Winter 2018/Pasadena

WS841/541

Johnson

 

WS541/841:  STUDIES IN WORSHIP AND THEOLOGY (4 Units: 172 hours; 6 Units: 380 Hours). Todd E. Johnson.

                                                                                      

 

DESCRIPTION:  This is a doctoral level seminar, open at the 500-level to a limited number of advanced master’s level students by special permission. The phrase Lex Orandi/Lex Credendi, attributed to the fifth-century monk Prosper of Aquitaine, has both described and defined the task of liturgical theology. This task is to define the relationship between the Law of Prayer (Lex Orandi) and the Law of Belief (Lex Credendi). This seminar will survey the history of the relationship between theology and worship and its contemporary expressions within the Christian churches today.

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES:  After successfully completing such a course, a student will have:

     (1) Demonstrated knowledge of the history of liturgical theology and the schools of thought that have developed therein;

 (2) Demonstrated an understanding of general schools of thought and developments on the theology of worship, as well as identify crucial figures, movements, and events in the theology worship and their relevance to contemporary theology and worship;

 (3) Demonstrated skills in reading primary sources in theology and worship and be able to critically evaluate them, both in their original context and in contemporary churches;

 (4) Demonstrated capacities for developing strategies for teaching and learning issues in theology and worship appropriate to a variety of settings; and,

 (5) Developed resources for teaching theology and worship as part of a larger course or as a stand-alone course.

 

COURSE FORMAT:  This class meets once per week for three hour sessions for a total of 30 hours of classroom instruction for lecture and discussion plus 10 hours of directed learning activities for a total of 40 instructional hours. It will have some lectures by the professor, but will be mostly discussions and seminar presentations.

 

REQUIRED READING: WS541: 1600 pp. assigned. WS841: 2580 pp. assigned

Course Reader. (on eReserves found on Canvas) [385 pp. required for WS541; 975 pp. required for WS841].

Ellis, Christopher. Gathering: A Theology and Spirituality of Worship in the Free Church Tradition. SCM Press, 2010. ISBN: 978-0334029670, Pub. Price $56.00 [260 pp.; 160 pp. assigned WS541].

Hughes, Graham, Worship as Meaning: A Liturgical Theology for Late Modernity. Cambridge, 2003. ISBN: 978-0521535571, Pub. Price $51.00 [300 pp.].

Johnson, Maxwell. Praying and Believing in Early Christianity: The interplay between Christina Worship and Doctrine. Michael Glazier, 2013. ISBN: 978-0814682593, Pub. Price $19.95 [130 pp. WS841 only].

Luhrmann, T.H.  When God Talks Back: Understanding the American Evangelical Relationship with God. Vintage, 2012. ISBN: 978-0307277275, Pub. Price $15.95 [325 pp.; 165 pp. assigned WS541]

Muir, Edward. Ritual in Early Modern Europe, Second Edition. Cambridge University Press, 2005. ISBN: 978-0521602402, Pub. Price $43.99 [290 pp.].

Vogel, D., ed. Primary Sources of Liturgical Theology: A Reader. Liturgical Press, 2000. ISBN: 978-0814661789, Pub. Price $49.95 [200 pp. assigned].

Zimmerman, Joyce A. Liturgy and Hermeneutics. Liturgical Press, 1999. ISBN: 978-0814624975, Pub. Price $9.95 [100 pp.].

 

RECOMMENDED READING:

Crainshaw, Jill. Wise and Discerning Hearts: An Introduction to Wisdom Liturgical Theology. Pueblo, 2000. ISBN: 978-0814661826, Pub. Price $32.95.

Kavanagh, Aidan. On Liturgical Theology. Pueblo Pub. Co., 1984. ISBN: 978-0814660676, Pub. Price $29.95.

Lathrop, Gordon. Holy Things. Fortress, 1993. ISBN: 978-0800631314, Pub. Price $29.00.

Saliers, Donald. Worship as Theology: Foretaste of Glory Divine. Abingdon, 1994. ISBN: 978-0687146932, Pub. Price $27.00.

Schmemann, Alexander. Introduction to Liturgical Theology. SVS Press, 1986. ISBN: 978-0913836187, Pub. Price $20.00.

 

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

 

WS541:

1. Completion of assigned readings, participation in our class discussions and attendance. (20% of grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-5.] [130 hours, including 30 hours of class time].
2. Two short (2-3 page) papers reflecting on assigned readings. (20% of grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-3.] [6 hours].
3. A half-hour long oral presentation to the class in which the student defines his or her theology of worship and methodology of liturgical theology and its pastoral application. The student is expected to draw upon course materials, life experiences, and scriptures in this assignment. (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-5.] [12 hours, including 10 hours of DLAs].
4. A 2,500-3,000 word final paper in which the student defines his or her theology of worship and methodology of liturgical theology and its pastoral application. The student is expected to draw upon course materials, life experiences, and scriptures in this assignment. (40%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-5.] [24 hours].

 

WS841

1. Completion of assigned readings, participation in our class discussions and attendance. (10% of grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-5.] [195 hours including 30 hours of class time].

2. Six short (2 page) papers reflecting on assigned readings. (20% of grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #2-4.] [30 hours, including 10 hours of DLAs].
3. Either (a) an entire syllabus of a Liturgical Theology class (College or beyond); or, (b) a rough draft of the syllabus of a theology or worship class (College or beyond) with a detailed section on liturgical theology. In both cases you must include: learning outcomes, class topics, and readings. (10% of grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #2-5.] [25 hours].
4. An hour long presentation to the class (including leading class discussion in response to their presentation) on a specific theologian’s understanding of the relationship between theology and worship.  Students are expected to develop a handout to accompany their presentation.  In the presentation they should include the historical context and theological influence on the theologian, the particular model of liturgical theology in question, and a bibliography of primary and secondary sources.  Doctoral students are expected to make evaluative comments on the value of this theologian’s thought. (20% of grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-5.] [60 hours].
5. A 20 page final paper in which a particular theologian’s understanding of the relationship between worship and theology is described and assessed according to the philosophical integrity of their cosmology, the internal consistency of their thought, its compatibility with scripture and tradition, and its pastoral application within particular Christian traditions. (40% of grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-5.] [70 hours].

 

PREREQUISITES:  For master’s level students: permission of the instructor.

 

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:  WS541: Elective. WS841: Meets a Worship and Preaching requirement.

 

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.