J.R. Briggs

Introduction to the Christian Tradition: course syllabus

October 14, 2009

• Tweet

Last month I mentioned I’m jumping back into my grad work at Biblical Seminary. The class I’m taking, Introduction to the Christian Tradition, starts next month. It’s a one-month intensive (and intense) course on consecutive Tuesday nights and one weekend. I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve already ordered the books and I’m beginning to read ahead. I’m particularly excited that I am “required” to memorize specific elements that I’ve wanted to memorize for quite some time, but never had the formal accountability to do “force” me to do it. (See “Theological memorization” below).

Here’s the syllabus.

__________

Biblical Theological Seminary

LEAD Master of Divinity Program

LEAD 521 – Introduction to the Christian Tradition

Class Dates: November 17 – December 15, 2009

Instructor: Derek Cooper, PhD

Office hours: By appointment

Course Description

This course serves as an introduction to the historic Christian faith from a generously orthodox perspective. It introduces students to the classic Christian creeds as well as various Protestant denominational confessions; assesses foundational theological questions pertaining to the Christian faith; focuses on important persons and ideas throughout the church’s past; and traces the roots of American evangelicalism.

Personal Note From The Professor

The recovery of the classic Christian tradition in recent years marks one of the most significant developments in the history of evangelical thought. There is, in fact, a growing interest among evangelicals in the pre-critical period that is readily changing the identity of the movement. I welcome this change, and believe it corrects the a-historical trajectory that has characterized so much of evangelical thought. I look forward to recovering this tradition with you over the course of the next several weeks, and I pray that we can appreciate this tradition together.

Course Objectives

At the completion of this course, the successful student will be able to:

1. Evaluate and appreciate classic Christian formulas (creeds, catechisms, doctrines) as both an observer and as an adherent.
2. Recognize important persons and ideas throughout the history of the church.
3. Assess major theological and doctrinal questions pertaining to the Christian faith.
4. Engage the historic Christian tradition from a generously orthodox perspective.

Course Assessments and Method of Evaluation

Required Texts and Materials

Required Texts

Noll, Mark. (2000 – 2^nd Edition). Turning points: Decisive moments in the history of Christianity.

Grand Rapids: Baker.

McGrath, Alister. (1999). Christian Spirituality: An introduction. Oxford: Blackwell.

Payton, James. (2007). Light from the Christian east: An introduction to the Orthodox tradition.

Downers Grove, IVP.

Recommended Texts (Not Required)

González, Justo. (1996). Church history: An essential guide. Nashville: Abington.

Hauerwas, Stanley, and William Willimon. (1996). Lord, teach us: The Lord’s Prayer and the

Christian life. Nashville: Abingdon.

McLaren, Brian. (2004). A generous orthodoxy. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

McGrath, Alister. (2008 – 2^nd Edition). Theology: The basics. Oxford: Blackwell.

Hanson, Bradley. (1997). Introduction to Christian theology. Minneapolis: Fortress.

Course Procedures and Course Requirements

1. Assigned Readings – Students should complete each assigned reading by the due date listed in the schedule below. This includes all readings—specifically, McGrath, Noll, and Payton. Students should submit their percentage of the readings to the instructor via e-mail by December 18.
2. Theological Memorization– Students will participate in an historic Christian practice by memorizing the entirety of the Nicene Creed; the Ten Commandments; and the Lord’s Prayer. They should recite these documents to an observer (friend or family member), and will notify the instructor on an index card the percentage of these documents correctly memorized. This assignment is due by December 1.
3. Meditation Journal – Students will maintain a journal that records their responses to chapters from Payton’s Light from the Christian east. There are four entries in all—each entry covering roughly three chapters at a time. Entries can focus or respond to any theme, idea, or topic in one of these chapters, and are designed to challenge the student to think about the Orthodox tradition in a generously orthodox perspective. Each entry should be one to two pages (1-2) in length (4-8 pages overall). The journal should be submitted electronically at the end of the course—not weekly—by December 15.
4. Online Discussions – Students will engage in two online discussions. These discussions will be based on McGrath’s Christian Spirituality. For each session, students should make at least three posts of 200-400 words each. The first post should directly answer the question(s) posed, while the other two posts interact with the responses from their group members. These posts should be well written, clear, and thoughtful. It is essential that students make their posts early in order to allow for adequate discussion and reflection.

Session 1 – This session begins November 20 and ends November 30, and students should make their first post by November 25.

Session 2 – This session begins December 3 and ends December 11, and students should make their first post by December 6.

1. Tradition Paper – Students will write a paper that discusses their own church tradition in relation to one of the three ecclesial traditions that claims apostolic succession: Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, or Anglicanism. In the spirit of generous orthodoxy, the paper should address the following: (i) the student’s ecclesial tradition, including the historical and theological roots of this tradition as well as its distinctives; and (ii) how one of these three earlier traditions informs, challenges, relates, or adds to the student’s own tradition. The paper should be four to six (4-6) pages in length and is to be submitted electronically. It is due by December 12.
2. Final Exam – Students will have a take-home test at the conclusion of the course, which is based on the Noll reading assignment as well as lectures, discussions, and handouts covered during class.  Further instructions about the test will be given toward the end of the course. This test will be given December 12 and is to be submitted electronically by December 17.

Course Schedule with Topic, Assignments, Submission Method, and Due Date

Posted in: Uncategorized