Fuller Online
CH503: Winter 2010
Thompson/Tweitmann

 

CH503: MEDIEVAL AND REFORMATION THEOLOGY (4 units). John L. Thompson, Professor of Historical Theology, and Gaylen and Susan Byker Professor of Reformed Theology:
Online facilitation by Chris Tweitmann, Adjunct Instructor of Church History

DESCRIPTION:

A survey of the diversity of medieval theology as it developed from an essentially Augustinian source in its encounter with new conflicts and cultural factors and as it eventually promoted and provoked the Protestant Reformation. The period addressed covers through the Council of Trent and the death of Calvin.

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES / LEARNING OUTCOMES: There are four objectives to this course.

á       First, that students become familiar with the central theological doctrines and developments in the church of the Middle Ages and Reformation, particularly those that led to the Reformation and have formed and expressed Protestant identity.

á       Second, that students gain an understanding of the theological controversies of the Middle Ages and Reformation from diverse points of view, including the perspectives of the original participants and those of historians today.

á       Third, that students practice the close reading of selected primary sources in order to analyze and faithfully articulate the theological arguments of a historical text.

á       Fourth, that students reflect on the perennial nature of the doctrinal controversies that shaped Christian identity in this period as these doctrines and practices have engendered contemporary Christian diversity and ecumenical conversation.

 

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:

By introducing a significant body of theological and historical data, the course seeks to lead students to a broader perspective on their own ecclesiastical traditions, beliefs, and practices, as well as to a sympathetic appreciation for the unity and diversity of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church of which they are a part. Intensive work in primary sources will help students to acquire an improved facility in the analysis of theological arguments and an increased ability to articulate the meaning of the Christian faith in its historical development--skills that will also benefit the student's reading, understanding, and exposition of Scripture itself.


COURSE FORMAT:

The class will be conducted on the Internet using a 10-week lesson program aligned with FullerÕs academic calendar. Each week, students and the instructor will interact with the material and each other through journaling, threaded discussions, web-based research, and other assignments. Lectures for each lesson will be available online.


REQUIRED READING:

á       Fairweather, Eugene R., ed. A Scholastic Miscellany. Westminster, 1956; and Macmillan, 1970.

á       HŠgglund, Bengt. History of Theology. Concordia, 1968. NOTE: In consultation with the instructor, students may substitute for HŠgglund one of the recommended textbooks listed below.

á       Hillerbrand, Hans J., ed. The Protestant Reformation. Harper & Row, 1968.

á       Readings packet, including excerpts from women of the middle ages and Reformation.

 

RECOMMENDED READING:

á       Cross, F. L. The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. Oxford, 1996.

á       Douglas, J. D. The New International Dictionary of the Christian Church. Zondervan, 1978.

á       Gonz‡lez, Justo L. A History of Christian Thought. Vols. 2-3. Abingdon, 1987.

á       Muller, Richard A. Dictionary of Latin and Greek Theological Terms. Baker, 1985.

á       Pelikan, Jaroslav. The Christian Tradition. Vols. 3-4. University of Chicago Press, 1978, 1984.

á       Placher, William C. A History of Christian Theology. Westminster, 1983.

á       Seeberg, Reinhold. The History of Doctrines. Baker, 1979.


ASSIGNMENTS:

1.      Assigned reading of ~900 pages, to be completed as preparation for lectures and weekly discussions

2.      Weekly threaded discussions (15%) and journaling (5%)

3.      Three short papers (1,700 words each) on primary source readings (45%)

4.      Final examination (35%)

 

PREREQUISITES: None.

 

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets M. Div. core requirement in Church History "b" (CHB); Ministry Focus Elective in MA in Global Leadership degree.

 

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes                                                                                                                        

 

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification.

 

Updated October 2009