DESCRIPTION:

This course is designed to enable Reformed Church in America students to gain an understanding of, and appreciation for, the creedal foundation of the RCA that is basic to its unity, ethos, and vision. The creeds will be studied in their individual historical context, their impact on the life of the Reformed Church in America, and their significance for ministry in the world today.

As a creedal church, the RCA approaches its theologizing, its ethical considerations, its proclamation, its church polity, and its sense of unity from the perspectives of its three creedal foundations. A detailed knowledge of the creeds is essential for ministry in the RCA.

The course will meet at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove (Robert Schuller Center, Room 400) on three weekends (April 8-9, April 22-23, and May 13-14). Six major theological themes will be covered; for each, the class will (1) highlight the issues in today's social context to which the selected creedal theme may speak, (2) analyze the theme as expressed in the creeds, (3) reflect on matters in parish ministry where the theme is significant.

Barth, Karl. The Faith of the Church. Meridian, 1958.

Calvin, John. Institutes of the Christian Religion. Westminster, 1960. (Use as reference only.)

Ecumenical Creeds and Reformed Confessions. CRC Publications, 1988.

Plantinga, Cornelius. A Place to Stand. CRC Publications.

Heideman, Eugene. A People in Mission: Their Expanding Dream, and A People in Mission: Their Surprising Harvest. Reformed Church Press, 1984, 1980 (both available in class).

Hesselink, John. On Being Reformed. RCA Distribution Center.

Van Halsema, T. B. Three Men Came to Heidelberg. Christian Reformed Publ. (Available in class.)

Either Harmelink, Herman, III. Ecumenism and the Reformed Church. Eerdmans, 1968.
OR Van Hoeven, James, ed. Piety and Patriotism. Eerdmans, 1976.

1. Read longitudinally through the Standards and Creeds, with attention to the topics to be discussed each weekend, and write a 5-page critical summary of what the creeds say on those themes.

2. Write 6 two-page typed, double-spaced book reviews on Plantinga, Barth, Hesselink, Harmelink-or-Van Hoeven, and Heideman above.

3. Check-off list of supplemental readings, including Van Halsema and two Heideman texts above.

4. Choose 1 major theological theme for reflection: (a) Read longitudinally through the Creeds on 1 major theological theme, and (b) read Calvin's Institutes on that theme and write a 2-page critical summary of what Calvin says about it. (c) Also preach a sermon, or teach a Sunday School lesson, or give a youth Bible study concerning the chosen theme. Hand in the outline and materials used, along with a 1-page REPORT on the preaching/teaching/Bible study experience. OR (in place of "c") Write a 12-pp. typed, double-spaced PAPER developing the theological significance of the chosen theme. Note: either option for "c" should use Scripture, a longitudinal reading of the creeds, and consultation with at least 3 Reformed systematic theologians, including Calvin's Institutes.

5. OR ( in place of "4" above) Write a 15-page, typed, double-spaced personal CREDO, using Scripture, a longitudinal reading of the creeds, and consulting with at least 3 Reformed systematic theologians, including Calvin's Institutes. Include brief remarks on the impact each theme may have in the ministry and mission of the church in the world of this new century.