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 Europe 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 also be related to current developments and programs in the denomination.

Ministry must take place with a thoughtful understanding of where we have come from. Those who seek to serve churches in the Reformed tradition 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 its ideals are the best there have ever been. Understanding the past reminds 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 course meets weekly for three-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, 2004-2005.

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. Midterm Examination.

3. Two brief reflection papers: one dealing with the student's sense of calling, a second analyzing a recent theological position paper approved by the General Assembly.

4. A Final Project: research and reflection paper on a theological issue facing the Presbyterian Church.