Summer 2008/Pasadena
Two-week Intensive: July 21 - August 1
CN541
Oliver

CN541: USING THE BIBLE IN SPIRITUAL AND PASTORAL CARE. T. Gordon Oliver.


DESCRIPTION: This course offers an exploration of issues involved in using the Bible in Christian spiritual and pastoral care, such that the dynamics of Scripture are brought into critical and creative relationship with the transformative strategies and actions of practical ministry. It is vital to recognize that the Bible is at least as ready to subvert as it is to affirm the values and practices of pastoral care and counseling. The course is structured around a series of reflections on journeys from alienation, through hatred, to love as a basis for the renewal of Christian reconciliation, discipleship and witness.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: By the end of the course students will have (a) shown understanding of critical issues involved in engaging the Bible and the pastoral care of persons and communities in the same conversation; (b) developed a critical perspective on understanding the Bible text as prophetic theological reflection arising from the experience of the people of God; (c) developed skills in evaluating the implicit and explicit values in their own use of the Bible in spiritual and pastoral care, and in deciding practical strategies for engagement with Scripture as the key "third voice" in the pastoral conversation; and (d) engaged in a reflective theological journey from alienation through hatred to love as a basis for renewal of effective Christian discipleship and witness.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: The mutual isolation between critical Biblical Studies and carefully engaged practical theology served to deprive Biblical Studies from fruitful access to many of the people of God and Practical Theology of the transformative presence of the "word of the Lord" in the pastoral conversation. This course requires practical engagement with Scripture and pastoral care through exploration of one of the most pressing questions of today for the integrity of Christian relationships and the effectiveness of Christian witness.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet in four-hour sessions daily, for two weeks, for lecture presentations, discussions, and individual and group work. Students will be invited to engage with some personal material at the level they are able. Classes require reading preparation and written assignments in preparation for sessions, as well as a final course assignment.

REQUIRED READING: Approximately 980 pages of required reading.

Augsburger, David W. Hate-Work: Working through the Pain and Pleasures of Hate. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2004.

Nouwen, H. The Return of the Prodigal Son. London: Darton, Longman & Todd, 1994.

Oliver, Gordon. Holy Bible, Human Bible: Questions Pastoral Practice Must Ask. London: Darton, Longman & Todd/Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2006.

Volf, Miroslav. The End of Memory: Remembering Rightly in a Violent World. Grand Rapids, Eerdmans, 2006.

Psalms 5, 6, 11, 35, 37, 40, 52, 54, 56, 58, 69, 79, 83, 109, 137, 139, 143.

RECOMMENDED READING: A list of recommended texts will be supplied.

ASSIGNMENTS: (1) Attendance at all classes and completion of preparation and tasks (ungraded but essential). (2) Written critical evaluation of student's own use of the Bible in personal spirituality and pastoral practice (guidance will be given for this). Due July 25 (15%). (3) Written practical theological and personal reflection on two of the "imprecatory" Psalms (guidance will be given for this). Due August 1 (25%). (4) Set essay in response to choice from four questions. Due September 5 (60%).

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets the MDiv core requirement in Pastoral Counseling (MIN 5) and Pastoral Theology core requirement for MA in Pastoral Ministry.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (4/08)