CH553/853
Thompson
CH553/853: SEMINAR ON CALVIN: THEOLOGY OF CALVIN. John L. Thompson.
DESCRIPTION:
- An introduction to the thought of John Calvin in his
sixteenth-century context by reading and analyzing his Institutes and
other selected works.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- Calvin's theology was formed in the crucible of sixteenth-century
conflicts, virtually all of which bore ministerial, ecclesiastical, exegetical,
and doctrinal dimensions. Students concerned to understand and/or perpetuate
the Reformed tradition of Protestant theology can benefit from the various ways
in which Calvin stands as a model of the pastor-theologian and thereby become
better formed theologically--that is, pastorally--by studying his life and
writings with care.
COURSE FORMAT:
- Seminar format, meets three hours weekly to discuss readings and
issues.
REQUIRED READING:
- Calvin, John. Institutes of the Christian Religion (1559), 2
vols. Westminster, 1960.
- de Greef, Wulfert. The Writings of John Calvin. Baker, 1993.
- Olin, John, ed. A Reformation Debate: Sadoleto's Letter . . . and
Calvin's Reply. Baker, 1976.
- One of the following, but do not buy before first class
session: (o.p. titles often available used)
- Balke, Willem. Calvin and the Anabaptist
Radicals. Eerdmans, 1981. (o.p.)
- Bouwsma, William. John Calvin: A Sixteenth-Century Portrait. Oxford,
1988.
- Butin, Philip. Revelation, Redemption, and Response. Oxford, 1995.
- Dowey, Edward A. The Knowledge of God in Calvin's Theology. 3rd ed.
Eerdmans, 1994.
- Ganoczy, Alexandre. The Young Calvin. T. & T. Clark, 1988.
- Graham, W. Fred. The Constructive Revolutionary. John Knox, 1971;
Michigan State, 1987.
- Hesselink, John. Calvin and the Law. Pickwick, 1992.
- Höpfl, Harro. The Christian Polity of John Calvin. Cambridge,
1982.
- McDonnell, Kilian. John Calvin, the Church, and the Eucharist.
Princeton, 1967. (o.p.)
- McKee, Elsie Anne. John Calvin on the Diaconate. . . . Geneva:
Droz, 1984.
- McNeill, J. T. The History and Character of Calvinism. Oxford,
1954.
- Niesel, Wilhelm. The Theology of Calvin. Westminster, 1956; Baker,
1980. (o.p.)
- Parker, T. H. L. Calvin: An Introduction to His Thought.
Westminster/John Knox, 1995.
- _________. Calvin's New Testament Commentaries. 2nd ed.
Westminster/John Knox, 1993.
- _________. Calvin's Old Testament Commentaries. Westminster/John
Knox, 1993.
- _________. Calvin's Preaching. Westminster/John Knox, 1992.
- Schreiner, Susan E. The Theater of His Glory. Labyrinth, 1991;
Baker, 1995.
- Wendel, François. Calvin: Origins and Development of His . . .
Thought. Labyrinth, 1987. (o.p.)
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Muller, Richard A. Dictionary of Latin and Greek Theological
Terms. Baker, 1985.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Master's level (553): 1600 pages of assigned reading, including two-thirds
or so of the Institutes. CATS level students (853): 2100 pages of
assigned reading, including all of Calvin's Institutes.
- Weekly written response to readings, to be completed before each class.
- Critical book review, to be submitted in writing and presented in
class.
- Weekly Latin tutorials (mandatory for graduate students, optional for
others).
- Final examination, essay format.
- Original research paper (CATS students only), topic approved by instructor,
outline due by ninth week.
PREREQUISITES: For master's level students: Church History "B" and permission
of instructor.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective.
FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.