Jesus. Note that this essay doesn't depend on whether you yourself agree with Christianity--the question is simply which option you think makes the most sense for Christianity.