DESCRIPTION:

In studying the history of the Presbyterian Church (USA) attention will be given to important persons, ideas, and movements. Study will include the use of primary and secondary sources. The course will trace the roots of Presbyterianism from Scotland to the American colonies and its spread throughout the States. A major focus will be the development of distinctive themes in American Presbyterianism. Main themes in Presbyterian History will be related to current developments and programs in the denomination.

Ministry must take place with a thoughtful understanding of where we have come from. For those who seek to serve in the Reformed tradition we need to know the persons, ideas, and movements that have shaped our understanding of ministry. With a historical perspective it becomes more difficult to believe the world and its values and ideals are the best there have ever been. We need to intimate knowledge of the past to remind us of God's on-going reformation of our present.

This class is participatory in style. It assumes a regular reading of the primary and secondary sources before coming to class. The teaching method will combine lectures, case studies, and group discussion. The class will meet twice a week for two-hour sessions.

James, W. E. and C. H. Zatkin. Tumbling Walls. La Jolla, CA: Diaspora Foundations, 1991.

Kirkpatrick, Clifton and William H. Hooper Jr. What Unites Presbyterians. Louisville: Geneva Press, 1997.

Marsden, George. Reforming Fundamentalism: Fuller Seminary and the New Evangelicalism. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1987.

Presbyterian Program Calendar, 2003-2004.

Presbyterian Understanding and Use of the Holy Scripture. The Office of Theology and Worship, PC (USA), 1992.

Smylie, James H. A Brief History of the Presbyterians. Louisville: Geneva Press, 1996.

Selected articles reprinted in course syllabus.

Longfield, Bradley J. The Presbyterian Controversy. New York: Oxford University Press, 1991.

Parker, T. H. L. Calvin: An Introduction to His Thought. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1995.

Rogers, Jack. Claiming the Center. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1995.

1. Students will be expected to take an active part in class discussion based on prior study of assigned readings.

2. Written responses to case studies and analyses of historical issues.

3. A Final Project: research paper on recent controversy in PCUSA.

None.

Elective.

No.