Fall 2014/Fuller Online

YF518

Donatucci

YF518: ANCIENT-FUTURE DISCIPLESHIP (4 Units: 160 Hours). Ray Donatucci.

DESCRIPTION: The Apostles’ Creed uniquely teaches the theological basis for both faith and ministry and therefore offers an effective template to educate, inspire, and empower those ministering. We will look at each of the Creed’s tenets in order to understand what they affirm and how these affirmations might inform our lives and ministries.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: At the completion of this class students will have demonstrated that they (1) have an introductory knowledge of the history and theology of the Apostles’ Creed; (2) can identify a range of questions that might be addressed to particular tenets of the Apostles’ Creed and to explore the application of these questions to particular contemporary issues and ministries; (3) can identify significant, critical resources for the study of the Apostles’ Creed and deploy those sources critically in spiritual formation; and (4) can read and apply the Apostles’ Creed in ways that foster faithful Christian practice.

COURSE FORMAT: This course will be conducted online on a ten-week schedule aligned with Fuller’s academic calendar for a total of 40 instructional hours, which is outlined below in the assignment and assessment section. Students are required to interact with the material, with each other, and with the instructor regularly through online discussions, reading, and other assignments that promote active learning. The course involves reading, writing, use of libraries and other resources, and interactive discussion. Each week students and the instructor will interact with the material through journaling, threaded discussion forums, and web-based research.

REQUIRED READING: A maximum of 1,186 pages taken from the following:

Briscoe, Stuart. The Apostles’ Creed: Beliefs That Matter. Harold Shaw Publishers, 1984. ISBN: 978-0877880523, Pub. Price $8.99 [249 pp.]. ***Out of Print

Cannata, Raymond F., and Reitano, Joshua D. The Apostles’ Creed: Rooted. Doulos Resources, 2013. ISBN: 978-1937063924, Pub. Price $12.95 [142 pp.]

Gonzalez, Justo L. The Apostles’ Creed for Today. Westminster John Knox, 2007. ISBN: 978-0664229337, Pub. Price $13.00 [93 pp.].

Johnson, Luke Timothy. The Creed: What Christians Believe and Why It Matters. Doubleday, 2005. ISBN: 978-0385502481, Pub. Price $15.99 [297 pp.].

McGrath, Allister. “I Believe”: Exploring the Apostles’ Creed. InterVarsity Press, 1997. ISBN: 978-0830819461, Pub. Price $15.00 [113 pp.].

Van Harn, Roger E, ed. Exploring and Proclaiming the Apostles’ Creed. Eerdmans, 2004. (This is a collection of essays on the Creed from various authors representing a wide variety of theological and racial/socio-economic positions.) ISBN: 978-0802821201, Pub. Price $28.00 [292 pp.].

ASSIGNMENTS & ASSESSMENT: 

  1. Please specify instruction hours with class activities such as video lectures, presentations and other online resources) [20 hours].

  2. Regular and timely participation in 10 online reflections (250 words) on the readings [1 hour/week=10 hours] (10%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome #3 and #4].

  3. 10 Forum entries in response to others’ posts (250 words). [1 hour/week= 10 hours] (10%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome #3 and #4].

  4. Completion of Required Readings [6 hours/week = 60 hours] (25%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1].

  5. Summarize one big idea from each of the required readings. [10 hours] (5%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1 and #2].

  6. Three 3-page papers (One on each of 3 articles in the Apostles’ Creed applying them to the specific cultural, developmental, and/or theological trends in your ministry [10 hours/paper = 30 hours] (30%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2, #3 and #4].

  7. A 10-page ministry-plan to use the Apostles’ Creed in spiritual formation. Based on what you have learned from this course, describe how you will use the Apostles’ Creed in your ministry. [20 hours] (20%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, #2, #3 and #4].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective. Option to count in the Youth, Family, and Culture emphasis.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None


NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. Textbook prices are set by publishers and are subject to change.

For your convenience, order these texts online through the Archives Bookshop.