Spring 2013/Pasadena

DP508

Wallace

DP508: BAPTIST DOCTRINE, HISTORY, AND POLITY. Robert B. Wallace.

DESCRIPTION: This course will offer an introduction to the history of Baptists and will explore the Anabaptist, English Congregational and missiological roots of the Baptist movement, early confessional statements, and issues of doctrine and polity that define Baptists today. Students will be introduced to Baptist identity as expressed in its different communities. Polity discussions will focus on the authority of Scripture, the autonomy of the local church, the association principle, soul competence, the role of the clergy, priesthood of believers and ministry of the laity, separation of Church and state, and the two ordinances. We will also examine standards and procedures for ordination in the Baptist tradition.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Satisfactory completion of the course will provide the student with necessary formation, along with other aspects of theological education, for Baptist ministry in its many forms, and for ordination.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have demonstrated that they are (1) conversant with Baptist history; (2) recognize several historic Baptist leaders and their contributions to Baptist life and witness; (3) understand Baptist principles and be able to articulate their position on them; (4) are acquainted with recent developments within Baptist churches; and (5) make progress toward meeting ordination requirements. The course will also include a module that will review mandated reporting laws for clergy and a module that will provide dialogue with denominational leaders.

COURSE FORMAT: The course will meet for three-hour sessions once a week for lectures, discussion and creative exercises that will engage Baptist principles. Students will be expected to have read assigned texts that will prepare them for the class sessions.

REQUIRED READING:

Freeman, Curtis, J.W. McClendon Jr., and V. Da Silva. Baptist Roots: A Reader in the Theology of a Christian People. Judson Press, 1999. ISBN: 978-0817012816, Pub.price $23.99 [436 pp.].

Leonard, B. J. Baptist Ways: A History. Judson Press, 2003. ISBN: 978-0817012311, Pub.price $30.00 [480 p.].

Maring, N. H. and W. S. Hudson. A Baptist Manual of Polity and Practice. Rev. ed. Judson Press, 1991. ISBN: 978-0817011710, Pub.price $9.60 [286 pp.].

Shurden, Walter B. The Baptist Identity. Smyth and Helwys, 1993. ISBN: 978-1880837207, Pub.price $15.00 [119 pp].