Deepening Your Faith Essentials: Theology and How It Changes the Way We Live

Transcription

1 ONLINE COURSE SYLLABUS Deepening Your Faith Essentials: Theology and How It Changes the Way We Live Instructors: Dr. Walt Russell, Professor of Bible Exposition, Talbot Seminary Daniel Eichelberger, Associate Pastor, Lenny Esposito, Apologist and Church Leader, Jason Powell, Associate Pastor, Course Description This course provides a general overview of systematic theology that will familiarize the student with a basic understanding of the essential doctrines of Christianity. The course will also equip students to think theologically and to comprehend the relationship between beliefs and behaviors. Finally, the class is aimed at exalting the name of Jesus, pointing to the central importance of the gospel, and helping the student become conformed into the image of God (see Romans 15:6; 1:16; 8:29). Course Outcomes By the end of this course the student will have... Gained a basic knowledge of the essential content of the doctrinal topics covered in this course. Become more familiar with the orthodox view of Scripture, God, creation, humanity, sin, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, salvation, the church, and the future. Expanded their view of other orthodox ways of viewing particular doctrines such as creation, election, perseverance, church government, and eschatology. Gained a deeper appreciation of Christian theology, their place in the body of Christ, and their need for a continued study of theology in order to become more like Jesus and minister in a Christ-like manner. Grown as a Christian from a thorough introduction of Christian theology, which points to the grand and holy nature of our creator God and informs our methodologies and purposes as Christians. Required Texts Certificate Track and Certificate Track with Honors Holy Bible. New King James Version, New American Standard Version, or the English Standard Version. Milne, Bruce. Know the Truth: A Handbook of Christian Belief. Third Edition. Downer s Grove, Ill. InterVarsity Press, Course Requirements (Estimated 2.5 Hour Time Commitment per Week) 1. Online Attendance You are expected to be faithful to your calling as a student through preparation and by watching each class in its entirety. For each class taken online (four total), you must take the Online Class Quiz. Quizes are graded as Complete or Incomplete. To receive a complete, you must get a 70 percent or higher. 1

2 2. Required Reading You are expected to complete the assigned reading prior to each class. (See Course and Reading Schedule for the required reading to be completed prior to each class.) Partial credit is awarded for reading completed after the corresponding class. This means you must have all the required reading for class one prior to watching class one online. 3. Course Comprehension Exam Certificate Track Attendees will take a Course Comprehension Exam that will help the student evaluate their comprehension of the required reading, writing assignments, and the class teachings. The Course Comprehension Exam will consist of questions covering the course lectures, required reading (a study list of terms and concepts will be made available prior to the exam), writing assignments, and pertinent Scriptures. You will take the exam on campus in the Loft on the assigned date for the quarter for which you are registered. 4. Minimum Grade Point Average Students in the Certificate Track are required to achieve a grade of no less than 70% in each quarter of Deepening Your Faith, with an accumulative GPA of 2.0. Students in the Certificate Track with Honors are required to achieve a grade of no less than 80% in each quarter of Deepening Your Faith, with an accumulative GPA of 3.0. Grading In order to assess your progress and comprehension in the subject of this course, we will supply you with a grade in the class. The grade is provided to help you learn where you excel and where you need to improve. Grades are not a measure of spirituality or salvation. Grades are a measuring tool for personal growth and to provide a form of accountability to your faithfulness to the task. Your grade will not be published or shared with others. A grade of 70 % or higher is required for credit toward the Certificate Track. A grade of 80% or higher is required for credit toward the Certificate Track with Honors. Grading for this quarter will be based on reading, attendance, assignments, and the Course Comprehension Exam: Attendance/Quizes: 20% Reading: 30% Course Comprehension Exam: 50% Total: 100% GPA Calculator for Deepening Your Faith Percentage Earned Grade-Point Equivalent A A A Letter-Grade Equivalent 2

3 A A B B / B B B B B / B B B C / C C C C C C C C C- / D et cetera Track Specifics Certificate Track 1. The Certificate in Practical Theology. Upon completion of all the required coursework for all four quarters of Deepening Your Faith, Harvest will award each graduate with a Certificate in Practical Theology. This is a non-accredited certificate and will not be eligible for transfer to other educational institutions. However, the certificate does testify to each graduate s hard work, faithfulness, and ability to see a task to its end. For those reasons, it bears great personal significance. 2. Requirements for Certificate in Practical Theology You will receive a Certificate in Practical Theology upon completing the following: Watched all of the classes for each quarter and received a Complete for each required class. Completed all the required reading and writing assignments for all four quarters of classes. Taken the Course Comprehension Exam for each of the four quarters. 3

4 Written a three to five page Capstone Paper due after the fourth quarter of classes. Topics of the paper will be determined at a later date. Tentatively, you will have approximately one month after the end of the final quarter of Deepening Your Faith to turn in Capstone Papers. Achieved a minimum grade of 70% per quarter with a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA. While the above requirements may seem challenging, they assure that the certificate issued will hold legitimacy and be a true award to those who were faithful in their studies. Certificate Track with Honors 1. The Certificate in Practical Theology with Honors The Honors Program requires a more challenging and intensive regimen of reading, writing, test taking, and GPA requirements. Students who already have a basic grasp of the material to be covered or are willing to put in the extra effort required to complete the requirements are well suited for the Honors Program. 2. Requirements for Certificate in Practical Theology with Honors In addition to all of the requirements for the Certificate Track, those students who complete the entire Certificate Track with Honors will be awarded a certificate designated with honors. Students in the Honors Program must meet all Honors requirements and the following Grade Point Averages to qualify for Honors: Summa Cum Laude (GPA 3.90 and Above) Magna Cum Laude (GPA between 3.75 and 3.89) Cum Laude (GPA between 3.50 and 3.74) Deepening Your Faith Honors (3.0 GPA) While the above requirements may seem challenging, they assure that the honors issued will hold legitimacy and be a true award to those who were faithful in their studies. Computers and Other Electronic Devices You are permitted to use laptops, tablet-like devices, and smart phones during class for note taking and course related purposes only. Students who cause a distraction to the instructor and to fellow students by abusing this privilege will be asked not to bring said electronic devices. Course and Reading Schedule for Both Certificate Tracks Class One: Authority and the Doctrine of God o Read pages Class Two: Humanity and Sin o Read pages Class Three: The Person and Work of Christ o Read pages pp Class Four: The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit 4

5 o Read pages Class Five: The Church and Last Things o Read pages On-Campus Course Comprehension Exam (Bring a #2 Pencil): o Winter Quarter 2014 Test Date: February 23, 2:00 P.M. 4:00 P.M., the Loft o Spring Quarter 2014 Test Date: Sunday, June 1, 2:00 P.M. 4:00 P.M., the Loft o Summer Quarter 2014 Test Date: August 24, 2:00 P.M. 4:00 P.M., the Loft o Fall Quarter 2014 Test Date: Sunday, November 16, 2:00 P.M. 4:00 P.M., the Loft NOTE: The pastoral staff reserves the right to revise the contents of this course syllabus and the requirements of the course as necessary. 5