Winter 2015/Pasadena

DP508

Wallace

DP508: BAPTIST DOCTRINE, HISTORY, AND POLITY (4 Units: 160 Hours). Robert B. Wallace.

DESCRIPTION: This course will offer an introduction to the history of Baptists and will explore the Anabaptist, English Congregational and missiological roots of the Baptist movement, early confessional statements, and issues of doctrine and polity that define Baptists today. Students will be introduced to Baptist identity as expressed in its different communities. Polity discussions will focus on the authority of Scripture, the autonomy of the local church, the association principle, soul competence, the role of the clergy, priesthood of believers and ministry of the laity, separation of Church and state, and the two ordinances. We will also examine standards and procedures for ordination in the Baptist tradition.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have demonstrated that they are (1) conversant with Baptist history; (2) recognize several historic Baptist leaders and their contributions to Baptist life and witness; (3) understand Baptist principles and be able to articulate their position on them; (4) are acquainted with recent developments within Baptist churches; and (5) make progress toward meeting ordination requirements. The course will also include a module that will review mandated reporting laws for clergy and a module that will provide dialogue with denominational leaders.

COURSE FORMAT: This class meets once per week for three-hour sessions for a total of 30 hours of classroom instruction for lecture and discussion plus 10 hours of directed learning activities for a total of 40 instructional hours. The course meets for lectures, discussion and creative exercises that will engage Baptist principles. Students will be expected to have read assigned texts that will prepare them for the class sessions.

REQUIRED READING: 1,300 pp. required.

Freeman, Curtis, J.W. McClendon Jr., and V. Da Silva. Baptist Roots: A Reader in the Theology of a Christian People. Judson Press, 1999. ISBN: 978-0817012816, Pub. Price $23.99 [436 pp.].

Leonard, B. J. Baptist Ways: A History. Judson Press, 2003. ISBN: 978-0817012311, Pub. Price $30.00 [480 pp.].

Maring, N. H. and W. S. Hudson. A Baptist Manual of Polity and Practice. Rev. ed. Judson Press, 1991. ISBN: 978-0817011710, Pub. Price $29.99 [286 pp.]. **OUT OF PRINT**

Shurden, Walter B. The Baptist Identity. Smyth and Helwys, 1993. ISBN: 978-1880837207, Pub. Price $15.00 [119 pp.].