Spring 2014/Fuller Live!
Pasadena and Seattle
TC518
Jacobsen
TC518: CALLING: THE HISTORY, THEOLOGY, AND EXPERIENCE OF CHRISTIAN VOCATION (4 Units). Eric Jacobsen.
DESCRIPTION: While the terms ‘calling’ and ‘vocation’ are often thought to be associated only with those who are considering ordained ministry, these terms can be applied much more broadly to the lives of every person. All of humanity is called to fulfill the ‘creation mandate’ from Gen. 1:28. As Christians, we participate in this general vocation of humanity, but also experience a fresh set of callings as part of our new status in Christ. We are called first and foremost into relationship with Christ and into relationship with the community of Christ. We also experience a general calling to live our lives in conformity to the will of God. And we are called specifically to use our gifts, experiences, and contexts in unique ways to further the mission of God in the world. In this class we will be exploring the full meaning of vocation both in terms of what it means as an abstract concept as well as how each student experiences and respond to the call of God on her/his life.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: At the conclusion of this course, a student will: (1) Distinguish between the concept of vocation as a fundamental category of Christian discipleship and other human centered approaches such as ‘just getting a job’, ‘pursuing a career’, or ‘working to earn retirement’; (2) Develop a Biblical theology of work based on a considered understanding of the God of creation as well as theological anthropology; (3) Practice the spiritual discipline of discernment in order to clarify God’s calling on one’s own life; (4) Clarify and articulate the plurality of vocations in one’s life, the overlapping nature of vocations within the family unit, and the dynamism of vocation along various life stages; (5) Understand the role that character plays in living faithfully into ones vocation.
COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet weekly for ten three-hour sessions in Seattle and Pasadena. For nine of the ten sessions, the class will meet in person in Seattle and via live video link in Pasadena. For one of the ten sessions, the class will meet in person in Pasadena and via video link in Seattle. Class time will include lectures, discussion, student presentations, and small group projects. Students will also be given an opportunity to form a discernment group to assist in meeting some of the goals for the class.
REQUIRED READING:
Chatham, James. Is It I, Lord? Discerning God’s Call to Be Pastor. Westminster John Knox Press, 2003. ISBN: 978-0664226725, Pub. Price $17.00 [120 pp.].
Farnham, Suzanne G, Gill, McLean, and Ward. Listening Hearts: Discerning Call in Community. Morehouse, 1991. ISBN: 978-0819224446, Pub. Price $18.00 [144 pp.]
Peterson, Eugene H. Under the Unpredictable Plant: An Exploration in Vocational Holiness. Eerdmans, 1992. ISBN: 978-0802808486, Pub. Price $20.00 [206 pp.]
Smith, Gordon T. Courage and Calling: Embracing Your God-Given Potential. IVP, 2011. ISBN: 978-0830835546, Pub. Price $17.00 [269 pp.].
Schuurman, Douglas J. Vocation: Discerning Our Callings in Life. Eerdmans, 2004. ISBN: 978-0802801371, Pub. Price $22.00 [204 pp.].
Course Reader [on eReserves through Moodle (148 pp)] (Including readings by Wendell Berry, Andy Crouch, Christine De Pisan, Steven Garber, Roberto S. Goizueta, Lee Hardy, Pope Leo XIII, Dorothy L. Sayers, Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, Teresa of Avila, and Norman Wirzba).
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: Grading is done on a total point basis. There are five sets of assignments in this class plus one (or two) other grading factor(s).
Reading response journal with entries for each reading (15%)
Paper 1: Description And Evaluation Of Current Roles And Responsibilities. 2-3 pages (10%)
Paper 2: My Obituary. 1 page (5%)
Paper 3: A Theology Of Vocation. 8 pages (30%)
Paper 4: A Narrative Assessment of My Vocations. 11 pages (35%)
Class participation (5%)
Extra Credit – Report from discernment group (5%)
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective. Required in the Brehm Area of Emphases for students matriculating in Fall 2013 and beyond.
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.