Introduction to Christian Theology Bluefield College CST 2313 – Spring 2016 Dr. Tracey M. Stout Office Phone: 326-4245 Office: Lansdell 301 E-mail:
[email protected]
Office Hours: M: T: W: TH: F:
8:00-10:00 1:00-3:30 8:00-10:00 1:00-3:30 8:00-10:00
Catalog Description: A general introduction to the major beliefs and major theologians of the Christian faith. The study gives special attention to Christian beliefs about God, humanity, Jesus Christ, salvation, the church, and the kingdom of God.
I. Purpose and Objectives Purpose: This class is designed to introduce students to the basic doctrines of the Christian faith. The main purpose of the course is to help students (both for ministry preparation and for personal spiritual formation) understand the variety of Christian belief as well as the central core of Christian faith. Christian theology is a long tradition with both variety and continuity. Students will thus be able to reflect on their own beliefs in light of the development of key Christian doctrines. Objectives: At the conclusion of the course you should be able to demonstrate an understanding of theological terms, concepts, and history use the Bible well in explaining a theological position persuasively explain the major doctrines of the Christian faith explain the importance of theology and doctrine for Christian spirituality and the life of the Church explain your own faith in terms in relation to historical Christian thought
II. Required Texts Dan R. Stiver. Life Together in the Way of Jesus Christ: An Introduction to Christian Theology. Waco: Baylor University Press, 2009. N.T. Wright. Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense. New York: HarperSanFrancisco, 2006. Additional Resource: Hacker, Diana and Nancy Sommers. A Writer’s Reference: with Writing in the Disciplines. 7th Ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2011. ISBN: 978-0-312-60144-7 Be sure to bring your Bible and the books we read from for that day to class.
“Christian beliefs are not so many ‘propositions’ to be catalogued or juggled like truth-functions in a computer, but are living convictions which give shape to actual lives and actual communities.” James Wm. McClendon, Jr.
III. Course Activities 1. Examinations During the course of the semester three exams will be given. Test One and Two will be given as a take home exam. The Final Exam will be in class and given at the scheduled time. 2. Assignments A. Exploration paragraphs Several times during the semester students will be assigned a topic, vocabulary term, biblical verses to find, etc. to explore before coming to class the next time. Students are to write up a paragraph explaining what was discovered. B. Theologian Biographies Students will do two biographies of important theologians. These will be due at different times during the semester and these dates will be assigned early in the class. Biographies will be 2 pages. They should include three sections: basic biographical information, key contributions and selected bibliography of the person covered. Bring a copy to distribute to the members of the class. The highlights will be presented in the first few minutes of class on the day it is due. 3. Quizzes Unannounced quizzes will be given over the course of the semester. The quizzes will cover the reading assigned for that day. Quizzes will be given at the beginning of class, so make every effort to be on time. If you arrive after a quiz has been taken, you will not be allowed to take the quiz. No make up quizzes will be given. 4. Semester Paper A. Over the course of the semester students will write a theological essay. The topic of the paper is to be an important doctrine of the Christian faith or some aspect of such a doctrine. Talk with the professor about topics. B. The paper will consist of three sections. The first section of the paper will be a study of the biblical material that deals with your topic. The second section will cover historical development. It will deal with some important historical figures who treated your topic or some important discussions of the issue or doctrine. The third section will be a contemporary statement of the doctrine you are studying. In light of Scripture, historical development, and contemporary context, what needs to be said today regarding this doctrine? C. The Research Process: Assignments will be completed in the course of researching and gathering information for the paper sections. These will include identifying what will be included and then what sources to be used and what types of sources to use.
D. The Writing Process: Each section of the paper should be approximately 4-5 pages. The first section of the paper will be completed and turned in. This section will be revised and turned in with the second section. This second section will be turned revised and turned in with the third section. All papers from the entire process should be turned in with the final paper. The final version of the paper will be approximately 12-15 pages. Refer to the Style Guide for preparation of the paper. 4. Attendance and Participation A. Attendance is necessary to do well in any course. In accordance with college policy (in the catalog), students must attend a minimum of 75% of class sessions to receive credit for the course. Students are required to attend the entire class session. B. Everyone is expected to come to class prepared and be attentive. Students are to keep up with the readings and to participate in class discussions. This class will work only with the participation and engagement of all participants. Come prepared to discuss the topic of the day. Be engaged – engage the texts, one another, the professor. This class will work best as a community of theological endeavor. C. Please avoid disturbing class with cell phones. No text messaging during class. Students texting during class will be counted absent for the day. No cell phones are allowed out during exams.
IV. Grading A. Grade Computation: Exams Theological Essay Assignments Quizzes B. Grade Scale: 90-92% = A80-82% = B70-72% = C60-62% = DBelow 60% = F
40% (each weighted equally) 30% (includes the research process and the final paper) 15% 15%
93-100% = A 83-86% = B 87-89% = B+ 73-76% = C 77-79% = C+ 63-66% = D 67-69% = D+
C. Plagiarism statement All forms of cheating and plagiarism are prohibited in Christian Studies classes as with all classes at Bluefield College. Plagiarism means that one passes off as his or her own work the work of another. This happens when one quotes (with or without quotation marks) the words or distinctive ideas of a source including books, journal articles, and online materials without giving proper credit. Using material without giving credit will result in a grade of zero for the assignment. In addition, handing in as one's own work materials wholly taken from another source may result in an F for the entire course.
V. Additional Policies and Information: ACE CENTER Bluefield College’s ACE (Academic Center for Excellence) is located on the lowest level of Rish Hall. Mrs. Ashley Mingo, Director of Student Success and Mrs. Brenda Workman, Assistant Director of ACE and the staff of ACE are available to assist with student needs. They connect students with tutors who can guide student learning. Students may contact Brenda Workman in the ACE, at
[email protected], or by phone at 276-326-4220 to set up an appointment with a tutor in the subject where help is needed. A list of tutors is available outside the door of ACE or at the ACE quick-link on myBC. ACE HOURS ACE is open and available for students to use for computers, studying, and individually scheduled tutoring sessions Monday-Friday 7am-10pm and Saturday-Sunday 12pm-5pm. ACE Staff are available Monday-Friday 8:30am-5pm. GRAMMARLY – INSTANT WRITING HELP Anyone with a Bluefield College email address may sign up for a FREE account at Grammarly.com/edu. Visit Grammarly.com/edu and select the sign up button. When prompted, complete the sign up form using your BC email address. An activation link will be mailed to your BC email address and you must use that link to finish your registration. After completing this step your account setup is complete. If you have trouble, please go to the link titled “Instant Writing Help” under the ACE quick link on myBC. Email
[email protected] for additional help with Grammarly. ACE WRITING LAB Students may also receive assistance with most writing assignments by using the ACE Writing Lab for face-to-face appointments or by accessing the ACE Online Writing Lab. Face-to-face writing lab hours will be posted outside the ACE and also on the ACE quick-link. Students may email Brenda Workman (
[email protected]) about connecting with a face-to-face writing tutor if they cannot visit during lab hours. Students may submit essays online using Smarthinking to receive feedback. Use the ACE link in the lower left-hand corner of the myBC homepage and then select the link in the left-hand menu to access the FREE Online Tutoring. Please be sure to plan ahead when using the online writing lab. Students usually receive responses within 24 hours to 48 hours. ACE MATH LAB Students may receive assistance with Math courses through the ACE Math Lab. Math lab hours will be posted outside the ACE and also on the ACE quick-link. Students may email Brenda Workman (
[email protected]) about connecting with a math tutor if they cannot visit during lab hours. STUDENTS WITH DOCUMENTED DISABILITIES
Please notify the instructor at the beginning of this course if you are a student with a documented disability who may require appropriate accommodations in order to be provided the opportunity to fulfill course requirements. More information about disability and academic accommodations can be found on the ACE quick-link under Disability Services. Should you need accommodations, please visit Brenda Workman, Assistant Director of ACE in her office inside the ACE in the lower level of Rish Hall or email her at
[email protected].
Course Evaluation Ongoing course improvement is an important aspect of effective teaching. Tools used to review and improve courses include student course evaluations and feedback. Therefore, students are urged to carefully complete the course evaluation at the end of the course, including comments which explain and give details about strengths and weaknesses of the course. Vocatio Requirements In the Vocatio program students will be required to attend ten chapel (worship) and five convocation (academic) events each semester that will be focused on a set theme related to the general education core of Inquiry, Character, Citizenship and Wellness. Every Wednesday morning at 10:00 a.m. students, faculty, and staff gather for chapel. In order to prepare, Wednesday classes end at 9:45 a.m. Students will not be excused early from 9:00 a.m. classes for participation or leadership in chapel events. Chapel attendance is required and is considered a part of the College’s general education requirements. The attendance policy and schedule of programs are available through the Office of Student Development. Convocation attendance is required. The attendance policy and schedule of programs are available through the Office of Academic Affairs.
Final Examination Policy: Final examinations are scheduled for the last four days of each semester. Examination periods are two hours with breaks of at least 60 minutes between each exam period. Every class meets during its scheduled examination time and attendance is required with the exception of Laboratory examinations that are administered during the last week of the semester, just preceding examination week. Students are expected to take final examinations as scheduled. A student who has more than two examinations during one day of the examination period may petition the relevant faculty for a makeup examination on a different day provided that proof of three final exams on the same day is documented. Students sharing rides must delay departure from the campus until all riders have completed final exams. The detailed examination schedule is located on MyBC.
“I do not try, Lord, to attain your lofty heights, because my understanding is in no way equal to it. But I do desire to understand Your truth a little, that truth that my heart believes and loves. For I do not seek to understand so that I may believe; but I believe so that I may understand. . . . Lord, You who give understanding to faith, grant me that I may understand, as much as You see fit, that You exist as we believe you to exist, and that You are what we believe You to be.” Anselm of Canterbury
VI. Tentative Schedule This schedule is not set in stone. It is subject to change during the course of the semester. I will keep you well informed, but it will be your responsibility to keep up with any changes, including those times when you are absent from class. Additional handouts may also be included in assigned readings. January 14
Introduction to the Course: Mystery, Logos, Economy
January 19
What is Theology?
Stiver 1-40 Wright ix-15
January 21
Authority and Sources for Theology
Stiver 40-58 Wright 17-27
MYSTERY January 26 The Being of God as Absolute Mystery
Handout Wright 29-38
January 28
God’s Self-Revelation - Knowing the Unknowable Stiver 98-103 Wright 39-51
February 2
The Nature of God: The “Attributes” of God Research Assignment
Stiver 105-137 Wright 55-69
LOGOS February 4
The Theology of the Logos
Read Prov. 8:22-36; John 1:1-18; Col. 1:15-20
February 9
Creator of Heaven and Earth
Stiver 163-181
ECONOMY February 11 Human Existence in Christian Perspective First Paper Section Due
Stiver 207-225
February 16
The Problem of Sin
Stiver 225-251
February 18
The Providence of God Test One Due
Stiver 181-206
February 23
Promise and Covenant
Wright 71-89
February 25
Christology – The Person of Christ
Stiver 253-278 Wright 91-103
March 1
Christology
Stiver 279-306
March 3
Atonement – The Work of Christ Research Assignment
Wright 105-119
March 8&10 – Spring Break March 15
Atonement
Stiver 307-325
March 17
The Holy Spirit Second Paper Section
Wright 121-140
March 22
The Triune God
Stiver137-161
March 24
Soteriology – Salvation in Christ
Stiver 325-335
March 29
Soteriology Test Two DUE
Stiver 335-364
March 31
Ecclesiology – The Church
Stiver 365-377 Wright 199-212
April 5
Ecclesiology Research Assignment
Stiver 377-391 Wright 143-153, 159-172
April 7
The Sacraments of the Church
Stiver 391-415 Wright 153-157, 212-215
April 12
Holy Scripture Third Paper Section
Stiver 65-79 Wright 173-197
April 14
Holy Scripture
Stiver 79-98
April 19
The Christian Hope Final Essay Due
Stiver 432-461 Read 1 Corinthians 15
April 26
The Christian Hope
Stiver 461-481
Final Exam: Monday – May 2 @ 11:00 a.m. http://www.bluefield.edu/academics/academic-resources/final-exam-schedule/
