Winter 2004/Pasadena
CH551
Kernaghan
CH551: PRESBYTERIAN HISTORY AND PROGRAMS. Ronald Kernaghan.
DESCRIPTION:
- In studying the history of the Presbyterian Church (USA) attention
will be given to important persons, ideas, and movements. Study will include
the use of primary and secondary sources. The course will trace the roots of
Presbyterianism from Scotland to the American colonies and its spread
throughout the States. A major focus will be the development of distinctive
themes in American Presbyterianism. Main themes in Presbyterian History will be
related to current developments and programs in the denomination.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- Ministry must take place with a thoughtful understanding of where
we have come from. For those who seek to serve in the Reformed tradition we
need to know the persons, ideas, and movements that have shaped our
understanding of ministry. With a historical perspective it becomes more
difficult to believe the world and its values and ideals are the best there
have ever been. We need to intimate knowledge of the past to remind us of God's
on-going reformation of our present.
COURSE FORMAT:
- This class is participatory in style. It assumes a regular reading
of the primary and secondary sources before coming to class. The teaching
method will combine lectures, case studies, and group discussion. The class
will meet twice a week for two-hour sessions.
REQUIRED READING:
- James, W. E. and C. H. Zatkin. Tumbling Walls. La Jolla, CA:
Diaspora Foundations, 1991.
- Kirkpatrick, Clifton and William H. Hooper Jr. What Unites
Presbyterians. Louisville: Geneva Press, 1997.
- Marsden, George. Reforming Fundamentalism: Fuller Seminary and the New
Evangelicalism. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1987.
- Presbyterian Program Calendar, 2003-2004.
- Presbyterian Understanding and Use of the Holy Scripture. The Office
of Theology and Worship, PC (USA), 1992.
- Smylie, James H. A Brief History of the Presbyterians. Louisville:
Geneva Press, 1996.
- Selected articles reprinted in course syllabus.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Longfield, Bradley J. The Presbyterian Controversy. New
York: Oxford University Press, 1991.
- Parker, T. H. L. Calvin: An Introduction to His Thought. Louisville:
Westminster/John Knox Press, 1995.
- Rogers, Jack. Claiming the Center. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox
Press, 1995.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Students will be expected to take an active part in class discussion based
on prior study of assigned readings.
- Written responses to case studies and analyses of historical issues.
- A Final Project: research paper on recent controversy in PCUSA.
PREREQUISITES:
- None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
- Elective.
FINAL EXAMINATION:
- No.