Southern Adventist University Christian Theology I RELT 484 (3 hours) Fall 2017

Transcription

1 Southern Adventist University Christian Theology I RELT 484 (3 hours) Fall 2017 Professor: Stephen Bauer, Ph.D. Office: Hackman Hall 225-A Schedule: See web page at sbauer@southern.edu Phone: Office Home (before 9 PM) :00-11:50 AM Monday, Wednesday, Friday Hackman Hall 230 I. Course Description in University Catalog: Christian Theology I is an in-depth study of the 28 Seventh-day Adventist Fundamental Beliefs to equip the student to know the doctrines of the church from the Scriptures and present them to others. II. Course Objectives A. To equip the student with the tools needed for establishing and maintaining a living, dynamic faith in Jesus. B. To furnish the students with a foundational knowledge of basic Bible doctrines and Christian experience to be able to answer for their faith. C. To develop the student's ability to recognize and articulate the systematic interrelationship of the various Bible truths. D. To prepare the student to engage in the spiritual warfare of the final crisis. E. To prepare the students to be better able to witness and share their faith by using evangelistic tools as part of the class work. 1

2 III. Instructional Methods A. Lecture/Dialogue involving traditional lecture and interaction with student questions will be the primary means of instruction. B. Other discussion formats will sometimes be used in conjunction with random calling on students for comments. C. Writing projects will be assigned. One of these projects are designed to help the student recognize interrelationships between biblical doctrines, and articulate a holistic, interconnected system of thought. The others expose the student to other interpretations and interpretations of Christian doctrines. D. Eclass: 1. We will not make much use of eclass this semester, except as announced. The main use will be for online lectures to cover class during some travel appointments by the professor. 2. Assignments with web-based rubrics and resources will not use Eclass but will use links in the professor's website which is listed above. The professor's website link will also be posted in Eclass. IV. Class Material A. Textbooks (Regular) 1. The Bible - any translation (no paraphrases) 2. General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Seventh-day Adventists Believe: A Biblical Exposition of 27 Fundamental Doctrines. Hagerstown, MD: Review & Herald, Gulley, Norman. "The Truth as It is in Jesus." This syllabus is stocked at the Campus Shop. 4. Erickson, Millard J. Christian Theology. Third Edition. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books,

3 V. Course Requirements and Major Assignments A. Academic Honesty: Each student shall do his own work, abiding by SAU and Christian standards of honesty and integrity. 1. Some basic examples of academic dishonesty to be avoided include, but are not limited to: a. Copying or making use of another student's work. b. Plagiarism - the use of another person's work by copying or paraphrasing without giving credit for the source. This is unethical and unacceptable. For the papers in this class, mentioning the source in the text of your paper, and citing the sources at the end as per the assigned format, are sufficient. Abbreviations are acceptable. Examples: (1) "The SDABC notes that..."; "Luther asserts that... "; "The WBC claims...." [WBC = Word Biblical Commentary] (2) Only use quotations if directly quoting. c. Cheating on Quizzes: Making use of unauthorized helps, copying someone else's answer, etc. d. Penalty: Students caught doing the above unacceptable behaviors will receive an F in the assignment, and second offenses will merit expulsion from the class with a grade of F for the course. 2. More severe forms of academic dishonesty include, but are not limited to: a. Cheating on Exams: This is especially sinister, due to the weight that our society places on testing as a means of qualifying for graduate school entrance or professional certification. (1) Penalty: Students caught using unauthorized aids or help in an exam will receive an automatic grade of F for the course on first offense. Authorized aids will be listed below. b. Unethical Library Usage: Because many students need to use the 3

4 resources in the Library, students are expected to be ethical in their use of Library resources including. Unethical behavior includes: (1) Damaging or defacing library materials. (2) Holding materials well past their due date/time. (3) Hiding books or other materials in the library by misshelving, or other means, so that others cannot find them. (4) Choosing to keep (i.e. steal) a resource and pay the fine as a "purchase price." (5) Penalties: (a) Student may be subject to penalties from the library as per library policy. (b) The professor reserves the right to impose a further penalty on the student for unethical Library activities if notification is received. Penalties may include: a reduced score on an assignment, or a reduction of final course grade up to 2 full letter grades. At the discretion of the professor, these penalties may be reduced or eliminated if proper corrective and restorative action is taken. B. Regular and punctual class attendance. C. Bring your Bible to each class session. D. Assigned Reading: Read assigned textbook portions by date scheduled in class schedule. Reading may appear on quizzes and/or tests. E. Outside Reading: Read 200 pages, all in Erickson, beyond your assigned reading. Selections should come from at least 6 of the12 parts of Erickson's system. Make a log of which pages you read with the following information: Starting page, ending page, total pages for that section, and the topic(s) covered in the pages read. If the page range has more than one topic, log each topic on a separate entry. This reading may be used to prepare for the doctrinal papers below. 1. Log Due: December 1, Points Possible: 100 4

5 F. Writing Projects: 1. Doctrinal Papers: a. The student will write three doctrinal papers based on reading. Follow format standards below. Pick three doctrines (1 per paper) and write a 2.75 to 3 page report for each doctrine comparing (similarities) and contrasting (differences) Erickson and Gulley's views on the chosen doctrine. Who is more biblical? Why? (Don't get too technical. You have only three pages to work with). b. Erickson s table of contents had 12 parts. Your three doctrines should come from 3 differing parts of Erickson s contents. Choose the appropriate section of Gulley to match with Erickson s work. c. Points possible (per paper): 50 d. Due dates will be listed in the course schedule 2. System Paper a. Write a 6-8 page paper on the systematic structure of SDA doctrines. This paper should follow the format standards listed below and should: b. Evaluate (from a systematic perspective) the organization of the systems presented by Gulley, the professor (on his web page), and the textbook (SDA's Believe). c. In the first 3-5 pages, cover each of the following items for the three systems you are to evaluate. Do the process one system at a time so there will be three major sections. The first two items may be combined in a table or chart, provided you leave yourself about 2 pages per system for textual argumentation. (1) What fundamental theological categories are used to organize the system? (2) What doctrines were put in which category, and why do you think the theologian put them there? Do you agree/disagree? 5

6 (3) Which doctrine/category/concept is the heuristic center (organizing principle) that orders the whole system? Is it a satisfactory heuristic center? (Do you agree/disagree?) (4) Summarize strengths/weaknesses of the system evaluated. d. Do the same kind of analysis of your proposed system as you conducted above. Again, a table may be used to combine the first two items. (1) Propose your own structure of categories/doctrines. (2) Identify your heuristic center and show how it functions in the system. (3) Summarize strengths & weaknesses of your system. (4) This is a reaction/position paper, not a research paper. React to the assigned systems and propose your own tentative system. Don't research other systematic theologies, etc., as it is not needed. (5) Don't over-complicate this project. Keep it simple and to the point. No need to be flowery and artistic. Literary style will have little if any effect on the grade. (6) The professor has some past, prize winning papers that can be viewed only in his office or his reader's office (not in the hallway). (7) DUE: November 8, 2017 (8) 200 Points possible. (9) A grading rubric and chart of the professor's system structure will be posted on the professor's website early in the semester. VI. Class Policies A. Attendance Policies: 6

7 1. Attendance in class is required and recorded. The attendance policies stated in the Southern Adventist University Catalog, will be observed and enforced. 2. Attendance will be scored as follows (non-test days): a. On time = 4 points b. Unexcused Tardy = 2 points c. Unexcused Absence = 0 points 3. Students missing 6 classes for any reason, or who fall 24 points behind the attendance points schedule (for example,12 tardies) may be asked to withdraw from the class. 4. Students who miss a quiz or test due to an unexcused absence will not be able to make them up. If you anticipate a problem (field trip, etc.), discuss alternatives with the professor AHEAD OF TIME. 5. Excuses will be given for: a. Documented sickness, b. Approved school trips, and c. Emergency situations (if deemed an emergency by the professor). d. Non-emergency medical and dental appointments must not interfere with the class programs, and the student should not ask or expect the professor to make concessions for this reason. 6. Students sleeping in class, studying other subjects, or occupied with matters other than the lecture and discussion, will be recorded as absent. Physical presence does not excuse the student to carry on other business. 7. Students who are in violation of the Southern Adventist University dress code (jewelry, severe immodesty, etc.) will be considered and recorded as absent, but will usually be warned first. B. Withdrawing from (Dropping) Class: Please note the new University Policy, that withdrawing from class after October 26, 2017, will result in an automatic grade of F from the Registrar s Office. C. Computers: Computers may be used for taking notes. If a student seems more distracted than helped by their computer, the professor reserves the right to require 7

8 the student to put the computer away while in class. D. Cell Phones, Blackberries, etc.: Please turn such devices off or set them to silent or vibrate mode for class. Do not answer incoming calls and messages. A student observed using these devices during class will be marked absent. E. Bring your Bible and textbook to each class session. F. Format for Papers: 1. Writing Guidelines, all papers. a. 12 Point fonts such as Time New Roman, Garmond, etc. b. Body of text should be double spaced. c. Use one inch margins all around and put page numbers at bottom. d. Errors in grammar and spelling can deduct up to 5 points from your total score, per paper. e. Electronic Documents will not be accepted unless prior permission has been arranged. 2. Writing Guidelines specific to Doctrinal Papers: (1) Name and paper info in top left corner of page 1. This information should be single spaced. (a) No title page (minus 5 points for making one). (2) One blank line between the name/data section and the body of the text. (3) Here is an example: 8

9 Sample Paper Format: (This Line across the page represents the top margin of page one - do not reproduce the line) John Doe Christian Theology I Doctrinal Paper One The Law of God Date: MM-DD-YY (Date is optional) This is the beginning of the double-spaced text of your paper. There is one blank line between the Name section (which was single spaced) and this body of the paper which is double spaced. 3. Additional Writing guidelines for the System Paper: G. Late Work Policy: a. Use a title-page formatted like the sample given at the end of this syllabus, including the 12 point font size. b. Regular Pages with margins: 1", font: point, body text: double spaced, typewritten; page numbers: bottom center. c. You should not need footnotes/endnotes or a bibliography as this is not a research paper but your reaction and position A.M. Rule: For the Doctrinal and System papers only: These projects will be considered on time if delivered to my office by the following business-day after the due date if prior to 8 A.M. I.e., a paper due on Wednesday will be on time if in prior to 8 A.M. on Thursday. All papers turned in outside class should be time-stamped in the time clock down the hall from my office by the water fountain. Locate stamp imprint near your name on the paper. You slide the paper into the clock slot to imprint the time/date. 2. Doctrinal Papers: The late penalty is 5 points per business day late, up to 25 points maximum penalty per paper. 3. System Paper: The late penalty is 25 points for the first business day late, 9

10 then 10 points per business day thereafter. Maximum penalty is 100 points. 4. NO late work will be accepted after the last day of regularly scheduled classes. This means NO late work will be accepted during final exam week. H. Disabilities Statement: In keeping with the university s policy, if you are a student who believes you may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability or learning challenge, (i.e. physical, learning, psychological, ADHD or other type), you are strongly encouraged to contact Disability Support Services, DSS at or stop by Lynn Wood Hall, Room 1082 as early as possible. Accommodations are not retroactive and cannot be implemented until faculty or staff members have received the official Accommodation Letter from DSS. Specific details of the disability remain confidential between the student and DSS unless the student chooses to disclose or there is legitimate academic need for disclosure on a case-by-case basis. For more details, visit the Disability Support Services website at: I. The professor may (or may not) elect to offer extra-credit options as he sees fit. Individualized extra credit is not permitted. VII. Quizzes and Tests A. Pop quizzes can be given at any time. B. There are scheduled quizzes each Monday as shown in the schedule. Each quiz will cover the previous week's lecture and reading materials. Quizzes will be 10 points. All quizzes count. We will not drop any quizzes. The Quiz 1 will be over the policies and procedures found this course syllabus. C. Tests: There will be 2 tests as scheduled, approx. 1/3 and 2/3 of the way through semester (see schedule for date). Test 1 will cover lectures, reading, and workbooks for parts 1-3 of the class schedule. Test 2 will cover same types of material for parts 4-5 of the class schedule. Format: Each test will have 20 objective questions (40 pts.), 2 short-answer questions (20 pts. choose 2 of 3), and one long essay (40 points choose 1 of 2 questions). The professor will explain more about the essay portion of exam. There MAY be extra credit available on the tests. 10

11 D. Final Exam: The exam will cover the same types of material as the previous tests but for parts 6-7 of the class schedule. It will have the same format as tests one and two. See Official Test Schedule for Date and Time. E. Students must attempt all three tests to receive a passing grade. This does not, however, guarantee a passing grade. F. There is no waiver of the final exam in this class. G. Rescheduling Final Exams: Students must take the final exam as scheduled by the University unless they meet the University standards for rescheduling final exams found in the SAU Undergraduate Catalog. A student wishing to reschedule the final exam must consult with the professor and with the senior vice president for Academic Administration. A $100 fee may be charged for rescheduling an exam. H. Authorized Test Aids for All Tests (not for Quizzes): Every student may make one "crib card" no larger than 3x5 inches of standard card stock or thinner. Both sides may be used. Card (or card-sized paper) must be hand written (not computer printed). The professor reserves the right to reject or confiscate non-compliant versions, or to trim oversized materials to proper size. VIII. Grading Criteria A. Grades and a record of your scores for assignments, quizzes, and tests will be posted in Hackman Hall, lower level, on one of the two bulletin boards (small sign on top says "Wailing Wall") in the hall leading to Room 130. Find the professor's name and near that the appropriate course. Find your assigned code name to locate your grade information. B. Attendance points will be added to the Wailing Wall for mid-term grades and final grades. Any questions about attendance records should be directed to the professor's reader. The reader's schedule is on the professor's website a link is posted in his schedule. C. Returned Assignments: If the student signs a waiver of permission, their returned work can be picked up in "mailboxes" in Hackman Hall. General students will use the lower level in the hallway next to the "Wailing Wall." Find the column headed by your professor's name. Assignments for School of Religion majors will be put in your personal mail boxes on the upper floor of Hackman Hall. Otherwise, you will have to come to the professor's office to collect returned work. 11

12 D. Grades will be calculated from the percentage of total points possible (i.e. raw score). Total points are approximate: Points Percentages Scheduled Quizzes = A = C 3 Doctrinal Papers = A = C- 2 Exams During Semester = B = D+ Final Exam = B = D Attendance (40 Classes) = B = D- System Paper = C = F Outside Reading 100 Approx. Total Points Possible 1020 (Continued on next page) 12

13 IX. Class Schedule (Fall 2017): Topic Reading Due* Papers Quizzes & Tests Part 0 - Prolegomena Week 1a Mon. 8/21 Wed. 8/23 Introduction Systematic Theology E1,3,4 Quiz 1 Part I - God (Theology) Week 1b Fri. 8/25 Inspiration of Scripture 1/G4/E6 Week 2 Mon. 8/28 Wed. 8/30 Fri. 9/1 Inspiration of Scripture Creation Creation See p.15 6/G5 Quiz 2 Week 3 Mon. 9/4 Wed. 9/6 Fri. 9/8 Online Mon. only God Trinity (online) God - Trinity and Father Trinity Controversy 2-3/G2-3 Quiz 3 Part II - Man (Anthropology) Week 4a Mon. 9/11 Wed. 9/13 Doctrine of Man Doctrine of Man Part III - Great Controversy (Socio-cosmology) 7 G6 Quiz 4 Week 4b Fri. 9/15 Great Controversy 8/G1 Week 5 Mon. 9/18 Wed. 9/20 Fri. 9/22 Part IV - Salvation (Soteriology) Great Controversy Great Controversy TEST 1 G7 Doct. 1 No Quiz TEST 1 Week 6 (b) Mon. 9/25 Wed. 9/27 Fri. 9/29 Week 7a Mon. 10/2 Wed. 10/4 Doctrine of Salvation Doctrine of Salvation Forgiveness Experience of Salvation Experience of Salvation 4, 9, 24 No Quiz 10/G8,11 Quiz 5 13

14 Part V - Fruits of Salvation (Matthetology) Week 7b Fri. 10/6 Law of God 19/G20 Week 8 Mon. 10/9 Wed. 10/11 Fri. 10/13 Law of God Sabbath (1) Mid-Term Break 20 Quiz 6 Week 9 Mon. 10/16 Wed. 10/18 Fri. 10/20 Sabbath (2) Stewardship Stewardship G21 21/G17 Doct. 2 Quiz 7 Announcement: >>>>>>>>> Oct 26 is last day to drop without an automatic grade of F Week 10 Mon. 10/23 Wed. 10/25 Fri. 10/27 Marriage & Sexuality Marriage & Sexuality Divorce 23 G G Quiz 8 Week 11a Mon. 10/30 Wed. 11/1 Lifestyle Standards Lifestyle Standards Part VI - Agencies of Salvation (Leitourgology) Week 11b Fri. 11/3 Holy Spirit & Sp. Gifts 5, 17 22/G12 Quiz 9 Week 12 Mon. 11/6 Wed. 11/8 Fri. 11/10 Holy Spirit /Church Ministry of the Church Remnant G10,22 12, & G /G19 System Paper Quiz 10 Week 13 Mon. 11/13 Wed. 11/15 Fri. 11/17 Week 14 Mon. 11/21 Wed. 11/23 Fri. 11/25 Prophetic Ministry TEST 2 (proctored) No Class Thanksgiving Break all week 18/G23 No Quiz TEST 2 14

15 Part VII - Final Destiny (Eschatology) Week 15 Mon. 11/27 Wed. 11/29 Fri. 12/1 Investigative Judgement Investigative Judgement Immortal Soul / Hell G9 26/G25 Doct. 3 Reading Log Quiz 11 Week 16 Mon. 12/4 Wed. 12/6 Fri. 12/8 Issues re 2 nd Coming The Millennium New Earth 24/G24 27/G26 28/G27 No Quiz Week 17 Final Exam See SAU Exam Schedule * Reading Assignment Codes: Plain numbers = chapter numbers in the 28 Fundamentals. G = Gulley Syllabus with chapter numbers (numbers after a decimal are numbers of the chapter's parts (i.e. G = Gulley, chapter 10, parts 1-3). E = Erickson with chapter numbers. Reading Assignment for 8/28 From Erickson, chapters 8-9, read the following pages: Chapter 8, "Theories of Inspiration," Chapter 9, pages (Sample title page is on next page) 15

16 Southern Adventist University School of Religion SDA Theology as a System: A Reaction-Position Paper A paper submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for Christian Theology I (RELT 484), By Jane Doe January 27, 1900