THEOLOGY III: GLORIFYING THE WORD OF LIFE
THS 513M – 1 Credit Hour
Western Seminary – Sacramento
Summer Semester, 2015
Gerry Breshears, Instructor
Office Phone: (503) 517-1870
FAX: (503) 517-1859
SYLLABUS
COURSE SCHEDULE
Monday June 8, 22; July 6, 20; August 3, 10:00 pm to 4:00 pm
COURSE DESCRIPTION
You will culminate the process of learning to think theologically by exploring the Spirit's life-giving work. You will investigate the church as God's covenant community and instrument of His present working, ending with the consummation of His kingdom program in end time events. Throughout the course the Spirit will transform us as we see our part in His grand work. Prerequisite: THS 501. 2 hours.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. You will develop a gospel-centered understanding of Holy Spirit, Church and Last Things and the major historical and evangelical perspectives on these topics.
2. You will be able to articulate clearly and defend biblically your own position on these doctrines.
3. You will be able to assess contrary theological perspectives on these issues fairly and biblically.
4. You will apply these theological truths to contemporary issues in life, ministry, and culture.
5. You will develop a deeper spiritual life as you come to know God, his plans, and his purposes better.
REQUIRED TEXTS
M. Driscoll & G. Breshears, Doctrine ISBN: 1433506254; Retail Price $22.99
T. Tennent, Theology in the Context of World Christianity, ISBN: 9780310275114; Retail Price: $24.99
You are encouraged to purchase these titles through the Amazon.com associate program; you may use the links provided above, or the search option found on the Western website under “Current Students/Portland”: http://www.westernseminary.edu/CurrentStudents/PDX/index.htm.
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 (7 hours)
The assigned reading is listed in the course outline. Readings beyond the texts are available on the Web Classroom. Each assignment completed on time will earn 5 points. Assignments completed late will earn 3 points each. .
B. Scripture Meditation (3 hours)
We will spend time meditating on the passages relevant to the section listed below. We will read thoughtfully, prayerfully and theologically the session's passage for about 15 minutes (to be completed by the beginning of the class session). 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 each class session.
C. Class Participation (30 hours)
A major portion of your learning experience is the involvement in the class. Therefore it is important that you be present and participate in the discussions. You will receive 3 points for each web and campus class you attend and up to 17 points for participation according to my assessment. You will keep track of your attendance on the class report and turn it in at the end of the term.
D. Theological Reflection Paper (9 hours) Due July 29
You will write one of the following personal integrative papers. The paper will be approximately 5 pages long. It will provide and clarify your biblically founded theological understanding of the issue and how you will integrate it into your approach to counseling. The paper should be quite concrete, and you should seek to present them with sufficient clarity that it can be understood by the average church member.
The first possible paper will cover your understanding of the role of the Holy Spirit in counseling. It will address the following:
o the nature of the healing and empowering work of the Spirit in the lives of believers
o how you as a counselor will help your client understand and access the Spirit's help
o how you as a counselor will understand and access the Spirit's power in your helping role
The second possible paper will address your understanding of the church as a resource for healing. Specifically, it will address the following:
o the nature of the church as a community of the Spirit and the body of Christ
o how the church can help people in their healing in growth
o how you as a counselor will coordinate with the leaders of the church to encourage that work
This will be due July 29.
E. Affirmations (10 hours)
There are three groups of affirmation assignments due at the end of each section of the course. They are related to the state part of the state and defends you will hear about in the videos. On each affirmation, write out your view on the issue in two or three sentences. Do not address other views than yours. Then in a couple of good paragraphs support your view with well explained Scripture. Finally answer a question someone who disagrees with you would raise about your position. Do each affirmation so that Chris will understand you. Chris is a college graduate, a recent convert, who believes the Bible completely but knows little about it, who knows nothing about theology.
Holy Spirit: Due July 1
Spirit baptism: Focus on when the baptism happens and what the results of it are. Relate it to the filling of the Spirit. Be sure to interact with Acts 2, 19 and 1 Cor. 12:13.
Gifts of the Spirit: state the nature, number, character of gifts. Be sure to clarify your understanding of the current status of so-called sign gifts and the relation of gifts and talents. You need not go into detail on prophecy or tongues.
Church Due July 29:
Infant/believer baptism: Relate your affirmation to the meaning of baptism. Be sure to look at the examples of household baptisms in Acts.
Last Things Due August 11:
Hell: As you define your view, be sure to address issues like who is there, punishment or exclusion, everlasting or annihilation, etc. You need not deal with the status of infants and the unevangelized.
You will upload your affirmations to the web classroom by 6:00 pm on the due date.
Final Course Evaluation (15 min.)
Before the end of the last Friday of the semester, you will receive an email with a link to 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.
GRADING
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%
Required Assignments / Points / Estimated Time to Complete
Integrative Paper / 90 / 9 hours
Meditations / 35 / 3 hours
Affirmations / 90 / 10 hours
Class Participation / 50 / 30 hours
Reading / 50 / 7 hours
Class Evaluation / 20 / 1 hour
Totals / 315 / 60 hrs.
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.
LIBRARY RESOURCES – SACRAMENTO
Copies of all books required for every class each term are kept ON RESERVE in the library (near the bulletin board). These books must be used in the library and cannot be taken from the library. The library may have copies which can be checked out, or donated copies which may be available to students on a first-come, first-served basis. Please ask.
Copies of books which are recommended by your instructor for your class are available in the library and may be checked out. See your class “Resource List” on the Sacramento library’s online catalog, accessible from the library’s webpage.
All library books must be signed out on the clipboard at the desk, if the librarian is not present.
Since one purpose of a post-graduate education is to further develop research skills for lifelong learning, all class assignments with a research element require library research. Typically, a minimum of two resources must be from a physical library or from the Western/Corban Library System’s digital resources.
For complete library information, including access to Sacramento’s library catalog, the Western/Corban Library System (including all digital resources), library policies, APA and MLA writing and style guides, and a list of local area libraries, please visit the library’s webpage at http://www.westernseminary.edu/students/sacramento/library/home.
For assistance in using the digital resources, or to schedule an appointment for research or writing assistance, or for any other questions, please contact Donna Greenhut, M.S.L.S. / .
DATE ASSIGNMENT
June 8 The Person and Work of the Spirit: Spirit Baptism, Gifts; 1 Corinthians 12
Bredesen, "Empowered by the Spirit," Charisma, August, 1994
View the video teaching on the Holy Spirit by Jack Hayford here: http://youtu.be/q6tDTHCzVEg.
A helpful presentation of Pentecostal views is at http://talkingpentecostalism.blogspot.com/2007/05/what-is-pentecostal-baptism-in-spirit.html. You would do well to read the articles there.
June 22 Continuing Discussion on Holy Spirit: 1 Cor. 14
Tennent: Chapter 7
Spirit Affirmations due July 1
July 6 Nature and Organization of the Church, Ephesians 4:1-16
Driscoll/Breshears, Chapter 10, "Church: God Sends"
Dodd, "Women in Leadership Study Packet"
July 20 Ordinances and Mission of the Church; Romans 6:1-11
Driscoll/Breshears, Chapter 11, "Worship: God Transforms"
Tennent, Chapter 8
Moran, A Closer Look at Catholicism, 92-96, 113-128