Syllabus
“BUILDING THE POWER OF THE PEOPLE:
THE BIBLE AS TEXTBOOK
FOR URBAN TRANSFORMATION”
Claremont School of Theology
MS 380
Dr. Robert Linthicum Craig 106 and First
Spring Semester, 2006 Presbyterian Church
Intensive Course of Pomona
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Perhaps the most profound and comprehensive study of the nature and practice of power is found in the Bible – an analysis superior to any secular study today. This course will use the Bible as its primary textbook to understand how power works in the worlds of politics, business, education, social services and religion – both in its legitimate exercise to empower the people and in its illegitimate exercise to maintain the dominant establishments at the expense of the people. Further, the scriptures will be examined to enable students to organize their congregations to use power relationally in order to bring about political, economic, social and spiritual transformation through their church and community.
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Brueggemann, Walter, Peace (St. Louis, MO.: Chalice Press, 2001)
Chambers, Edward, Roots for Radicals: Organizing for Power, Action and Justice (London: Continuum Press, 2003)
Gecan, Michael, Going Public: An Organizer’s Guide to Citizen Action NY: Anchor Books, Random House, 2002)
Linthicum, Robert. Building A People of Power: Equipping Churches to Transform Their Communities (Waynesboro, GA: Authentic/World Vision Press, 2006)
Wink, Walter. The Powers That Be: Theology for a New Millennium (NY: Doubleday, 1998)
RECOMMENDED TEXTS:
Brueggemann, Walter. Hope Within History (Atlanta: Westminster John Knox Press, 1987)
Greider, William. Who Will Tell the People: The Betrayal of American Democracy (NY: Simon and Schuster, 1994)
Jacobsen, Dennis. Doing Justice: Congregations and Community Organizing (Phila.: Fortress Press, 2001)
Linthicum, Robert C. Transforming Power: Biblical Strategies for Making A Difference in Your Community (Downers Grove, IL.: InterVarsity Press, 2003)
Sachs, Jeffrey D. The End of Poverty: Economic Possibilities for Our Time (NY: The Penguin Press, 2005)
Winter, Bruce W., Seek the Welfare of the City: Christians as Benefactors and Citizens Grand Rapids, MI.: Eerdmans, 1994)
OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
- Evaluate out of a biblical perspective the society in which she/he is working;
- Critique the institutions of that society from that biblical perspective;
- Grasp biblical principles of building and using relational power that can be carried out to bring about political and economic transformation within that society;
REQUIREMENTS:
- Attend and participate fully in each class session.
- Complete all reading assignments, prepare the appropriate reaction papers and participate in class discussion about those readings.
- Complete a paper on a biblically based social analysis of the organization of the student’s choice.
- Complete a major paper.
- Bring a Bible to each class session.
SCHEDULE: (Jan. 20, Feb. 10, Mar. 31 & Apr. 28 are 6:30-9:30 p.m.; Feb. 11 & Apr. 1 are 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.)
Jan. 20: Introduction to the Course; Begin with the Groans: Craig 106
Feb. 10: The Shalom Community: God’s Plan for Your City: First Pomona
Feb. 11: The Shalom Community Throughout the Scripture: First-Pomona
Evil Is More Than Personal: A Biblical Social Analysis
Systems and Structures; Principalities and Powers
Reaction Papers on Brueggemann and Wink Books
Mar. 31: What Was Jesus Really Trying to Accomplish? A
Power Examination of the Four Gospels First-Pomona
Apr. 1: A Theology of Salvation and Power First-Pomona
Working for the Shalom of the City: The Church’s
Call to Mission and Power
Nehemiah’s Principles for Empowering People for Change
Reaction Papers on Chambers and Linthicum Books
Social Analysis Paper Due
Apr. 28: Using Power to Bring About Change: St. Paul’s Example Craig 106
Jesus is Caesar: St. Paul’s Theology of Public Life
Reaction Paper on Gecan Book
Major Paper Due
ASSIGNMENTS:
Reaction Papers:
Each student will write a reaction paper on each required book that student reads. Each paper is to be submitted to the instructor in conformity to the schedule posted in the syllabus schedule. A reaction paper is a well-written paper of 3 to 5 pages, typed and double spaced, that includes the following:
· Author, title and purpose of the book
· What is the book about?
· What did you gain from reading this book?
· What is your reaction to what you learned? Was it valuable, informative, a waste of time? Why?
· What is the relevance of the book to the course (note: this last element is what most students tend to leave out. Don’t!)
Social Analysis Paper:
Develop a 4-8 page paper, using the biblical social analysis given in the February 10 and 11 sessions to analyze a formal organization of your choice (for example, a church, community group, mission agency, regional judicatory or denomination, city government agency, state or federal agency, academic institution, etc.). Submit completed paper no later than April 1.
Major Paper:
Develop a 10-20 page paper on one of the following topics:
(1) Using the biblical social analysis presented in this course to exegete a passage of scripture of your choice not covered in this course;
(2) Exploring a person of the Bible not examined in this course, tracing how he or she used relational power to further the coming of the shalom community or kingdom of God in his community, city or nation;
(3) How you would address an issue or concern within your ministry, work or community context based upon what you have learned in class;
(4) How power principles learned in this course would affect the way you would go about providing leadership to a church or Christian community;
(5) Formulate and defend your own theology of power.
The paper will be due at the beginning of the final session of the class – April 28.
INSTRUCTOR CONTACT:
Dr. Robert Linthicum Phone: (909) 982-3676
1236 Fairway Circle Home Phone: (909) 981-1191
Upland, CA. 91784-1784 Email:
Website: www.rclinthicum.org
Dr. Linthicum is happy to meet with any student any Monday through Friday, between the hours of 9:00 and 5:00 (unless he is traveling) for a conversation over the phone or face-to-face. Please call for an appointment.
(CST MS380 Syllabus.doc)