Fall 2008/Houston CH549

J. Thompson

CH549: PRESBYTERIAN CREEDS. John L. Thompson.

DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to enable students to enter into the theological ethos of the Presbyterian tradition. Reformed theology, culture, and tradition will be studied in its historical context and applied to the contemporary church. Special attention will be given to the Reformed confessions.

COURSE OUTCOMES: Students who successfully complete CH549 will demonstrate an basic knowledge of the theology and beliefs of the Reformed tradition, and particularly of the theology and history of the confessions of the Presbyterian Church (USA). They will also be more able to understand and articulate doctrinal statements, including a complete personal statement of faith of the sort required for candidacy and ordination in the PC (USA). Beyond this, they will also learn to interpret the contemporary significance of the Reformed tradition and to evaluate theological and ministerial issues in the light of Reformed theology and the Presbyterian confessions.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: The Book of Confessions has at least two functions within the Presbyterian church. First, together with the Book of Order, it comprises the constitution, which governs the church’s life and mission. More importantly, however, it serves as a touchstone for the church’s theology, which is itself the basis for the life and mission of the church. As students prepare for ministry in the Presbyterian Church (USA), this course will allow them to explore its theological foundation as well as their own relationship to it.

COURSE FORMAT: Class will meet for four weekends, Friday evenings and Saturdays. Sessions include lectures, discussion of readings, case-studies, and small-group exercises. It is extremely desirable that students read all of the Book of Confessions — Study Edition prior to the first class. Students with questions about requirements or format should contact the instructor ( jthomps@fuller.edu); a recent syllabus, to be fully updated by 15 Sept 2008, is avail able at http://www.fuller.edu/sot/faculty/thompson_john/CH549syllabus.pdf

REQUIRED READING:

• Book of Confessions — Study Edition. Westminster/John Knox, 1999. [450 pp. assigned]
• The Constitution of the United Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.): Part I, Book of Confessions. The Office of the General Assembly, 1991. (This is the usual edition without annotations that is to be used during the final examination. Also available as a .pdf file at http://www.pcusa.org/oga/publications/boc.pdf)
• Small, Joseph D., ed. Conversations with the Confessions: Dialogue in the Reformed Tradition. Louisville:

Geneva Press, 2005. [225 pp. assigned] AND ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING:

• Calvin, J. Institutes of the Christian Religion. Westminster (2 vols.), 1960 or Eerdmans (1 vol.), 1994; or The Comprehensive Calvin Collection. CD-ROM. Albany, Ore.: Ages Software, 1988.
• Donnelly, J. P.; F. A. James III; and J. C. McClelland, eds. The Peter Martyr Reader. Kirksville, Mo.: Truman State University Press, 1999.
• McKee, Elsie Anne, ed. John Calvin: Writings on Pastoral Piety. Paulist Press, 2002.
• McKim, Donald K, ed. The Cambridge Companion to John Calvin. Cambridge University Press, 2004.
• Selected Theological Statements of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) General Assemblies (1956-1998). Presbyterian Distribution Service, 1999.

RECOMMENDED READING: A list of recommended books can be found in the course syllabus, available on the instructor’s web page, http://www.fuller.edu/sot/faculty/thompson_john

ASSIGNMENTS: (1) Assigned readings (~1200 pp. with reading log), class participation and attendance, 20%.

(2)

Eight one-page credal/doctrinal reflections on assigned topics or loci, 20%.

(3)

Eight one-page response papers to case-studies, along with self-critique, 20%.

(4)

Personal statement of faith, due by week 8, 20%. (5) Final examination, essay format, 20%.

PREREQUISITES: None, but because the course works at integrated theological responses, the course is not recommended for first-year seminarians. Students who have not completed either STA-B-C or CHA-B-C should consult with the instructor before enrolling.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective.

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.