Critical Review Assignments for Human Condition (2000 words)

Critically Assess the extent to which Kathryn Tanner’s essay ‘Grace without Nature’ aids our theological understanding of the imago dei as a key feature of the Human Condition ?
In your response you should discuss:
• The merits of each overall argument (what counter arguments can you think of). Does the author offer ideas that are useful for understanding the human condition theologically? How well does the author engage with the theological potential of the ideas they present?
• How appropriate are the range of sources and topics included by the author (what else might have included or should some things be included)
• What ideas do you agree or disagree with (back up your response with evidence from scholarly sources)

You should refer to other sources and essays in your critical response to this essay, demonstrating wide reading beyond the essay. Use these sources to support your critical appraisal of the essay. The sources you refer to should be valid academic articles.
You should NOT refer to blogs or essays online are not from peer reviewed journals, academic essay collections or monographs.

Essay Assignment questions for Human Condition (4000 words)

1. How do core themes in Christian anthropology interact with contemporary socio-cultural understandings of the human person, and what are the implications for Christian engagement with modern societies? Discuss with reference to at least one key concept from the module, and in relation either to your professional/ministry context, or to a significant current social or ethical issue.
2. To what extent does context, and the identity of theologians, shape Christian theology? Discuss with specific reference to one aspect of theological anthropology from the module.
3. ‘Conceived and born in sin’. Is this a useful basis for understanding and speaking about the human condition theologically in your own professional/ministry/cultural context? Why/not?
4. Discuss one or two of the key ethical issues raised by theological approaches to the human condition.
5. What theological construal of human personhood do you find most convincing? Discuss in critical dialogue with at least one theologian.
6. Critically analyse one or two mystical responses to the notion of the self.
7. Assess the importance of the body for theological anthropology in relation to your own professional/ministry/cultural context, in critical dialogue with the theological literature.
8. With reference to particular theologians AND/OR theological traditions discuss the extent to which the Bible can provides us a foundation for understanding the Human Condition in the twenty first century.
9. Assess Either political OR economic attempts to improve human nature from a theological perspective. Refer to specific theologians in your theological critique.

We encourage students to choose one of the set questions for their assignment. However, in consultation with module tutors, it may be possible to devise a question where students have a particular area they wish to explore.