Instruction
Choose ONE of the following questions and write an 8 page answer to that question. Paper topics are due no later than Wednesday, April 1. Paper 2 will comprise 25% of your grade.
o In Howard Thurman, Jesus and the Disinherited, what is Thurmans notion of sin? (In other words, what is the problem?) What is Thurmans notion of salvation? (What is the solution?) Analyze Thurmans argument about sin and salvation. Compare and contrast Thurmans soteriology with that of one of the theologians we have studied in this unit. Copies of Jesus and the Disinherited are on reserve at the Wise Library on the Downtown campus. If you are planning to write your final exam on Thurman, you may NOT write Paper 2 on Thurman. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
o Write a code of ethics for WVU students. Be certain that the teachings of moral theology and virtue ethics that we studied in this unit underpin your WVU student code of ethics. Remember that WVU is a public university that recognizes separation of church and state. Explain why, given the necessity of separation of church and state in our context, the work of Aquinas and other Christian theologians is relevant. You may include the concept of hospitality in your code of ethics but you are not required to do so.
o Develop a theology of election, responding to the teachings of Augustine, Calvin, Arminius, and Wesley. You may argue against any of these theologians or you may craft an argument in agreement with one or more of them.
o How do you justify teaching religion and theology courses at a secular university? What is the appropriate relationship between faith and reason in the context of a university education? How does one balance intellectual development and faith development? Craft your argument in response to the work of at least two of the theologians we studied in this unit. You may argue against those theologians or you may use their work to support your own argument.