THEOLOGY II: GLORIFYING THE WORD OF LIFE
THS 502 4 Credit Hours
Western Seminary – Portland
Spring Semester, 2014
Gerry Breshears, Instructor
Office Phone: (503) 517-1870
SYLLABUS
COURSE SCHEDULE
Monday January 5 through April 20, 6:00pm 10:00pm
REQUIRED TEXTS
M. Erickson, Christian Theology, 3nd Ed. ISBN: 0-8010-3643-7; Retail Price: $49.99, (optional alternative B. Demarest & G. Lewis, Integrative Theology ISBN: 0-310-20915-3; Retail Price: 69.99)
T. Tennent, Theology in the Context of World Christianity, ISBN: 9780310275114; Retail Price: $24.99
M. Driscoll & G. Breshears, Death by Love ISBN: 1433501295; Retail Price $19.99
Federal law now requires institutions to provide the ISBN numbers and retail prices for all required books. Western Seminary encourages students to visit our campus bookstore, Windows Booksellers, in order to obtain these titles at a reduced rate.
COLLATERAL TEXTS
M. S. Peck, People of the Lie
A. Plantinga, Not The Way It's Supposed to Be
J. Stott, The Cross of Christ
D. Tidball, The Message of the Cross
D. Tidball, et. al., The Atonement Debate,
T. Tennent, Theology in the Context of World Christianity
CATALOG DESCRIPTION
Continuing the process of learning to think theologically you will now apply yourself to biblical revelation regarding the Son as the source of life. You will investigate humanity, its dignity as image of God and its depravity as sinful beings, the reality and impact of spiritual beings as backdrop for the atoning work of the Son and its application in the aspects of our salvation. Contemplating the majesty of the Son's work in light of the depth of sin will invigorate our worship and impel our work for His kingdom. Prerequisite: THS 501. 4 hours.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
A. You will develop a gospel-centered understanding of theological anthropology, hamartiology, angelology, work of Christ, and soteriology and the major historical and evangelical perspectives on these topics.
B. You will be able to articulate clearly and defend biblically your own position on these doctrines.
C. You will be able to assess contrary theological perspectives on these issues fairly and biblically.
D. You will apply these theological truths to contemporary issues in life, ministry, and culture.
E. You will develop a deeper spiritual life as you come to know God, his plans, and his purposes better.
ONLINE CLASSROOM
This class has an online classroom. Your first class assignment is to access this website and take a simple quiz confirming your participation in the course. You will use the learning center to download handouts and submit assignments.
To access the site, go to http://www.westernseminary.edu/classrooms/. Click on ‘login’ (on the right above the calendar), use your student number for your username, and the password you’ll receive via email when you register for the course. The on-line classroom will go live no later than the first Monday of the semester.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Online Orientation (15 min.)
Before the end of the first Friday of the semester, you need to log onto the web classroom, download the syllabus for the course, and complete the report indicating that you have read and understand the course requirements. By federal law, we now need to ensure that students participate in classes for the full length of the class. So failure to complete the online orientation on time will result in a grade penalty and may impact your financial aid eligibility.
A. Reading assignments (40 hours)
The assigned reading is listed in the course outline. Erickson is the preferred systematic theology because of its readability and coverage of mainstream evangelical theology. Lewis/Demarest is a fine alternative because of its sections on biblical exposition, church history, apologetic and application. You may choose which one you read. Assignments marked [A] are required for students who desire an A grade and optional for others. Most of the required readings beyond the texts are in the web classroom course materials folder.
Each assignment after the first one should be completed before the class session so that you will be able to participate in and benefit from the class discussions. Each assignment completed on time will earn 5 points. Assignments completed late will earn 3 points each. (1000 pages = 50 hours).
B. Class Outlines
The class outlines are published in the class files web classroom course materials folder. Most files are in MS Word 2003 format. I can also email the files to you in most any word processor format.
C. Scripture Meditation (10 hours)
We will spend time meditating on biblical passages relevant to the various topics we will cover in the class. We will read thoughtfully, prayerfully and theologically the week's passage for about 15 minutes, once a day, two days per week to be completed by the beginning of the first class of the week. To preserve the impact of the meditation, journal your personal reflections on the passages. Rather than summaries of the passages, focus on how our lives and ministries have been (or should be) impacted by the truths we have meditated on. I would like for you to share these with me as a point of accountability and as a way to let me get to know you better. Be sure to include your name, box, the passage and your journaling on each assignment. Turn these by the beginning of class each week. (12 hours)
D. Book Interaction (10 hours)
THS 502 SYLLABUS -- PAGE 2 -- SPRING, 2015
As you read Death by Love, write a five page paper covering the following areas: (1) in one page, describe the multi-faceted jewel approach to understanding atonement; (2) in one page summarize substitution as a theme of atonement; (3) in three pages write case and a letter akin to the ones in the book building from one of the themes of atonement. This paper will be due April 6 (10 hours)
As an alternative to the Death by Love paper, you may write a 5 page position paper on one of the following topics: (1) What is the balance between dignity and depravity in unsaved humans? (2) What impact can a demon have on a believer? (3) How do you apply your model of sanctification in dealing with sin in your life? (due April 1).
I am quite willing to discuss alternative topics or presentations if you have particular interests so long as it involves interaction with various positions on the issues covered in this course. I encourage you to run a draft of your paper by me as you prepare it. We can do the review by email, or by written draft as well as in person in my office.
E. What is the Gospel? (3 hours)
Prior to the class discussion on March 16, take a maximum of two minutes to write out your version of the gospel noting where you would go in the Bible to find key statements of the gospel. This will not be graded, so don’t obsess on it! Then ask three other people to write down their version. Bring all this to class on March 16.
Following the class discussion, write out (1) your summary of the gospel in a page or so; (2) a statement of your personal testimony in a page or so; and (3) how you see the role of the gospel in a Christian's life in a couple of pages. This will all be due April 6.
F. Doctrinal Statements (15 hours)
You will prepare a succinct statement of your own personal doctrinal commitment typed and double spaced which will be turned in with each examination. One covering man and sin (up to two pages) will be due with the first exam. One covering angelology (less than one page) and atonement (about one page) will be due with the second examination. One covering soteriology (up to two pages) will be due with the final examination. You should review the handout "Suggestions for Preparation of Doctrinal Statements" for issues to be covered (available on line). Examples are on reserve in the library and in the web classroom. You will upload your paper to the web classroom.
F. Examinations (21 hours)
Three take home examinations will be given. The dates and topics are in the class schedule. The first section of each exam will be specific multiple choice or short answer questions covering the content of both readings and class discussions in that section of the course (60 points). The second section will be a state and defend question (20 points). Several possible questions are listed on the study sheet. On state and defend questions you will be expected to state your own position on a specific question carefully, to support it with Scripture and relevant arguments, and to answer significant objections. You will upload your paper to the web classroom.
Final Course Evaluation (15 min.)
Before the end of the last Friday of the semester, you need to log onto the learning center and complete the final course evaluation. By federal law, we now need to ensure that students participate in classes for the full length of the class. So failure to complete the final course evaluation on time will result in a grade penalty and may impact your financial aid eligibility.
FINAL GRADE
Required Assignments / Points / Estimated Time to CompleteDoctrinal statements / 90 / 15 hours
Book Interaction / 80 / 10 hours
What is the Gospel / 50 / 4 hours
Examinations / 240 / 24 hours
Meditations / 75 / 7 hours
Reading Report / 70 / 60 hours
Totals / 572 / 120 hrs.
A+ / A / A- / B+ / B / B- / C+ / C / C- / D+ / D / D-
99-100% / 95-98% / 93-94% / 91-92% / 88-90% / 86-87% / 84-85% / 81-83% / 79-80% / 77-78% / 74-76% / 70-73%
COURSE POLICIES
Attendance and Late Assignments: Students are expected to attend all class meetings. Students who miss class are responsible for missed work. Absences and tardiness may impact a student’s grade. Students who anticipate an absence should discuss it in advance with the instructor. Students who miss more than 20% of the seat time for the class will not pass the course, without a request for and the completion of additional assignments. Assignments submitted after the due date and time will result in a reduction of the student’s letter grade for that assignment.
Incompletes/Extensions: The final deadline for submitting all course work is the last day of the semester as noted in the Academic Calendar and in the class schedule. In the case of serious illness, family emergency, or similar extenuating circumstances, the student may request an extension. A 1-3 week extension is typical in all except the most extreme cases, and some penalty for late work may apply. Under no circumstances will the student be given more than 5 weeks to complete all required coursework except by petition and approval of the Administrative Committee. (Extensions longer than 5 weeks are rare and should only be requested under extreme circumstances.)
If students face a personal emergency that requires requesting an extension going beyond the end of the semester, it may affect their ability to receive financial aid in the next semester, and they may face the possibility that their next semester’s course registrations will be cancelled. Please contact the Financial Aid Office for assistance.
Audit/Enrichment Students: Enrichment students are encouraged, but not obligated, to participate in assignments and class discussions. I will grade your papers if you submit them, but there is no academic credit for them.
The Availability of Disability Services at Western Seminary: Western Seminary is committed to responding to the needs of students with disabilities as outlined in both the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Western students are assisted individually as their needs dictate. It is the responsibility of students with disabilities to identify themselves and the nature of the disability. Any student who has a disability should contact the seminary’s Disability (Section 504) Coordinator, Ashley Mitchell, at 503-517-1819/1-877-517-1800, ext. 1819. Her office is at the Portland campus. Students at the northern California campuses may contact Student Services Coordinator – San Jose or Director of Student Development – Sacramento, or they may contact Ms Mitchell directly. Appropriate forms will be provided and must be submitted to the Disability Coordinator’s office.
CLASS SCHEDULE
DATE TOPIC AND ASSIGNMENT
Jan. 5 Human Origin Image of God
Introduction; Human Origin; Image of God; Unity of the Race; Genesis 1:26-2:25
Erickson, chapters 20-21: 423-456 [Bracketed page numbers from second edition chapters 22-23: 479-516]; Lewis/Demarest, 2:123-180
What does it mean that humanity is made in the image of God? http://www.gotquestions.org/image-of-God.html
[A] Grenz, Social God and Relational Self, 183-210.
[A] Hoekema, Created in His Image, 102-111
Jan. 12 Human Constitution
Monism-Dualism; BiblicalTheological Foundations; Dichotomy-Trichotomy; Mark 12:28-34; 1 Thess. 5:23-24
Erickson, chapters 22-23: 457-493 [chapters 24-25: 517-557]
Jan. 19 Martin Luther King, Jr Holiday: No Class
Jan. 26 Human Living
Personhood; Marriage; Eph. 5:18-31; 1 Pet.. 3:1-7
Erickson, chapter 24: 494-509 [chapter 26: 558-575]
Brooks, “Men on the Threshhold”
David Stevens, "What Does It Mean To Be A Person?" http://bit.ly/1kCFyyi
THS 502 SYLLABUS -- PAGE 2 -- SPRING, 2015
Feb. 2 Sin's Beginning
Original State of Man; Origin of Sin; The Fall, Genesis 3:1-24