Spring 2005/Southern California
Three weekend intensive
DP503
Van Engen
DP503: REFORMED CHURCH STANDARDS AND CREEDS. Charles Van Engen.
DESCRIPTION:
- This course is designed to enable Reformed Church in America
students to gain an understanding of, and appreciation for, the creedal
foundation of the RCA that is basic to its unity, ethos, and vision. The creeds
will be studied in their individual historical context, their impact on the
life of the Reformed Church in America, and their significance for ministry in
the world today.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- As a creedal church, the RCA approaches its theologizing, its
ethical considerations, its proclamation, its church polity, and its sense of
unity from the perspectives of its three creedal foundations. A detailed
knowledge of the creeds is essential for ministry in the RCA.
COURSE FORMAT:
- The course will meet at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove
(Robert Schuller Center, Room 400) on three weekends (April 8-9, April 22-23,
and May 13-14). Six major theological themes will be covered; for each, the
class will (1) highlight the issues in today's social context to which the
selected creedal theme may speak, (2) analyze the theme as expressed in the
creeds, (3) reflect on matters in parish ministry where the theme is
significant.
REQUIRED READING:
- Barth, Karl. The Faith of the Church. Meridian, 1958.
- Calvin, John. Institutes of the Christian Religion. Westminster,
1960. (Use as reference only.)
- Ecumenical Creeds and Reformed Confessions. CRC Publications,
1988.
- Plantinga, Cornelius. A Place to Stand. CRC Publications.
- Heideman, Eugene. A People in Mission: Their Expanding Dream, and
A People in Mission: Their Surprising Harvest. Reformed Church
Press, 1984, 1980 (both available in class).
- Hesselink, John. On Being Reformed. RCA Distribution Center.
- Van Halsema, T. B. Three Men Came to Heidelberg. Christian Reformed
Publ. (Available in class.)
- Either Harmelink, Herman, III. Ecumenism and the Reformed
Church. Eerdmans, 1968.
OR Van Hoeven, James, ed. Piety and
Patriotism. Eerdmans, 1976.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Read longitudinally through the Standards and Creeds, with attention
to the topics to be discussed each weekend, and write a 5-page critical summary
of what the creeds say on those themes.
- Write 6 two-page typed, double-spaced book reviews on Plantinga, Barth,
Hesselink, Harmelink-or-Van Hoeven, and Heideman above.
- Check-off list of supplemental readings, including Van Halsema and two
Heideman texts above.
- Choose 1 major theological theme for reflection: (a) Read
longitudinally through the Creeds on 1 major theological theme,
and (b) read Calvin's Institutes on that theme and write a 2-page
critical summary of what Calvin says about it. (c) Also preach a sermon,
or teach a Sunday School lesson, or give a youth Bible study
concerning the chosen theme. Hand in the outline and materials used, along with
a 1-page REPORT on the preaching/teaching/Bible study experience. OR (in
place of "c") Write a 12-pp. typed, double-spaced PAPER developing the
theological significance of the chosen theme. Note: either option for
"c" should use Scripture, a longitudinal reading of the creeds, and
consultation with at least 3 Reformed systematic theologians, including
Calvin's Institutes.
- OR ( in place of "4" above) Write a 15-page, typed, double-spaced
personal CREDO, using Scripture, a longitudinal reading of the creeds,
and consulting with at least 3 Reformed systematic theologians,
including Calvin's Institutes. Include brief remarks on the impact each
theme may have in the ministry and mission of the church in the world of this
new century.
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective. RCA Certificate of Fitness
requirement.
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.