DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to enable students to enter into the theological ethos of the Presbyterian tradition. Reformed theology, culture, and tradition will be studied in its historical context and applied to the contemporary church. Special attention will be given to the Reformed confessions.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: The Book of Confessions has at least two functions within the Presbyterian Church. First, together with the Book of Order, it comprises the constitution, which governs the church's life and mission. Secondly, it is a touchstone for the church's theology, which in turn is the basis for the life and mission of the church. Students preparing for ministry in the Presbyterian Church (USA) need to be familiar with, and appreciative of, their creedal tradition in order to discern their own calling within the Reformed tradition generally and the PC(USA) in particular, as well as to be formed by the wisdom (and aware of the mistakes) of the church's past.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students who successfully complete CH549 will be able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of the theology and beliefs of the Reformed tradition, particularly in relation to the theology and history of the confessions of the Presbyterian Church (USA). They will also be able to understand and articulate doctrinal statements, including their own personal statement of faith of the sort required for candidacy and ordination in the PC(USA). Beyond this, they will be able to interpret the contemporary and pastoral significance of the Reformed tradition and to evaluate theological and ministerial issues in the light of Reformed theology and the Presbyterian confessions.

COURSE FORMAT: Although the course, taught in Spanish, is strongly contextualized to the Latin American reality, for reasons of integration it will maintain close ties with the same material as taught in the course in English. Effort will be made so that a major share of the readings and assignments may be done in Spanish. The readings will be complemented by explanation, reflection, and discussion in class. This course meets one day a week for a three-hour session. It is desirable that students read the Book of Confessions: Study Edition prior to the first class.

REQUIRED READING:

1. Book of Confessions: Study Edition. Westminster John Knox, 1999. ISBN 978-0664500122, $19.95. [340 pp. assigned.] Office of the General Assembly (OGA) Minister Directory; Per Capita; Publications ... Phone: (800) 728-7228; Email: presbytel@pcusa.org; 100 Witherspoon Street Louisville, KY 40202. Available in Spanish at http://oga.pcusa.org/publications/confessions-spanish.pdf.

2. The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.): Part I, Book of Confessions. The Office of the General Assembly, 1991. Also available at http://oga.pcusa.org/publications/boc.pdf. Available in Spanish at http://oga.pcusa.org/publications/boo-spanish.pdf.

3. Berkhof, Louis. Sumario de Doctrina Cristiana. Grand Rapids: Libros Desafio, 2001. ISBN 978-1551-883-4521; $13.35 - to be obtained from the professor, in class (200 pages).

4. Calvino, Juan. Institución de la religión Cristiana, vols. 1-2. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans; Nueva Creación, 1988. ISBN: 0802809081 (ISBN13: 9780802809087); $ 69.75 used.; Calvin, John. Institutes of the Christian Religion. Westminster (2 vols.), 1960 or Eerdmans (1 vol.), 1994; or The Comprehensive Calvin Collection. CD-ROM. Albany, OR: Ages Software, 1988. (Select and read 200 pages on a selected theological topic.)

5. Cervantez-Ortiz, Leopoldo. Juan Calvino, su vida y obra a 500 años de su nacimiento. Barcelona: CLIE, 2009; ISBN 978-84-8267-548-0; $24.99. (Select and read 200 pages.)

6. Berkhof, Hendrikus. Christian Faith. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1979. ISBN: 0-8028-3521-X. paperback $39.84 new; $1.36 used.
   OR McKim, Donald. Introducing the Reformed Faith. Philadelphia: John Knox/Westminster, 2001. ISBN: 0664256449; ISBN-13: 9780664256449; $19.99 paper.
   (Select and read 150 pages on a selected theological topic.)

7. Van Halsema, Thea. Así fue Calvino. Grand Rapids: Libros Desafio, 1998. ISBN-13: 9780939125470; ISBN-10: 0-939125-47-1; $15.00 new (200 pages).

8. Other selected reading explained in class (100 pages).

• Three 3-page critical book reviews of selected reading of numbers 3-5, above;

• Four 1/4-page reading logs of 1, 2, and 6, 7, and 8, above;

• Three 2-page creedal/doctrinal reflections on selected topics or loci, reading all the PCUSA creeds longitudinally concerning the selected loci;

• One (or two) in-class presentation(s) of a personal pastoral case study in Hispanic/Latino ministry with 2-page theological reflection (Note: The number of presentations depends on the size of the class and the available time. Case studies may be selected from http://www.lpts.edu/Academic_Resources/ordexamsnewaccess.asp;

• A 2-page theological reflection written concerning each of the other in-class presentations of a personal pastoral case study, in Hispanic/Latino ministry;

• One 10-page personal Credo (due week 8), summarized into a 1-page statement of faith; due Exam Week.