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SYLLABUS Davisville Church I.

Davisville Bible Institute Module 2 – Knowing God Teacher: Bill Bowles, Ed.D. Fall 2016

COURSE CONTENT A study of the Doctrine of God including the Trinity and the nature, names, and attributes of God. The study will focus on the formation of Bible Doctrine and the use of the Bible in the development of doctrine.

II. OBJECTIVES That the student will: A. Come to know God more fully and more truly. B. Become familiar with the various worldviews that exist, understanding that everyone lives according to a certain perspective produced by a worldview. C. Become familiar with the method of “doing theology.” D. Comprehend the major components of the doctrine of God. 1. Learn and evaluate the main arguments for the existence of God. 2. Appreciate the nature of God revealed by His attributes. 3. Learn the primary names of God. 4. Develop a growing understanding of the plan of God. E. Learn to interpret correctly the Word of God as the basis for doctrine. F. Apply personally the practical and spiritual benefits of correctly handling the Word of God in the formation of Bible doctrine. G. Develop increasing skill in modeling the lifelong spiritual and intellectual growth associated with the study of doctrine. H. Critically evaluate the providential role that God plays in our daily lives by answering the question, what does it mean that God is in control of everything? I. Be able to accurately express, both orally and in written form, the biblical position on each area of the doctrine of God studied in this course. J. Learn about the current issues of evangelicalism concerning the attributes of God such as the Openness debate. III. REQUIREMENTS A. Selected readings from required texts as assigned in the Tentative Class Schedule. Students will keep a reading log to be submitted each class. B. Writing 1. Personal notes from the reading of Genesis 1-4; Exodus 3; Psalm 139. 2. One-to two-page definition and basic meaning of two of the Attributes of God with an application of each. 3. Outline a 20 minute Bible lesson based on one major part of the Doctrine of God. C. Several quizzes will be given during this study. D. Final exam. IV. METHODS A. Classroom: lecture, group discussion, and full class discussion. Students will be expected to prepare for each class session to make the best use of class discussion. B. Grading: Students will be graded on a pass or fail basis.

V. MATERIALS A. Textbooks (Required) 1. Packer, J.I. Knowing God. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1993. (Or 1973 edition) 2. Ryrie, Charles C. Basic Theology. Chicago: Moody Press, 1999. (Or newer edition) B. Bibliography (Additional materials) 1. Enns, Paul. The Moody Handbook of Theology. Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1989. (An introductory theology that includes Biblical Theology, Systematic Theology, and Historical Theology.) 2. Erickson, Millard J. Christian Theology. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1998. (Solid evangelical and Baptistic theology. Considered one of the best larger theologies in the last two decades.) 3. Frame, John. The Doctrine of God. Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed, 2002. (Strong defense of the Reformed view of the doctrine of God by a classical Reformed writer. Readers should not shy away because of the Reformed perspective for this is the most complete doctrine of God written in the last 10 years.) 4. _____________. No Other God. Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed, 2001. (Defense of the traditional view of God against Open Theism) 5. Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1994. (Though containing the authors’ “signs and wonders” perspective, a good combination of solid theology and devotional and worship suggestions. Grudem has brief but helpful bibliographies at the end of each section and an annotated bibliography on pages 12241230.) 6. Hannah, John. Our Legacy. Colorado Springs, CO: 2001. (Brief history of Christian Doctrine and its development by a Dallas Seminary professor and graduate of Philadelphia Biblical University.) 7. Moreland, J.P. and Craig, William Lane. Philosophical Foundations for a Biblical Worldview. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2003. (Christian philosophy and worldview discussion by two of the most recognized scholars in the field.) 8. _____________. Scaling the Secular City. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1987. (Apologetics and Existence of God) 9. Pinnock, Clark, ed. The Openness of God. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 1994. (Defense of Open Theology by one of the chief proponents.) 10. Sanders, John. The God Who Risks. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 1998. (Defense of Open Theology by a writer somewhat to the left of Pinnock.) 11. Schreiner, Thomas and Bruce Ware, ed. Still Sovereign. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2000. (Defense of the traditional view of God against Open Theism from a Baptist-Reformed position.) 12. Sire, James. The Universe Next Door. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 1988. (Very fine treatment of worldviews) 13. Tozer, A.W. The Knowledge of the Holy. Grand Rapids, MI: Reformed Church Publications, 2013. (A powerful but devotional look at God’s attributes) 14. White, James R. The Forgotten Trinity. Grand Rapids, MI: Bethany House, 1998. (One of the few works in the last decade.)

VI.

TENTATIVE CLASS SCHEDULE TOPIC

READING AND ASSIGNMENTS DUE

9/18 Introduction: Purpose and goals for the None course. Theological Method: the process of “doing theology.” 9/25 Can God Be Known? Source (s) of truth Ryrie 4-5; Packer chapters 1-3; Be prepared to discuss about God. General and Special Revelation. how God is known and what can be known about God Theistic Arguments for the existence of Be prepared to discuss: How does the Bible present the God. existence of God? 10/2 Learning to build theology from the text of Packer chapters 4-5; Read Genesis 1-4 at least 5 times Scripture. Contributions to the Doctrine of and list the contributions of these chapters to the God from Genesis 1-4. Doctrine of God with comments and organization. Additional instructions will be given in class. Written assignment. 10/9 Incommunicable Attributes (note the Ryrie 7; Packer chapters 6-8; Study: Psalm 139 (For reversal from Ryrie’s order). this week and the next two weeks you may want to consult an additional work on the attributes of God). Written assignment. 10/16 Communicable Attributes Ryrie 6; Packer chapters 9-13. We will study the contribution of Exodus 3 to the Doctrine of God. Written assignment. 10/23 Complete the attributes and Character of Packer chapters 14-17. What are the biblical evidences God. The nearness (immanence) and for the distance (transcendence) of God? What does it distance (transcendence) of God. mean that God is transcendent? What does immanence mean? Are these in tension? 10/30 Attacks on the Nature and Character of God Packer chapters 18-19; Read one article or one section of a book on the Openness of God Theology and one response to Openness. Suggestions will be made and resources provided in class. 11/6 Trinity and the Names of God Ryrie 8; Packer 20-21 11/13 The work and plan of God, Preservation, Using the Bible study methods and the theological and Providence (The problem of evil) methods studied in this course, present an outline of an original Bible study or message. Additional instructions will be given in class. Written assignment. 11/20 Conclusion, review, discussion, application, Packer chapter 22. Be prepared to share with the class final exam. one key truth you learned in the class.