Winter 2015/Fuller Online

IS501

Burton

 

IS501:  PRACTICE OF WORSHIP (4 Units: 160 hours).  Bryan D. Burton.

                                                                                                                                                           

 

DESCRIPTION:  The course will explore practices oriented toward the formation of GodŐs people through personal and corporate prayer and worship, in light of the Bible, history, theology, cross-cultural studies, and ritual studies.

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES:  Having successfully completed this course, students will have demonstrated the ability to (1) articulate their understanding of the vital relationship between Scripture, prayer, and worship; (2) draw on the churchŐs historical and multi-cultural worship traditions in their own formulation of the nature of personal and corporate prayer and worship; (3) articulate an understanding of how Christian worship worldwide is an embodied social act, embedded in cultures and societies; (4) apply their understanding of the life of personal and corporate prayer and worship to their own lives and the lives of a congregation; and (5) construct a plan for their lives of personal and corporate prayer and worship while a student at Fuller Seminary.

 

COURSE FORMAT:  This course will be conducted online on a ten-week schedule aligned with FullerŐs academic calendar for a total of 40 instructional hours (including 8 hours of small group). 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.

 

REQUIRED READING: 1,100 pages of required reading.

The Holy Bible. CEB, NRSV, and TNIV translations are acceptable [50 pp.].

Bradshaw, Paul. Two Ways of Praying. OSL Publications, 2008. ISBN: 978-1878009593, Pub. Price $19.95 [100 pp.].

Farhadian, Charles E. Christian Worship Worldwide: Expanding Horizons, Deepening Practices. Eerdmans, 2007. ISBN: 978-0802828538, Pub. Price $22.00 [170 pp.].

Foster, Richard and Emilie Griffin, eds., Spiritual Classics: Selected Readings for Individuals and Groups on the Twelve Spiritual Disciplines. HarperOne, 2007. ISBN: 978-0060628727, Pub. Price $16.99 [150 pp.].

Hawn, Michael. Gather into One: Praying and Singing Globally. Eerdmans, 2003. ISBN: 978-080209834, Pub. Price $31.50 [120 pp.].

Peterson, David. Engaging with God: A Biblical Theology of Worship. IVP Academic, 2002. ISBN: 978-0830826971, Pub. Price $26.00 [200 pp.].

Webber, Robert. Ancient-Future Worship: Proclaiming and Enacting GodŐs Narrative. Baker, 2008. ISBN: 978-0801066245, Pub Price $20.00 [192pp].

Witvliet, John. Worship Seeking Understanding: Windows into Christian Practice. Baker, 2003. ISBN: 978-0801026232, Pub. Price $30.00 [320pp.] (2 Case Studies as listed in Assignment/Assessment section #7).

Course Reader [160 pp.] including:

Pederson, A. M. ŇThe nature of embodiment: Religion and science in dialogue.Ó Zygon: Journal of Religion & Science 45:1 (2010): 264-272.

Witvliet, J. ŇThe Cumulative Power of Transformation in Public Worship: Cultivating Gratitude and Expectancy for the Holy SpiritŐs Work.Ó Pages 41-58 in Worship That Changes Lives: Multidisciplinary and Congregational Perspectives on Spiritual Transformation. Edited by Alexis D. Abernethy. Baker, 2008.

 

RECOMMENDED READING:

Hansen, Gary. Kneeling with Giants: Learning to Pray with History's Best Teachers. IVP, 2012. ISBN: 978-0830835621, Pub. Price $16.00 [238pp].

 

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1.     1,100 pages of required reading [73 hours]

2.     A 2,000-2,500 words paper presenting the studentŐs owns understanding of the BibleŐs perspective(s) on worship, and the use of the Bible in worship (35%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1] [14 hours].

  1. Three 250 words reflections on the readings posted in small groups in Moodle Forums. Two 50 word responses to classmates for each post are expected to reflect on the readings as well (15%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2] [8 hours].
  2. A 1,250 words participant-observation report of a cross-cultural worship service (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #3] [10 hours].
  3. Presentation in small groups of oneŐs description and assessment of oneŐs own ecclesial traditionŐs practices of personal and corporate prayer and worship (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #4] [5 hours].
  4. Writing a 1,250 words life rule for the studentŐs time in seminary, demonstrating integration of course materials into both the reasoning and the rule itself (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1] [10 hours].
  5. Directed learning activities: two case studies from course readings. [10 hours].

 

PREREQUISITES:  None. Recommended in first year of study.

 

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:  Meets a core integrative requirement in the 120 MDiv Program.

 

FINAL EXAMINATION:  None.