Northern Luzon Adventist College

Artacho, Sison, Pangasinan

School of Theology

COURSE OUTLINE
SY 2021-2022

Course Title: THTH3- 331 Systematic Theology I

Credit Units: 3
Class Schedule: 2-3 pm, TTh
Professor: Lowel J. Domocmat, MA-R, MMin, ABTh (PhD candidate)
Consultation hours: 10:30 – 11:30 am, MW (virtual)

§ NLAC Mission and Vision Statements:

The Northern Luzon Adventist College exists to nurture students in the Christian way of life and to
prepare them to become servant-leaders who are competent, committed and consecrated to the
service of God and humanity.

Center of quality Adventist Christian education responsive to global needs.

§ School of Theology Mission and Vision Statements:

The Theology Program trains students who felt God’s call into the Gospel Ministry to become
consecrated servant leaders preparing people for the soon coming of Jesus Christ.

Envisions to be a center of pastoral-theological education devoted to excellence.

§ School of Theology Objectives:

1. Produces graduates faithful to the authority of the Scriptures as the rule of faith and practice
and the prophetic authority of the Spirit of Prophecy.
2. Develops consecrated and competent ministerial workers passionately involved in the mission
of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
3. Molds students to a life of faith, prayer, devotional study of the Bible, and worship of God.
4. Conducts responsible research contributing to the nurture and mission of the Church.
5. Instills the necessity of further studies to meet the challenging demands of the mission field.

A. COURSE DESCRIPTION
An overview of the development and systematization of basic biblical doctrines with emphasis on
the doctrines of God, Christ, and salvation, including methods in doing theology. Prerequisite – any
course that deals on the SDA Fundamental beliefs.

B. COURSE OBJECTIVES
At the end of the course, the students are expected to:
1. Sketch the development of Christian thoughts and doctrines
2. Develop the skill of theological evaluative thinking
3. Recognize the value of faith seeking understanding

C. COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1. Evaluations. Every student must get a minimum of 50% of the total assessments given to pass this
course (e.g., quizzes, assignments, reports, and exams)

2. Book Readings. Every student is required to read the following books:

 a. Thinking Theologically edited by Eric D. Barreto [can buy a kindle book ($ 10.99)
(https://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Theologically-Foundations-Learning-Barreto-
ebook/dp/B00PD0LBYQ/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=)]
b. Chosen and Free: Predestination of Arminius and Wesley by Lowel J. Domocmat

§ INSTRUCTION: see the Addendum B of this course outline

3. Article Readings. Each student will read and provide theological reactions on the following two
articles:
a. “An Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine,” by Jaroslav Pelikan
b. “The Role of the Statement of Beliefs and Creeds,” by Kwabena Donkor

§ INSTRUCTION: see the Addendum C of this course outline

4. Deadlines of Requirements. The deadlines of course requirements are indicated below.

a. Article readings:
i. “An Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine” - September 16, 2021
ii. “The role of the Statement of Beliefs and Creeds” – September 30, 2021

b. Book readings:
i. Thinking Theologically – October 29, 2021
ii. Chosen and Free – December 3, 2021

5. Academic Honesty. It is the policy of this subject that students should exercise intellectual
honesty. Cheating during evaluations and plagiarism in writing papers are serious offenses that
have corresponding school disciplines. A plagiarized project is rejected, and students who do
such offense receive no point in that particular project/s, leading to failing grades.

D. VIRTUAL CLASSROOM POLICIES

1. Classroom Courtesy. Students are expected to ask questions, comment, and discuss with the
professor and fellow students. But these must always be done in the spirit of Christian inquiry
and courtesy. Any derogatory words uttered must be dealt with accordingly.

2. Order and Discipline. Every student is highly expected to conduct oneself in the virtual
classroom as a mature and disciplined individual. It is manifested but not limited to the
following:

a. Wearing of descent clothes

b. Honesty during quizzes and exams
c. Sober conversations
i. Speaking after permission
ii. Courteous addresses

3. Attendance. Students are expected to be in regular attendance and on time for the virtual class.
Attendance is checked through viva voce or a print screen of the class. It is recorded under the
performance tasks.

4. Excused Absences. Depending upon the discretion of the professor, excused absences are only in
cases of “emergencies.” Further, without any pre-arrangement with the professor, the student
must present a letter explaining the cause of absence.
 5. Cutting Classes. Cutting classes are decidedly prohibited. Any student who does cutting classes
is marked absent.

E. TEXTBOOKS
Guy, Fritz. Thinking Theologically: Adventist Christianity and the Interpretation of Faith. Berrien
Springs, MI: Andrews University Press, 1999.
Olson, Roger E. The Story of Christian Theology: Twenty Centuries of Tradition & Reform. Downers
Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 1999.

F. GRADING SYSTEM
30% written works (e.g., quizzes) A 98-100 C+ 83-85
40% performance tasks (projects, attendance) A- 95-97 C 80-82
30% periodic assessments (exams) B+ 92-94 C- 77-79
B 89-91 D 75-76
B- 86-88 F 74
100%

G. SCHEDULE OF TOPICS
1. Introduction of the course, rationale & course outline, NLAC & SOT mission & vision
statements; Periods, themes, and personalities of Christian theology; Sources and methods of
theology
2. Conflicting Christian Visions in the Second Century
3. Third Century Tensions and Transformations
4. The Controversy About the Trinity
5. The Conflict Over the Person of Christ
6. The Great Tradition Divides Between East and West
7. Scholastic Revive and Enthrone Theology
8. The Western Church Reforms and Divides
9. Protestants Follow Diverse Paths
10. Liberals and Conservatives Respond to Modernity

H. SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY
Allison, Gregg R. Historical Theology: An Introduction to Christian Doctrine. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan,
2011.
Barreto, Eric D. ed. Thinking Theologically: Foundations for Learning. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2015.
Berkhof, Louis. Introduction to Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1979.
Bird, Michael F. Evangelical Theology: A Biblical and Systematic Introduction. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan,
2013.
Bray, Gerald. God is Love: A Biblical and Systematic Theology. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2012.
Canale, Fernando. “Evangelical Theology and Open Theism: Toward a Biblical Understanding of the Macro
Hermeneutical Principles of Theology. JATS 12, no. 2 (2001): 16-34.
____. “From Vision to System: Finishing the Task of Adventist Theology Part I: Historical Review.” JATS
15, no. 2 (2004): 5-39.
____. “Is There Room for Systematics in Adventist Theology?” JATS 12, no. 2 (2001): 110-131.
Davidson, Jo Ann. “Word Made Flesh: The Inspiration of Scripture.” JATS 15, no. 1 (2004): 21-33.
Davie, Martin, Tim Grass, Stephen R. Holmes, John McDowell and T. A. Noble, eds. New Dictionary of
nd
Theology: Historical and Systematic. 2 ed. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2016.
Dederen, Raoul, ed. Handbook of Seventh-day Adventist Theology. Hagerstown, MD: Review & Herald, 2000.
Donkor, Kwabena. “The Role of the Statement of Beliefs and Creeds.” JATS 16, nos. 1-2 (2005): 93-113.
Enns, Paul. The Moody Handbook of Theology. Rev. and expanded. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2008.
rd
Erickson, Millard J. Christian Theology. 3 ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2013.
Green, Joel B. and Max Turner, eds. Between Two Horizons: Spanning New Testament Studies and Systematic
Theology. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2000.
Grenz, Stanely J. and Roger E. Olson. Who Needs Theology?: An Invitation to the Study of God. Downers
 Grove, IL: IVP Press, 1996.
Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. Nottingham, England: Inter-
Varsity, 2007.
Gulley, Norman R. “Creation: The Foundational Importance of Scripture as Revelation.” JATS 15, no. 1
(2004): 91-124.
____. Systematic Theology: God as Trinity. Berrien Springs, MI: Andrews University Press, 2011.
____. Systematic Theology: Creation, Christ, and Salvation. Berrien Springs, MI: Andrews University Press,
2012.
____. Systematic Theology: Prolegomena. Berrien Springs, MI: Andrews University Press, 2003.
Guy, Fritz. Thinking Theologically: Adventist Christianity and the Interpretation of Faith. Berrien Springs,
MI: Andrews Univ. Press, 1999.
Lewis, Gordon R. and Bruce A. Demarest. Integrative Theology: Historical, Biblical, Systematic, Apologetic,
Practical. 3 vols. in one ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1996.
McGrath, Alister E. Iustitia Dei: A History of the Christian Doctrine of Justification. 3rd ed. Cambridge, NY:
Cambridge University Press, 2005.
____. Christian Theology: An Introduction. 5th ed. Malden, MA: Blackwell, 2011.
____. Historical Theology: An Introduction to the History of Christian Thought. 2nd ed. Malden, MA:
Wiley-Blackwell, 2013.
Ministerial Association of General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Seventh-day Adventists Believe: A
Biblical Exposition of Fundamental Doctrines. 2nd ed. Boise, ID: Pacific Press, 2005.
Olson, Roger E. The Story of Christian Theology: Twenty Centuries of Tradition & Reform. Downers Grove,
IL: IVP Academic, 1999
____. Arminian Theology: Myths and Realities. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2006.
____. The Journey of Modern Theology: From Reconstruction to Deconstruction. Downers Grove, IL: IVP
Academic, 2013.
Palmer, Edwin H. The Five Points of Calvinism. Enlarged ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1972.
Peerman, Dean G. and Martin E. Marty, eds. A Handbook of Christian Theologians. Cleveland, OH: The
Word Publishing, 1965.
Pelikan, Jeroslav. “An Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine.” Church History 35 (1966): 3-12.
Pfandle, Gerhard. “The Trinity in Scripture.” JATS 14, no. 2 (2003): 80-94.
Pinnock, Clark H., gen. ed. The Grace of God and the Will of Man. Minneapolis, MN: Bethany, 1989.
Placher, William C. A History of Christian Theology, An Introduction. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1983.
Rice, Richard. The Reign of God: An Introduction to Christian Theology from a Seventh-day Adventist
Perspective. 2nd ed. Berrien Springs, MI: Andrews University Press,
Rodríguez, Ángel Manuel, ed. Toward a Theology of the Remnant: An Adventist Ecclesiological Perspective.
Biblical Research Institute Studies in Adventist Ecclesiology-1. Silver Spring, MD: Biblical Research
Institute, 2009.
Stott, John. The Cross of Christ. 20th anniv. ed. Nottingham, England: Inter-Varsity, 1989.
Thiessen, Henry Clarence. Lectures in Systematic Theology. Rev. ed. Revised by Vernon D. Doerksen. 1979.
Reprint, Manila, Philippines: Christian Library, 1991.
Vanhoozer, Kevin J., Charles A. Anderson, and Michael J. Sleasman, eds. Everyday Theology: How to Read
Cultural Texts and Interpret Trends. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2007.
Webster, John, Kathryn Tanner, and Iain Torrance, eds. The Oxford Handbook of Systematic Theology.
Oxford, NY: Oxford University Press, 2010.
Zinke, Edward. “Faith-Science Issues: An Epistemological Perspective.” JATS 15, no. 1 (2004): 63-90.
ADDENDUM A

Grading Rubrics for Essay type evaluations: 10/10

Excellent Very Good Good

Critical thinking (manifests clarity, logic, order,
coherence, objectivity, and focus on the argumentation 10 points 8-9 points 5-7 points
of information)

Grading Rubrics for Project (i.e., research paper): 100/100

Exceeds basic Meets basic Fails basic

expectations expectations expectation
1. Information quality (pieces of information are from a
variety of scholarly sources) 25 points 20-24 points 15-19 points
2. Organization (follows logical sequence and
structure) 25 points 20-24 points 15-19 points
3. Fairness (different positions/views are adequately
presented without hint of biases) 25 points 20-24 points 15-19 points
4. Critical thinking (the project manifests clarity, logic,
order, coherence, objectivity, and focus on the 25 points 20-24 points 15-19 points
argumentation of information)
ADDENDUM B

Book Readings

§ Paper size: short coupon band (8.5 x 11 in.)

§ Font size: 12
§ Margins: 1 inch at all sides
§ Spacing: double space
§ Text format:

Name of student: Juan de la Cruz

Bibliography: Barreto, Eric D. ed. Thinking Theologically: Foundations for Learning. Minneapolis,
MN: Fortress Press, 2015.

Sworn statement: I swore that I read the whole book (attached a signature)

Reactions on two best chapters of the book:

ADDENDUM C

Article Readings

§ Paper size: short coupon band (8.5 x 11 in.)

§ Font size: 12
§ Margins: 1 inch at all sides
§ Spacing: double space
§ Text format:

Name of student: Juan de la Cruz

Bibliography: Pelikan, Jeroslav. “An Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine.” Church
History 35 (1966): 3-12.

Sworn statement: I swore that I read the whole article (attached a signature)

Short summary and reactions: