TH401 SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY Spring 2010

Transcription

1 Mid-South Christian College Professor: Alton Merchant 3097 Knight Rd. Memphis, TN Cell: Office: Version: 1 Date: 19 November 2010 TH401 SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY Spring 2010 COURSE DESCRIPTION Systematic Theology is a comprehensive and systematic survey of the major theological positions within Evangelicalism. Modern Theology will be only minimally considered (Prerequisite course: TH101). THE MISSION OF MSCC Mid-South Christian College exists to glorify God by partnering with Christian Churches in raising up individuals called by God to fulfill the global vision of Christ by facilitating their academic, practical and spiritual preparation. STUDENT CORE LEARNING THREADS (ACLTS) 1. Demonstrate ministry competencies that truly serve the local Christian congregation (AMIN). 2. Demonstrate an understanding of their unique giftedness and how that giftedness will be used to serve God (AGFT). 3. Demonstrate skills at accurately handling the sacred Scriptures (ABIB). 4. Demonstrate competence in effective public communication (ACOM). 5. Demonstrate personal spiritual growth (ASPI) COURSE OBJECTIVES Course Objective As a result of having completed this course, the student will be able to identify the major theological trends in evangelical theology 2. will be able demonstrate his or her preparation for each class session Goal that it Supports This objective supports [ACLTS] ABIB because defining these trends will demonstrate an orthodox understanding of Scripture AMIN and ACOM because writing and speaking on brief summaries of assigned subjects will provide experience in ministry and communication skills 3. will appraise each major theme ABIB because by comparing the various approaches to the biblical themes in writing with participation in class discussion will exercise skills in properly handling the Scriptures 4. will formulate his or her own approach to a biblical theme 5. will demonstrate his or her progress and understanding of the themes and systems of Systematic theology AGFT, ABIB, ACOM and ASPI because writing a term paper will demonstrate an understanding of, and ability to apply and present one s own approach to a biblical theme that spirituality may be developed ACOM and ASPI because taking a mid-term and a final exam to discuss and relate these themes and systems to his or her ministry to develop one s own spirituality 1

2 COURSE TEXTBOOKS Study Bible with Old and New Testament (e.g., NASB, NIV, NRSV, NKJ; e.g., Thompson s Chain Reference, NIV Study Bible, NASB Master Study Bible or Archeology Study Bible; do not use Ryrie or Scofield). Cottrell, Jack. The Faith Once for All: Bible Doctrine for Today. Joplin: College Press, 2002; ISBN: Reymond, Robert L. A Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith, 2 nd rev. and updated. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1998; ISBN: PLAGIARISM Students are expected to give proper credit when using the ideas of others. This frequently takes the form of quotation marks with proper footnotes or endnotes giving the source of the quotation. For examples, consult Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, & Dissertations. 7th ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, Submitting work done by another person as your own results in an F for the assignment and can result in further academic disciplinary measures. CLASS ATTENDANCE Regularity in class attendance is considered absolutely essential to the proper completion of a course. Absences caused by college sponsored activities are the only excused absences. All unexcused absences will result in the lowering of grades and may result in additional work. After absences equal to three weeks of class time the student must petition the faculty to remain in the class as a credit student. Absences in excess of 25% of the total class hours will result in failure of the course. A student is considered tardy if he arrives in class after the instructor begins to call the roll or has begun class or if he leaves before the class hour is completed. Four tardies are counted as one absence. Absences immediately preceding or following a school holiday will be counted as two absences. CLASS ASSIGNMENTS AND INCOMPLETE GRADES All class work is to be completed as assigned. No work will be accepted after the day of the final examination unless the student has filed for an extension before that time. An Incomplete Request Form is available in the Academic Dean s office upon the payment of a $25.00 fee. This form entitles the student to an extension of 30 days in which to complete all class assignments. Failure to complete the work within that extension will result in a grade of F. Announced tests and examinations should be taken when scheduled. Failure to do so will result in a late fee of $5.00 which must be paid before the test is administered. COURSE CHANGES OR WITHDRAWALS FROM COURSES Students who desire to make course changes must do so within the first two weeks of the semester. In order to withdraw from a class or change classes, a student must secure written approval from the registrar and from his instructor. Withdrawal from a class is permitted without penalty (except financial as outlined in the financial section of the catalog) during the first three weeks of the semester. After three weeks, the grade WP or WF will be given and entered on the student s transcript After 6 weeks, a student is not permitted to change a class from credit to audit. After 10 weeks, a student is not permitted to withdraw passing from any course. Withdrawal from a course without written approval from both the registrar and the instructor results in an F grade. WITHDRAWAL FROM THE COLLEGE A student may not withdraw from the college without notifying the dean of students, academic dean or the president. The student is expected to meet all obligations involving his instructors, the business manager, librarian and registrar. Failure to notify the college of withdrawal may result in the student forfeiting any refunds due him. REFUNDS 2

3 Withdrawal refunds of tuition and room rent will be as follows: During the first two weeks of the semester - 80% During the third week of the semester - 60% During the fourth week of the semester - 40% After the fourth week of the semester - No refund COURSE ASSIGNMENTS Description Value 1 Class participation discussion and written assignments 30% 2 Mid-Term Exam 23 February Write: 4-5 page paper on names of God 20% 3 Write a page term paper that develops your approach to a theme of Theology based on a theme in the text (your choice) Due 20 April 25% 4 Final Exam 27 April 25% Total 100% COURSE CALENDAR Class Date Topic Assignment 1 Jan 12th Intro to class, requirements, and content Review textbooks and reason for choosing each. Intro to Systematic Theology to answer, What is Theology and specifically Systematic Theology Read in each of the two textbooks: Reymond xix xxxiii Cottrell th Revelation Inspired Nature of Holy Scripture Attributes of Holy Scripture Nature of Biblical Truth Reymond , 30-47, th Bible as the Που Ζτω for Knowledge & Personal Significance Existence, Knowledge and Nature of God Reymond Cottrell Feb 2 nd The Works of God Reymond Cottrell th Man, Nature of Sin Nature of he Fall 6 16 th Angels, Satan & Demons, Original Sin, Death, Curse Intermediate State 7 23 th Person and History of Jesus Christ Mid-Term Exam Paper Due Cottrell Reymond Cottrell Cottrell Reymond Cottrell Discuss paper on Names of God 8 Mar 2 nd Work of Christ Reymond , Cottrell

4 9 9 th Person and Work of the Holy Spirit Cottrell , th Salvation Conditions of Salvation Cottrell th Nature & Foundation of the Church Its Nature & Purpose Reymond Cottrell th Government of the Church Organization of the Church Reymond Cottrell Apr 6 th Eschatology Reymond Cottrell th Review for final exam Term Paper Due th FINAL EXAM BIBLIOGRAPHY Note: There are excellent bibliographies in Cottrell and Reymond. Reymond briefly annotates the works in his General Bibliography. Bavinck, Herman. The Doctrine of God. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, ISBN Boice, James Montogomery. Foundations of the Christian Faith: A Comprehensive & Readable Theology, rev. in one vol. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, ISBN Cottrell, Jack. The Faith Once for All: Bible Doctrine for Today. Joplin: College Press, 2002; ISBN: What the Bible Says About God the Redeemer. Joplin: College Press, ISBN Enns, Paul. The Moody Handbook of Theology. Chicago: Moody Press, ISBN A strong Dispensational approach of interpreting Scripture, but gives an overview of doing theology (Biblical, Systematic, Historical, Dogmatic, and Contemporary). The book is excellently footnoted with a glossary and helpful charts. the various ways of Elwell, Walter A. Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. Grand Rapids: BakerBook, ISBN Geisler, Normon. Systematic Theology, 4 vols. Minneapolis: Bethany House, ISBN ; ISBN ; ISBN ; ISBN Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology. Inter-Varsity Press: Leicester, ISBN Harvey, Van A. A Handbook of Theological Terms. New York: Simon & Schuster, Inc., ISBN Hengal, Martin. Studies in Early Christology. Edinburgh: T&T Clark, The Son of God: The Origin of Christology and the History of Jewish- Hellenistic Religion. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, ISBN Hengel is a professor in Tübingen, Germany. This book seeks to reunite historical research and the theological search for truth while viewing the titles Son and God while examining the consistent and dynamic development of the doctrine of Christ in primitive Christianity, from the Gospels account of the death of Jesus to the Christology of Paul s writings. 4

5 Reymond, Robert L. A Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith, 2 nd rev. and updated. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1998; ISBN: Thielicke, Helmut. A Little Exercise for Young Theologians. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., ISBN An excellent primer for the beginner and the experienced; both can draw upon the insights of Thielicke for their work. Thiselton, Anthony C. The Hermeneutics of Doctrine. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., ISBN Van Hoozer, Kevin J. The Drama of Doctrine: A Canonical Linguistic Approach to Christian Westminster, John Knox Press, ISBN Van Til, Cornelius. An Introduction to Systematic Theology. Phillipsburg: Presbyterian and Co., ISBN Theology. Louisville: Reformed Publishing Zahl, Paul F. M. A Short Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., ISBN Syllabus Acknowledgement Form 5

6 Read Carefully. Check each box [ ]. Give the signed & dated form to your instructor. [ ] I have received a copy of the syllabus for, for. Course Name Number Semester - Year [ ] I have read the syllabus in its entirety, and I fully understand the course objectives and requirements for this class. [ ] I understand that ALL assignments and course requirements must be completed in order to pass this class. Printed Name Date Signature 6