I. Course Title: DM-901 Contemporary Issues in Theology: Caring for Creation

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1 Course Syllabus Doctor of Ministry I. Course Title: DM-901 Contemporary Issues in Theology: Caring for Creation 2) Catalog Description: 3) Course Objectives This course explores topics of current interest in the theology and life of the church. Of special interest are those issues and movements in the contemporary scene which are presenting a challenge to parish ministry in The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, as well as to the church-at-large. Lectures are presented by the instructor on each topic. Students are required actively to participate in the course and to share the results of their research with the members of the class. A. Knowledge 1) To review the theological questions at issue in contemporary ecclesiastical discussions; 2) To increase understanding of a distinctively Lutheran approach to current issues of theology and practice; and 3) To analyze and evaluate current writings on these issues from the theological perspective of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. B. Attitudes C. Skills 1) To increase a recognition of the complexity of many contemporary issues in theology and of the need to engage in critical thinking based on the principles contained in God s Word; 2) To foster a growing appreciation for the Lutheran theological heritage and its value for addressing the contemporary scene; and 3) To instill a confidence in the Lutheran confession of the biblical Gospel and a readiness to give an account of the hope within us with humility, gentleness, and respect. 1) To develop the ability to evaluate contemporary theological discourse with care and discernment;

2 2) To increase skills in formulating theological principles on the basis of the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions which may, in turn, serve as a foundation for addressing current issues; and 3) To develop the skill of applying biblical and confessional principles to questions which arise in the individual and corporate life of the church. 4) Course Outline and Reading List: ( Highly Recommended reading) Session 1 (January 7): Introduction: The State of the Environment Donald Kennedy (Editor), Science Magazine's State of the Planet (Publisher: Island Press; 1 edition, June 15, 2006). 240 pages Fred Pearce, With Speed and Violence: Why Scientists Fear Tipping Points in Climate Change Al Gore, An Inconvenient Truth: The Planetary Emergency of Global Warming and What We Can Do About It. 328 Sessions 2: Eco-Centrist Responses James Lovelock, The Revenge of Gaia: Earth's Climate Crisis and the Fate of Humanity (Perseus Books Group; New Ed edition, June 30, 2007), 176 J. E. Lovelock, The Ages of Gaia: A Biography of Our Living Earth (Commonwealth Fund Book Program (Series).) 255 pages Alan Weisman, The World Without Us (Thomas Dunne Books, 2007). 336 George Sessions, Deep Ecology for the Twenty-First Century. Sessions 3-4: Ecumenical Responses to Environmental Issues Christianity and Ecology: Seeking the Well-Being of Earth and Humans, ed. Dieter Hessel and Rosemary Radford Ruether (Harvard University Center for the Study of World Religions, 2000), 700 John Hart, What Are They Saying About Environmental Theology? (Paulist Press 2004) CATHOLIC.

4) Course Outline and Reading List: ( Highly Recommended reading) Session 1 (January 7): Introduction: The State of the Environment Donald Kennedy (Editor), Science Magazine's State of the Planet

3 James A. Nash, Loving Nature: Ecological Integrity and Christian Responsibility (Churches' Center for Theology and Public Policy, 1991). WESLEYAN. Larry L. Rasmussen, Earth Community, Earth Ethics (Orbis, 1996). MAINLINE PROTESTANT Douglas John Hall, Imaging God: Dominion as Stewardship (Eerdmans, 1986) Session 5: Feminist Responses Rosemary R. Ruether, Gaia and God: An Ecofeminist Theology of Earth Healing (Paperback) Sallie McFague, Life Abundant: Rethinking Theology and Economy for a Planet in Peril (Fortress, 2000). 250 Sallie McFague, The Body of God: An Ecological Theology (Fortress, 1993).. Session 6-7: Lutheran Responses H. Paul Santmire, Nature Reborn: The Ecological and Cosmic Promise of Christian Theology (Fortress, 2000). Paul Santmire, the Travail of Nature : The Ambiguous Ecological Promise of Christian Theology(Theology and the Sciences) Evocations of Grace: The Writings of Joseph Sittler on Ecology, Theology, Ethics (Eerdmans, 2000). Sessions 8-9: Evangelical Theocentric/Biblical Responses Richard A. Young, Healing the Earth: A Theocentric Perspective on Environmental Problems and Their Solutions (Broadman & Holman, 1994). Steven Bouma-Prediger, For the Beauty of the Earth: A Christian Vision for Creation Care (Baker Academic 2001). 240 James Gustafson, A Sense of the Divine: The Natural Environment from a Theocentric Perspective (Pilgrim Press, 1994). Redeeming Creation: The Biblical Basis for Environmental Stewardship. Fred Van Dyke (Author), David C. Mahan (Author), Joseph K. Sheldon (Author), Raymond H. Brand (IVP 1996).

Ruether, Gaia and God: An Ecofeminist Theology of Earth Healing (Paperback) 1994. 320 Sallie McFague, Life Abundant: Rethinking Theology and Economy for a Planet in Peril (Fortress, 2000).

4 Session 10: The Earth in a Cosmic Context Guillermo Conzalez and Jay W. Richards, The Privileged Planet: How Our place in the Cosmos is Designed for Discovery, (Regnery, 2004). V. Course Requirements 1) Pre-Course Requirements Each student is to read the highly recommended readings (noted with ) listed for Session 1 (Kennedy, Science) and Session 2 (Lovelock, Revenge of Gaia) of this course prior to the beginning of the course and with this as background prepare two three page typewritten statements titled Contemporary Issues in Creation from My Perspective to be shared with the class in Sessions 1 &2 and handed in. Each statement should be one half abstract/summary where if you gave it the author he/she would say, that s exactly what I was trying to say. The second half should be more your own personal reaction to the work. This may include questions that it raised in your mind, positive/negative gut reactions to the work, or new insights that it provided you. 2) Book Review Each participant in the course is required to read 1500 pages from the listed readings. Those marked with a bullet ( ) are highly recommended. With prior approval of the instructor other books may be substituted. Each participant is to choose one of the books from the list and submit a five (5) page review. The papers are to include: 1) a summary of the author s main theses and arguments (again, this should be written without any personal comments so that if the author read it he/she would affirm that you have accurately represented the work. 2) an analysis of the author s assumptions, arguments, and conclusions 3) the student s theological evaluation of the book 4) implications of the book for parish ministry or the lives of individual Christians C. Class Report Each member of the class is expected to participate in the course by attending all

of this course prior to the beginning of the course and with this as background prepare two three page typewritten statements titled Contemporary Issues in Creation from My Perspective to be shared

5 class sessions and presenting a class report on the preliminary findings for the area of post-course research. D. Course Project/Paper In fulfillment of the post-residency part of the D. Min. course, an extensive project/paper (on an instructor approved topic) will be submitted to the instructor within seventy days (10 weeks) after the last scheduled class day. The paper/project draws upon the readings and classroom instruction as these apply to the pastoral ministry. The course project is to consist of approximately VI. Teaching Techniques 1) Lecture 2) Discussion 7) Evaluation A. Written reports 20% of grade B. Class Presentations 15% of grade C. Term Paper 50% of grade D. Participation 15% of grade DM-912 Contemporary Issues in Theology

The paper/project draws upon the readings and classroom instruction as these apply to the pastoral ministry. The course project is to consist of approximately 15-20 VI.

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