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TQQ Programme 2010

View a week-by-week plan for the 2010-11 course

LIVING BELIEF: THE SHAPE OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE 2010/11

In this year of study, term 1 is concerned with ‘God and creation’. We begin with reflections on the theme of ‘doing theology’, and then move to some perspectives on God. Those include the debt of Christian faith to Jewish experience, the centre of gravity of the message of Jesus about God, the steady movement in Christian theology towards the idea of God as trinity, and the issues surrounding God’s relationship to the world. ‘Can God any longer be credited with creation?’ as well as ‘Is God green?’ and ‘What do we think we are doing when we pray?’ are typical questions we ask. Also ‘What does Christian thinking about creation imply concerning work and sex?’ – two issues where Christian churches have not always shown a sure touch.

In term 2 we move on to ‘Christ and salvation’. Many Christians down the centuries have tried through painting as well as writing to convey what they have believed God was doing – is doing? – in Jesus Christ. We shall study their attempts to define him/her, take seriously the God of Good Friday as well as Easter Day, open up the insights of feminist and liberation theologies about incarnation and salvation, explore the theme of hope, and try to come to a decision about whether Jesus is special, even unique, as a way to God. More big ethical issues force their way on to the agenda: power and violence, crime and punishment.

In term 3 the overarching theme will be ‘Spirit and Church’. The experience of the Christian community encompasses missionary energy, charismatic vigour, persistent polarisations, enriching sacraments and exasperating divisions. At its best it exhibits something of God through the Spirit, but at its worst …? Any discussion of the Church must be alert to the society in which it is placed – so again there is some ethical spin-off: ‘How does Christ relate to morality … or the state … or art and culture?’

Time and place

The programme involves three terms each year, each involving ten evenings of study.

The first session proper in the year 2010/11 will be on Tuesday 28 September 2010 at 7.00 p.m. in Sarum College, 19 The Close, Salisbury SP1 2EE. But there will be two preparatory and entirely free sessions before that for any who would like to come to them:

A taster evening on Tuesday 14 September 2010 at 7.00 p.m., when we will sample together ‘the TQQ experience’ and consider the topic ‘On using the Bible as a moral compass?’ – just to allow those who are thinking about joining the course to gain a sense of what it is like. We will dip our toes in the water of the process of exploring Christian belief. You don’t have to come in order to enrol on the course, but you will be welcome if you do. And it’s absolutely free!

A study skills evening on Tuesday 21 September 2010, when we will talk together about how to read and study books economically and effectively, how to write essays, how to make use of the College library, and how to feel confident of your ability. At least one former student will be coming to share his/her practical experience – opportunities to take, pitfalls to avoid.

All teaching sessions take place on Tuesday evenings, 7.00 – 9.00 (ending promptly), with a coffee interval at half-time. They are spread over three terms of 10 weeks each, beginning in 2010/11 on 28 September, 11 January and 3 May. In addition there will be two study days (11 December and 9 April), devoted to free discussion.

You might like to register in advance, though this is not essential. Just come to the first meeting, and payment can be made then.

If you have any queries, or would like to talk over what is involved, please contact David Catchpole, the programme leader, at Sarum College (01722-424800 or anndavid@catchpole.fslife.co.uk) or Alison Ogden, the courses administrator at Sarum College (01722-424826 or courses@sarum.ac.uk).

Some possible reading in advance

You might like, if you have time, to warm up, as it were, for the course by doing some reading. A very helpful introduction is:

Alister E McGrath (2008) Theology: The Basics, Oxford: Blackwell.

The book, a little more advanced, which serves as handbook for the course as a whole is:

Daniel Migliore (1991) Faith Seeking Understanding, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.

Inevitably, we shall often be referring to the New Testament, and it will probably help you to do some reading about the gospels, Jesus and Paul. We highly recommend:

Graham Stanton (2002) The Gospels and Jesus, 2nd ed., Oxford: OUP
David Horrell (2006) An Introduction to the Study of Paul, 2nd ed., London:
Continuum.

The Sarum College Bookshop offers a discount of 10% (or free packing and postage) on all purchases by actual or prospective TQQ students.
Email the Sarum College Bookshop

Costs
The cost of this three-term course is being held at £100 per term (with a one-off non-returnable registration fee of £50) for those wishing to register with the University of Surrey for an award during 2009/10. It drops to £90 per term for unwaged persons over 60 and students, and to £50 per term for those in receipt of income support, housing benefit or job seeker’s allowance. If you would like to join but cannot afford the appropriate fee, please consult the Programme Leader, David Catchpole.

We are holding the cost for those who would like to join in but have no wish to write essays or gain an award. For them it will be just £60 per term (£6 per individual session for those who wish or are able to come only occasionally).

If there are any questions you would like to discuss, please contact David Catchpole on drc@sarum.ac.uk.

The teaching team

The members of the teaching team are very varied except in two respects – they are all very experienced communicators in the area of theological education, and they are all active students of theology.

They are:

Professor David Catchpole (Programme Leader), Emeritus Professor of Theological Studies in the University of Exeter, and Scholar in Residence at Sarum College.

Dr John Elliott, formerly Senior Lecturer in Art and Architecture at the Universities of London and Reading.

Dr Tim Gibson, Staff Member, Southern Theological Education and Training Scheme.

Canon Edward Probert, Canon Chancellor of Salisbury Cathedral.

Judith Rossall,Director of Learning Development, Southern Theological Education and Training Scheme

Dr David Way, Theological Education Secretary, Church of England Ministry Division.

Canon Vernon White, Principal, Southern Theological Education and Training Scheme.

Dr Stella Wood, Staff Member, Sherborne School for Girls.

Canon Eric Woods, Vicar of Sherborne Abbey