Summer 2006/Pasadena
Two-week Intensive: July 3-14
DP502
Heitzenrater
DP502: UNITED METHODIST DOCTRINE. Richard P. Heitzenrater.
DESCRIPTION: This course is an examination of the formation, development, and
current expressions of United Methodist doctrine (teachings of the church) and
theology (critical and constructive reflections on those teachings).
COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: This course is designed to help students
learn the development of Methodist doctrine from the eighteenth century to the
present. As a result of taking this course, the student will understand the
current doctrinal standards of the United Methodist Church and be able to
reflect that doctrinal heritage in preaching, teaching, and ministering within
the context of current theological reflection in the Christian community.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Completion of this course is required for ordination
in the United Methodist Church. The course is also designed to enable personal
theological formation that will help equip the student for mission and
ministry.
COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet daily for four-hour sessions of lecture and
discussion, five days per week for two weeks.
REQUIRED READING:
- Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church. United
Methodist Publishing House, 2004.
- Heitzenrater, Richard P. The Elusive Mr. Wesley. Nashville:
Abingdon, 2003.
- Langford, Thomas A. Practical Divinity. Vol. 1. Nashville: Abingdon,
1998.
- Maddox, Randy L. Responsible Grace: John Wesley's Practical
Theology. Nashville: Kingswood, 1994.
- Outler, Albert C., and Richard P. Heitzenrater, eds. John Wesley's
Sermons: An Anthology. Nashville: Abingdon, 1991.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Abraham, William J. Waking from Doctrinal Amnesia.
Nashville: Abingdon, 1995.
- Gunter, Stephen W., et al. Wesley and the Quadrilateral. Nashville:
Abingdon, 1997.
- Heitzenrater, Richard P. The Poor and the People Called Methodists.
Nashville: Abingdon, 2002.
- Jones, Scott. Methodist Doctrine: The Extreme Center. Nashville:
Abingdon. 2002.
- Langford, Thomas A. Doctrine and Theology in the United Methodist
Church. Nashville: Abingdon. 1991.
- Maddox, Randy. Rethinking Wesley's Theology for Contemporary
Methodism. Nashville: Kingswood, 1998.
- Meeks, M. Douglas. What Should Methodists Teach? Wesleyan Tradition in
Modern Diversity. Nashville: Kingswood, 1990.
- Outler, Albert C. Theology in the Wesleyan Spirit. Discipleship
Resources, 1975.
- Runyan, Theodore. The New Creation: John Wesley's Theology Today.
Nashville: Abingdon, 1998.
ASSIGNMENTS: Class attendance and participation are required (10% of grade).
Students should read Part II of the Book of Discipline before the
class begins. Assignments from the required textbooks will constitute most
of the reading for the term. Students are encouraged to choose additional
reading from the Recommended Reading list and will be asked to report on one
selection during the class (20%). There will be an hour exam (30%) on the first
Friday and a final exam at the end (40%), based on assigned readings and class
lectures.
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective. (Fulfills United Methodist disciplinary
requirement in Doctrine for ordination.)
FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.