TS503: Syllabus page 3
TS503 Syllabus Professor: Kyle A. Roberts
Summer Quarter, 2011 Phone: 651-638-6166
Bethel Seminary Email:
InMinistry TA Name: Brianna Kocka
TA Email:
Systematic Theology III
Course Description:
A study of the person of the Holy Spirit and the application of the gift of salvation to the individual through the Spirit’s work, as well as a reflection on God’s purposes and activity in the church and in the culmination of history.
Course Objectives:
By the end of the course, each student will be able to:
1. Reflect critically on theological ideas and writings within each student’s own framework of Christian faith commitments.
2. Listen empathetically, openly and critically to ideas and arguments of others.
3. State the fundamental issues involved in the theology of the Holy Spirit, the doctrine of salvation, the doctrine of the church, and eschatology.
4. Explain how the aforementioned doctrines are inter-related, both with each other and with other core theological doctrines (from Systematic Theology I and II).
5. Employ biblical, rational, imaginative, and doctrinally faithful reasoning to current issues in church and society.
6. Articulate ways in which they can move from Scripture to theology and back again
7. Continue to formulate their own present theological methodologies and theologies of spirit, church, salvation and the world to come.
8. Develop a personal vision for cultivating a theological mind saturated in the Gospel.
9. Love and know God better by the power of the Spirit and because of the work of God in Christ.
Required Textbooks:
Grenz, Stanley. Theology for the Community of God. Eerdmans, 2000. ISBN: 9780802847553
Wright, N. T. Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the
Church. HarperOne, 2008. ISBN: 0061551821
Pinnock, Clark. Flame of Love: A Theology of the Holy Spirit. IVP Academic, 1999. ISBN:
0830815902
Harper, Brad and Paul Metzger. Exploring Ecclesiology: An Evangelical and Ecumenical
Introduction. Brazos Press, 2009. ISBN: 9781587431739
Additional Required Readings (Provided by Instructor on Moodle):
Hilborn, David and Don Horrocks, “Universalism and Evangelical Theology: An Historical
Theological Perspective, Evangelical Theological Review, (2006) 30:3, 196-218.
Libañio, Joao Batista, “Hope, Utopia, Resurrection,” in Mysterium Liberationis: Fundamental Concepts of Liberation Theology, Ignacio Ellacuria and Jon Sobrino, eds., pp. 717-727.
Martin, Joan M. “A Sacred Hope and Social Goal: Womanist Eschatology,” in Liberating Eschatology, Margaret A. Farley and Serene Jones, eds., pp. 209-225.
Isasi-Diaz, Ana Maria. “Mujerista Narratives: Creating a New Heaven and a New Earth,” in Liberating Eschatology, Margaret A. Farley and Serene Jones, eds., pp. 227-239.
Phelps, Jamie T. 2000. "Communion ecclesiology and Black liberation theology." Theological Studies 61, no. 4: 672-699.
Roberts, Kyle. “Eschatology and Hope,” in Dictionary of Christian Spirituality, Zondervan, 2011 (forthcoming).
Russell, Letty. “Encountering the ‘Other’ in a World of Difference and Danger,” Harvard Theological Review, 99.4 (Oct 2006): p 457 ff.
Recommended Texts:
Moltmann, Jürgen. Coming of God: Christian Eschatology. Augsburg, 2004. ISBN 080063666X
Welker, Michael. God the Spirit. Augsburg, 1994. ISBN 0800627660
Miscellaneous
· Inclusive Language. In accordance with Bethel Seminary policy, gender inclusive language should be used in class discussions and papers.
· Communication Expectations: If you have questions or concerns about the content or processes of the course, you may email, at any time, the professor and/or the course TA. You should expect to hear a reply within 48 hours (unless it is during a weekend or unless the professor has notified the class to expect otherwise). There will also be a “Q&A” forum on Moodle. You may post your questions there as well.
· Attendance policy. In accordance with the Bethel Catalog policy, regular, consistent participation online and class attendance during the entire intensive is required. Unexcused absences during the intensive will result in a deduction of one half to one full letter grade for each four-hour class session missed.
· Classroom etiquette. Please turn off or silence cell phones prior to entering the classroom. In order to promote full class participation, audio or video recording is prohibited unless approved beforehand.
· Academic Course Policies: Please familiarize yourself with the catalog requirements as specified in Academic Course Policies document found on the Registrar's website at: https://bethelnet.bethel.edu/ureg/bssp/acp/. You are responsible for this information, and any academic violations, such as plagiarism, will not be tolerated.
· Late Work Policy. In accordance with the Bethel catalog and standard of expectations regarding submission of work, all assignments are expected to be submitted on or before the date listed in the syllabus. Late submissions may be accepted but they will be subject to grade deductions of up to one letter grade per each day late. This means that a late assignment which otherwise would merit an A might receive a B, a B could go to a C, etc.
· Accessibility. Please contact the instructor as soon as possible if disability-related accommodations are needed. Accommodations for students with documented disabilities are set up through the office of Disability Services. Contact Disability Services at 651-638-6833. You may visit www.bethel.edu/disability for further, detailed information.
Course Requirements
Online Participation (20%)
Numerous times during the quarter a discussion forum will be open for interacting with the required texts and the other material posted by the professor. The professor will begin the discussion with a series of questions or comments to begin the discussion.
Every student is expected to spend at least two hours interacting with the forum; this includes reading the professor’s question, reflection on the issues, and responding to one another’s comments. Each student should post an initial substantive reflection, responding directly to the question presented for each forum. The initial post is due on Friday (midnight) of the week the discussion takes place. All follow-up contributions to other student posts are due on Monday (midnight) of the same week (see course schedule at end of syllabus). No late contributions to discussion posts are accepted after the week in which the discussion takes place.
Each weekly discussion forum contributions are graded out of a 5-point scale (5=excellent, 4=good, 3=acceptable, 2=unacceptable/failing, 1=unacceptable/failing, 0=no contribution).
Attendance
As per the attendance policy listed above (in Miscellaneous), unexcused absences during the intensive may result in a deduction of one half to one full letter grade for each four-hour class session missed.
Course Evaluation
Student course assessments are an important part of course development and enhancement. In order to recognize the value of your input and to encourage you to provide that input. Completing the course evaluation at the end of this course is included as a component of class participation. While your responses are anonymous, failure to submit an electronic evaluation will reduce your course grade by 2%. For any questions regarding the course evaluation process, please go to: https://bethelnet.bethel.edu/ureg/bssp/eval_index.
N.T Wright Eschatology Response Paper (20%)
Write a 5-7 page (1250-1750 word, double-spaced) review and reflection on N.T. Wright’s Surprised by Hope. You should summarize his main argument/thesis (in no more than one and a half page) and then reflect on his book with a particular focus on these questions: (1) Is Wright’s argument/thesis convincing? Why or why not? (2) If one were to accept Wright’s general framework as a way of understanding biblical eschatology, what would be the greatest implications for you personally and for the vocation/mission of the church? Related to that, what kinds of changes, both practically and theologically, would be called for?
*Note: If you’ve already read Wright’s text before this class, you may choose to write your review on another eschatology text you haven’t read. Consult the professor for approval and options.
Grading Criterion:
The grade for this assignment (out of a 100% scale) will be based on:
(1) Substantive content
a. Does the paper reflect an in-depth knowledge of and familiarity with Wright’s text (be sure to cite specific references from Wright’s text in your paper)
b. Does the paper reflect an ability to both empathetically and critically analyze the text and to employ theological reasoning in so doing?
c. Does the paper reveal imagination in applying insights of the text to one’s own situation?
(2) Clarity and quality of writing
a. Is the paper thoughtfully constructed? Does it reflect a linear outline, coherent paragraphs, with a strong conclusion?
b. Is the paper well written? Is it concise in expression, clear in communication, and correct in grammar, spelling and syntax?
Contextual Perspective Research Paper: 30%
For this paper, you will be required to research a contemporary issue in the fields of either pneumatology or ecclesiology, in particular involving explicitly contextual perspectives (the professor will explain what this means). In other words, you should pursue knowledge of theological issues concerning the Spirit or the Church from theologians who occupy different (from Euro-American white, male Protestant perspectives) racial, social, gender, and denominational perspectives. You may select any combination thereof—though at least one of these “differences” should be present in the major theologian or theologians you research. This paper should be between 2500-3000 words (10-12 pages, double-spaced).
The key components needed in this paper include:
(1) A detailed summary of the theological perspective of the theologian or theologians you are exploring. This summary needs to come directly from your engagement with their own writings (primary source material), not from secondary interpretations of their theology by other authors.
2) An analysis of the most salient, important and challenging aspects of their perspective. This should include both positive, constructive appreciation for their theology as well as incisive critique (what may be lacking, overstated, inadequate, etc.) in their theology (you may draw on secondary interpretations of their theology in your research here).
(3) An appropriation or application of their theology to your own personal spiritual formation and understanding of Christian leadership and your own vocational/ministry preparation.
Alternative Assignment:
For those of you pursuing ordination in a particular denomination, you may choose to write a research paper on a pertinent, current (or recent) ecclesiological issue within that denomination. If you choose this alternative assignment, contact the professor beforehand to discuss your rationale, plan and expectations for this assignment. Word range and page number range remain the same as above.
Grading Criterion:
Communication (Ethos): 10 points
Does the paper contain:
- Clear introductions and conclusions to each major section?
- A logical, coherent and consistent argument?
- A clear, concise and lucid presentation? (includes spelling, grammar, and syntax)
- A summary (even if tentative) conclusion supported by the argument
-
Content (Logos): 10 points
Does the paper demonstrate:
- Knowledge of the doctrine and issue(s) raised in the paper?
- Adequate understanding of theologies or theologians presented?
- Facility in interpretation and theological use of relevant Biblical passages
- Ability to reason critically, analyze carefully and reflect holistically
Constructiveness (Pathos): 10 points
Does the paper reveal:
- Concern about the relevance of the issue/doctrine for one’s personal, spiritual transformation?
- Concern about the relevance of the issue/doctrine for one’s vocation in the Church and for one’s ministry in the world?
- An appreciation and concern for the traditions and tasks of theology?
Credo Paper: 30% (30 points)
Credo in Latin means I believe. The purpose of this final, integrative paper is to provide
students an opportunity to explore, gather, and formulate your current beliefs regarding the
three major doctrinal components of the Christian faith covered in this course (1)
Pneumatology (the Holy Spirit), (2) Ecclesiology (the church) and (3) Eschatology (God’s future for creation).
You may use the basic categories found in systematic theologies (such as Grenz’s), but are
not to simply repeat those conclusions. Rather, you should approach the assignment through an integrative theological method (I hope to teach and model such a method in this course) and with a view to the personal significance of these doctrines for your spiritual transformation and ministry vocation. Your paper should be 8-10 pages, double-spaced (or approximately 1000-1250 words).
Instructions:
1. First 2-3 pages: lay out your “statement of faith” on the main themes of this course.
2. Second 3-4 pages: analyze the interdependence of these themes: for example, How does the doctrine of the Holy Spirit impact your ecclesiology?
3. Last 3-4 pages: how do the doctrines that you have explored in this course and come to convictions about integrate into your life and ministry? How do these integrate with other courses you have taken in seminary?
Grading Criterion:
Communication (Ethos): 10 points
Does the paper contain:
- Clear introductions and conclusions to each major section?
- A logical, coherent and consistent argument?
- A clear, concise and lucid presentation? (includes spelling, grammar, and syntax)
- A summary (even if tentative) conclusion supported by the argument
-
Content (Logos): 10 points
Does the paper demonstrate:
- Knowledge of the doctrine and issue(s) raised in the paper?
- Adequate understanding of theologies or theologians presented?
- Facility in interpretation and theological use of relevant Biblical passages
- Ability to reason critically, analyze carefully and reflect holistically
Constructiveness (Pathos): 10 points
Does the paper reveal:
- Concern about the relevance of the issue/doctrine for one’s personal, spiritual transformation?
- Concern about the relevance of the issue/doctrine for one’s vocation in the Church and for one’s ministry in the world?
- An appreciation and concern for the traditions and tasks of theology?
Note: This assignment has been identified as a required integrative assignment that you may wish to review and reference in future integrative coursework.
Instructions for submitting papers:
· On all your papers, please include a cover sheet with the following information: Your name, the date, and the title of the paper. Please use only Times 12-point font, 1-inch margins, and Chicago or Turabian style formatting. (Cf. The Chicago Manual of Style. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2003.; Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations: Chicago Style for Students and Researchers. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2007.) Note: If you are an MFT student, you may use APA format. Please notify the professor if this exception applies to you.