Winter 2006/Pasadena
DP526
Martínez

DP526: ANABAPTIST HISTORY, THEOLOGY, AND CHURCH POLITY. Juan F. Martínez.


DESCRIPTION: This course provides an overview of the origins and development of Anabaptism as a movement and a theological understanding. It invites students to consider the various steams of Anabaptist thought and to consider the relevance of Anabaptism in Mennonite churches today, its place within the wider Christian movement, and its missional role in the world.

COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: In this reading course students will:

  1. Understand the role of Anabaptism as a renewal movement in sixteenth-century Europe.

  2. Become familiar with the thought, context, and influence of leading Anabaptist figures.

  3. Understand the development of the major theological themes within Anabaptism.

  4. Develop a critical working knowledge of Anabaptism and connect it to the church's mission today.

  5. Evaluate the place of Anabaptist history and theology in pastoral ministry within Mennonite churches today.

  6. Reflect on the role, office, and function of pastoral leadership in Anabaptist/Mennonite churches today.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Students who are preparing for ministry in Anabaptist/Mennonite churches need to reflect on the role and relevance of Anabaptist history and theology for their work.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet once a week for three-hour sessions. Classes will include lectures, student presentations, group discussions, and video presentations. One of the class sessions will be with Jeff Wright, Regional Conference Minister of the Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference, dealing with MCUSA polity and ordination issues.

REQUIRED READING:
Bender, Thomas. The Anabaptist Vision. Herald Press, 1944.

Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective. Herald Press, 1995.*

Fahrer, Walfred. Building on the Rock: A Biblical Vision of Being Church Together from an Anabaptist-Mennonite Perspective. Herald Press, 1995.

Mennonite Polity for Ministerial Leadership. Faith and Life Press, 1996.*

Snyder, C. Arnold. Anabaptist History and Theology: An Introduction. Pandora Press, 1995.

*Non-MCUSA students may substitute similar texts from their denominational traditions.

WORKS FOR REFERENCE AND REVIEW
Driver, Juan. Images of the Church in Mission. Herald Press, 1997.

_________. Radical Faith: An Alternative History of the Christian Church. Herald Press, 1999.

Dyck, Cornelius. Introduction to Mennonite History. Herald Press, 1993.

Finger, Thomas. A Contemporary Anabaptist Theology: Biblical, Historical, Constructive. InterVarsity Press, 2004.

Friedmann, Robert. The Theology of Anabaptism. Herald Press, 1973.

Klaassen, Walter, Anabaptism in Outline. Herald Press, 1981.

Williams, George. The Radical Reformation. Truman State University Press, 2000.

ASSIGNMENTS: (1) Attendance and participation in the class sessions (10%). (2) Four two-page reflection papers (10% each paper - 40%). (3) Research paper of 10-12 pages (30%). (4) Reflection paper responding to MCUSA-PSMC ordination requirement question (20%). Students not working on MCUSA ordination may answer the questions in reference to their own denomination or work on a substitute assignment approved by the professor.

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Pastoral Ministry & Theology (MIN6).

FINAL EXAMINATION: No.