Introduction to Islamic Theology

“Introduction to Islamic Theology” is an online course that examines some of the most contentious theological debates in the early history of Islam.

Course curriculum

1. Definitions and Names
2. Definitions and Names
1. The Origins of Islamic Theology
2. The Origins of Islamic Theology
1. The Earliest Theological Contentions
2. The Earliest Theological Contentions
1. Philosophy and Theology
2. Philosophy and Theology
1. Tradition-Based Theology and Reason-Based Theology
2. Tradition-Based Theology and Reason-Based Theology
1. The Origin of the term "Kalam"
2. The Origin of the term "Kalam"
1. The Aims of Studying Islamic Theology
2. The Aims of Studying Islamic Theology
1. The Major Theological Schools
2. The Major Theological Schools
3. Quiz 1
1. The Mu'tazilites
2. The Mu'tazilites
1. The Mu'tazilites and the Oneness of God
2. The Mu'tazilites and the Oneness of God
1. The Mu'tazilites and Divine Justice
2. The Mu'tazilites and Divine Justice
1. The Mu'tazilites on Divine Promises and Threats
2. The Mu'tazilites on Divine Promises and Threats
1. The Mu'tazilites and the Intermediate Position
2. The Mu'tazilites and the Intermediate Position
1. The Mu'tazilites on Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil
2. The Mu'tazilites on Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil
1. Other Mu'tazilite Views and Opinions
2. Other Mu'tazilite Views and Opinions
3. Quiz 2
1. The Rise of the Ash'arites
2. The Rise of the Ash'arites
1. The Main Doctrines of the Ash'arites
2. The Main Doctrines of the Ash'arites
1. Rational Understanding in Shia Theology
2. Rational Understanding in Shia Theology
1. The Historical Development of Shia Theology
2. The Historical Development of Shia Theology
3. Quiz 3
1. The Five Tenants of Faith in the Shia Tradition
2. The Five Tenants of Faith in the Shia Tradition
1. Monotheism in the Shia Tradition
2. Monotheism in the Shia Tradition
1. Divine Justice in Shia Theology
2. Divine Justice in Shia Theology
1. Free Will in Shia Theology
2. Free Will in Shia Theology
1. The Inherent Goodness and Evil of Deeds
2. The Inherent Goodness and Evil of Deeds
1. Divine Grace
2. Divine Grace
1. The Independence and Validity of Reason
2. The Independence and Validity of Reason
1. The Aim and Purpose of Divine Acts
2. The Aim and Purpose of Divine Acts
1. Seeing God
2. Seeing God
1. Faith or Disbelief of a Sinner
2. Faith or Disbelief of a Sinner
1. The Infallibility of Prophets and Imams
2. The Infallibility of Prophets and Imams
1. Forgiveness and Intercession
2. Forgiveness and Intercession
3. Quiz 4

About this course

66 lessons
5 hours of video content

Introduction to Islamic Theology

Course curriculum

Lesson 1: Definitions and Names

Lesson 2: The Origins of Islamic Theology

Lesson 3: The Earliest Theological Contentions

Lesson 4: Philosophy and Theology

Lesson 5: Tradition-Based Theology and Reason-Based Theology

Lesson 6: The Origin of the term "Kalam"

Lesson 7: The Aims of Studying Islamic Theology

Lesson 8: The Major Theological Schools

Lesson 9: The Mu'tazilites

Lesson 10: The Mu'tazilites and the Oneness of God

Lesson 11: The Mu'tazilites and Divine Justice

Lesson 12: The Mu'tazilites on Divine Promises and Threats

Lesson 13: The Mu'tazilites and the Intermediate Position

Lesson 14: The Mu'tazilites on Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil

Lesson 15: Other Mu'tazilite Views and Opinions

Lesson 16: The Rise of the Ash'arites

Lesson 17: The Main Doctrines of the Ash'arites

Lesson 18: Rational Understanding in Shia Theology

Lesson 19: The Historical Development of Shia Theology

Lesson 20: The Five Tenants of Faith in the Shia Tradition

Lesson 21: Monotheism in the Shia Tradition

Lesson 22: Divine Justice in Shia Theology

Lesson 23: Free Will in Shia Theology

Lesson 24: The Inherent Goodness and Evil of Deeds

Lesson 25: Divine Grace

Lesson 26: The Independence and Validity of Reason

Lesson 27: The Aim and Purpose of Divine Acts

Lesson 28: Seeing God

Lesson 29: Faith or Disbelief of a Sinner

Lesson 30: The Infallibility of Prophets and Imams

Lesson 31: Forgiveness and Intercession

About this course