Seminar
in Doctrine: COMPARATIVE DOGMATICS
BDOC
459
Fall
2008
MWF 9:00-9:50 MCIN 350
Instructor: Dr. K. Stanglin
Office phone: 279-4620
Email: kstanglin@harding.edu
Websites: www.harding.edu/kstanglin
and www.facebook.com
Office hours: MCIN 209, 1:00-3:00 (MWF), 2:00-4:00 (TR)
I want you to do well in this course, so please let me know if you are
having difficulty with the class material.
Office phone, hours, and email should suffice for class business.
Course
Description:
This course will seek to
answer why there are so many different Christian churches. Although social and cultural contexts are significant
factors, preference will be given to the doctrinal distinctions among Christian
groups. These distinctions are most
easily accessed through studying the creeds and confessions of these various
groups, and these documents will serve as the primary sources. The major doctrines and distinctive emphases
of religious authority, theology proper and Christology, anthropology and
soteriology, and ecclesiology will be compared and contrasted among Eastern
Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism, Protestant Union Churches, and Evangelical and
Core
Values:
“Let the wise listen and
add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.” Prov. 1:5
“Not merely the most
important but also the most relevant and beautiful problems in dogmatics begin
at the very point where the fable of ‘unprofitable scholasticism’ and the
slogan about the ‘Greek thinking of the fathers’ persuade us that we ought to
stop.” Karl Barth, Church Dogmatics I/1:xiv
“Nil sine magno vita
labore dedit mortalibus.” Horace, Satires I.ix.59
Course Objectives:
In light of the
university’s mission and objectives, the student who successfully completes
this course will be able to:
Course Textbooks:
Required Text
Ted A. Campbell, Christian Confessions: A Historical
Introduction.
All required readings
online or on reserve must be printed and brought to class meetings, along with
the required textbook and the Bible.
Recommended Texts
Douglas A. Foster, et al., eds. The Encyclopedia of the Stone-Campbell Movement.
Philip Schaff, The Creeds of Christendom, with a History
and Critical Notes, 3 vols., 6th ed. 1931; reprint, Grand Rapids:
Baker Books, 1998.
Timothy Ware, The Orthodox Church. New edition.
Recommended
Ted A. Campbell, Christian Mysteries, available at http://christianmysteries.info/
Attendance Policy:
Students are expected to
attend classes regularly. In the event
of illness, family emergency, a school-sponsored activity, or an extenuating
circumstance, it is the responsibility of the student to notify the instructor as soon as possible of the reason for the
absence. A doctor’s note or Pipeline
record is required for excusing personal illness. Print a hard copy for my records. N.B.: Excuses must be turned in within one
week of returning to class.
The official policy of
COBR states that the equivalent of one week of unexcused absences (3) is
allowed in this class. Each additional absence above 3
automatically reduces your final grade by three percentage points.
You will be considered
tardy if you are not present when the roll is checked or if you leave during
class. 3 tardies = 1 unexcused absence.
Students
with Disabilities:
It is the policy for
Assessment:
Academic Honesty:
Classroom Expectations and
Decorum:
I expect all students to
behave in a Christian manner in and out of the classroom. Appropriate behavior includes abiding by the
conduct and dress codes set by the university.
Turn off all cell phones. Do not
eat food in the classroom. Only drinks
in spill-proof containers are allowed in class. If you make a mess, it is your responsibility
to clean it up or pay for it to be cleaned.
Class will be dismissed
when I finish.
Course Requirements:1
The
post must emphasize the practical impact of the week’s topic, that is,
answering the question, “So what?” What
is the practical effect/value of that theological point? It may consist of a statement of personal
appropriation or obedience to God that relates to the week’s topic. It may also include an outline or talking
points of a devotional or sermon over a topic from the respective week. How would you preach what you have learned
about this particular doctrine or topic?
Although
you are only required to submit one post per week, you may want to engage
fellow members in discussion and submit multiple posts as issues arise. The purpose of the exercise is a forum for
continued classroom discussion throughout the week that will focus on the
practical value of the material. Your
post for the week is due before 8:00
a.m. Monday mornings.
In addition to the presentation, write a
paper (800-1,000 words, single-spaced, approx. two pages) that summarizes your
presentation. The paper should conclude
with at least two important and
interesting discussion questions. On its
due date, you will provide copies of your paper to each member of the seminar
and present your thoughts to the class.
Be ready to take questions from the seminar members. Late
papers/presentations are unacceptable.
A.
Write an original research paper on one of the following topics: rule of faith
and creeds in the early church; emerging church; a method for Christian unity;
Lord’s Supper; baptism; relationship of churches of Christ with other Christian
groups.
The paper should be 8-10 pages (Times New Roman,
double-spaced, not including bibliography).
Use Turabian style footnotes and proper, academic English style. Read the handouts in my syllabus on writing
papers. Assessment criteria will include
such things as: clearly stated purpose, logical organization, faultless style,
evidence of research, and interaction with sources.
No less than 13 sources are to be used. These sources should include relevant
surveys, special monographs, and at least three peer-reviewed journal
articles. If the topic is historically
oriented, at least two sources should be primary documents. Do not cite sources in the bibliography
unless they are used in the paper.
B. For the ministry assignment, you must formulate a
series of sermons or teaching lessons, including a full manuscript of the first
sermon or lesson and brief outlines of 12 sermons/lessons to follow.
The sermon series should show evidence of clear and
thoughtful structure, biblical basis and exposition, research and information,
creativity and application. Neglect of
any one of these elements will result in deduction of points. The first sermon/lesson manuscript should be
between 1,700 and 2,100 words, and it should be carefully written with proper
style (not too colloquial). It should
set the foundation for the series and grab the attention of the audience. Make it so they will want to come back for
the next 12 sermons! The outlines must
be at least 200 words each (that’s 2,400 words for 12 outlines).
Additional guidelines for the projects:
a. Not optional.
A course grade of “F” will be assigned to anyone not turning in a
project.
b. Your project type and topic must be turned in to
me by Sept. 3.
c. Projects are due at the beginning of class,
Monday, Nov. 17. A penalty of 10% each
class period will be assessed to late projects.
Projects will not be accepted after Dec. 1.
In
addition to the hard copy, you must also submit the project electronically before the deadline. Go to www.turnitin.com. The class ID is 2356689, and the password is compdog. Click “submit” and follow the
instructions. Papers not submitted
through this website will not be accepted.
Course Schedule:
Wk. 1, 8/25 Syllabus.
8/27 Introduction
to course. CC, pp. xx-xxi.
8/29 Apostles’
Creed and Use of Creeds. Apostles’ and
Old Roman Creeds, in Schaff, 2:45-8.
Wk. 2, 9/1 Loci Theologici Primarii. CC, pp. 1-17.
9/3 Introduction
to Eastern Orthodoxy (EO). CC 1.0. Dositheus: http://www.cresourcei.org/creeddositheus.html
9/5 EO
Authority. CC 1.1.
Wk. 3, 9/8 EO God and Christ. CC 1.2.
9/10 EO
Human Nature and Salvation. CC 1.3.
9/12 EO
Ecclesiology. CC 1.4. Nicaea II (only “definition” and “anathemas”) http://www.ewtn.com/library/COUNCILS/nicaea2.htm
Wk.
4, 9/15 Biblical-Theological Assessment (EO)
9/17 Intro to Roman Catholicism (RC). CC 2.0.
Trent, in Schaff, 2:77- 139.
9/19 RC Authority. CC 2.1.
Vatican I, Dogmatic Const. on Church of Christ, in Schaff, 2:257-71. Vatican II, Dei Verbum: http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19651118_dei-verbum_en.html
Wk. 5, 9/22 RC God and Christ. CC 2.2.
Immaculate Conception, in Schaff, 2:211-2.
9/24 Exam 1
9/26 RC
Human Nature and Salvation. CC 2.3.
Wk. 6, 9/29 RC
Ecclesiology. CC 2.4.
10/1 Biblical-Theological Assessment (RC)
10/3 Intro
to Protestant Union Churches (PU). CC
3.0. Luther’s Small Catechism, in Schaff, 3:74-92, or http://www.lcms.org/graphics/assets/media/LCMS/smallcatechism.pdf
.
Wk. 7, 10/6 PU Authority. CC 3.1. 39 Articles, in Schaff, 3:487-516.
10/8 PU
God and Christ. CC 3.2.
10/10 PU Human Nature and Salvation. CC 3.3.
Remonstrance, in Schaff, 3:545-9.
Wk. 8, 10/13 Calvinism and Arminianism.
10/15 PU
Ecclesiology. CC 3.4.
10/17 READING BREAK
Wk. 9, 10/20 Biblical-Theological Assessment (PU)
10/22 Intro
to Evangelical Free Churches (EF). CC
4.0.
10/24 Exam
2
Wk. 10, 10/27 EF Authority. CC 4.1.
Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy:
http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/history/chicago.stm.txt
10/29 EF God and
Christ : The Challenge of Open Theism.
CC 4.2. Methodist
Articles, in Schaff, 3 :807-13.
10/31 Assessing
Open Theism
Wk. 11, 11/3 EF
Human Nature and Salvation. CC 4.3. Assemblies of God: http://www.creeds.net/Misc/AOGtruths.pdf
11/5 EF
Ecclesiology: Emerging Church. CC 4.4. Schleitheim: http://www.anabaptists.org/history/schleith.html
; Emerging Church:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emerging_church
; Stanglin, “Barna’s
Revolution” (on reserve)
11/7 Biblical-Theological Assessment (EF)
Wk. 12, 11/10 Ecumenical
Movement. CC 5.0-5.4, Conclusion. Baptism, Eucharist,
and Ministry http://www.oikoumene.org/fileadmin/files/wcc-main/documents/p2/FO1982_111_en.pdf pp. 1-17, 25-27.
11/12 Stone-Campbell
Movement (SCM) Churches. Declaration and
Address and Appendix: http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/tcampbell/da/DA-CE.HTM
pp. 3-54 (print
pp. 7-70). A. Campbell, “Synopsis,” http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/blsmith/mha/MHA10605.HTM
11/14 SCM
Authority. Blowers, “Creeds and
Confessions,” in Encyclopedia of the
Stone-Campbell Movement, 252-6 (check Google books).
Wk. 13, 11/17 Canon
within the Canon. “Sermon on the Law,” http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/blsmith/mha/MHA10703.HTM
11/19 SCM
God and Christ. “Providence,” http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/blsmith/mha/MHA10107.HTM
; “Relation of Jesus to God,” http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/blsmith/mha/MHA10206.HTM
; “Gift of the Holy Spirit,” http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/blsmith/mha/MHA10301.HTM
Hicks,
“Trinity as Necessary Fact,” http://johnmarkhicks.wordpress.com/70/
(scroll down and find)
11/21 SCM
Human Nature and Salvation.
THANKSGIVING BREAK
Wk. 14, 12/1 SCM
Ecclesiology. “Constitution,” http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/blsmith/mha/MHA10512.HTM
; “Church,” http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/blsmith/mha/MHA21001.HTM
; “Right of Co-operation,” http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/blsmith/mha/MHA21201.HTM
Olbricht, “The Theology
of the Church in Churches of Christ.” Restoration
Quarterly 50/1 (2008): 15-34 (on reserve).
12/3 Baptism. “Bath of Regeneration,” http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/blsmith/mha/MHA10808.HTM
Hicks,
S-C Sacramental Theology, http://johnmarkhicks.wordpress.com/70/
(scroll down and find)
12/5 Lord’s
Supper
Wk. 15, 12/8 Congregational
Leadership
12/10 A
Cappella Singing
12/12 The
Position and Function of Churches of Christ Today. “Our Relation to Other Religious People,”
http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/blsmith/mha/MHA21117.HTM
Isaac Errett, “Our Position,” http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/ierrett/ourposition.html
Final exam: Monday, Dec. 15, 8:00-10:00
Grading Scale: ca. 625 points total.
90-100% = A 80-89 = B 70-79 = C 60-69 = D 0-59 = F
Although it is your responsibility to keep up with your
grades and absences, I will periodically post them on my website. Check your grades with last name and password
(H number).
COMPARATIVE DOGMATICS
BIBLIOGRAPHY
The Ante-Nicene Fathers: Translations of the
Writings of the Fathers down to A.D. 325. Edited by Roberts and Donaldson, 10 vols.
Asselt, Willem van, et
al., eds. Iconoclasm and Iconoclash:
Struggle for Religious Identity.
Baptism, Eucharist, and Ministry.
Beasley-Murray, G. R. Baptism in the New Testament. 1962;
reprint,
Bierma, Lyle D. An Introduction to the
Bingham, D. Jeffrey.
“Evangelicals, Irenaeus, and the Bible.” In The
Free Church and the Early Church: Bridging the Historical Divide. Ed. D. H.
Williams.
Blowers, Paul. “Creeds
and Confessions.” In Encyclopedia of the
Stone-Campbell Movement. Ed. Douglas A. Foster, et al., 252-6.
Boersma, Hans. “On Baking
Pumpkin Pie: Kevin Vanhoozer and Yves Congar on Tradition.” Calvin Theological Journal 42/2 (2007):
237-55.
Boring, M.
Burns, J. Patout, ed. Theological Anthropology. Sources of
Early Christian Thought.
. Christian Mysteries.
Available at http://christianmysteries.info/
Campbell, Thomas. Declaration and Address. 1809; reprint,
Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Congar, Yves M.-J. Tradition and Traditions: The Biblical,
Historical, and Theological Evidence for Catholic Teaching or Tradition.
Dulles, Avery. Models of Revelation. 1983; reprint,
Errett, Isaac. “Our
Position.” In Historical Documents Advocating Christian
Union. Ed. Charles Alexander Young, 289-333.
. The
Flatt, Bill, ed. The Instrumental Music Issue.
Foster, Douglas A., et
al., eds. The Encyclopedia of the
Stone-Campbell Movement.
Grenz, Stanley J. Renewing the Center: Evangelical Theology in
a Post-Theological Era.
and Roger E. Olson. 20th-Century Theology: God and
the World in a Transitional Age.
Haight, Roger. Christian Community in History, Volume One:
Historical Ecclesiology.
. Christian Community in
History, Volume Two: Comparative Ecclesiology.
Harnack, Adolf von. History of Dogma. 7 vols. 3rd
ed.
Heppe, Heinrich. Reformed Dogmatics Set Out and Illustrated
from the Sources. Edited by Ernst Bizer. Translated by G. T. Thomson.
Hicks, John Mark. Come to the Table: Revisioning the Lord’s
Supper.
. “Mediating the War between Arminians and Calvinists on Election and
Security: A Stone-Campbell Perspective,” Stone-Campbell
Journal 6/2 (2003): 163-84.
. “Stone-Campbell Sacramental Theology.” Restoration Quarterly 50/1 (2008): 35-48.
and Greg Taylor. Down in the River to Pray: Revisioning
Baptism as God’s Transforming Work.
Hillerbrand, Hans J. The Division of Christendom: Christianity in
the Sixteenth Century.
Hughes, Richard T. Reviving the Ancient Faith: The Story of
Churches of Christ in
Jedin, Hubert. A History of the Council of
Kärkkäinen, Veli-Matti. An Introduction to Ecclesiology: Ecumenical,
Historical and Global Perspectives.
. Pneumatology: The Holy Spirit
in Ecumenical, International, and Contextual Perspective.
. The Trinity: Global
Perspectives.
, et al., eds. Global
Dictionary of Theology.
Kelly, J. N. D. Early Christian Creeds.
Küng, Hans. The Church. Garden City: Image Books,
1976.
Lindbeck, George A. The Nature of Doctrine: Religion and
Theology in a Postliberal Age.
Lossky, Nicholas, et al.,
eds. Dictionary of the Ecumenical
Movement.
Mannion, Gerard, ed. Comparative Ecclesiology: Critical
Investigations.
Muller, Richard A. Dictionary of Latin and Greek Theological
Terms: Drawn Principally from Protestant Scholastic Theology.
. Post-Reformation Reformed
Dogmatics. 4 vols.
Noll, Mark. Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the
History of Christianity.
Norris, Richard A., ed. The Christological Controversy. Sources
of Early Christian Thought.
Olbricht, Thomas H. “The
Theology of the Church in Churches of Christ.” Restoration Quarterly 50/1 (2008): 15-34.
Peterson,
Robert A., and Michael D. Williams. Why I
Am Not an Arminian.
Pinnock,
Clark, et al. The Openness of God: A
Biblical Challenge to the Traditional Understanding of God.
Pinson,
J. Matthew, ed. Four Views on Eternal
Security.
Rouse,
Ruth, John Briggs et al., eds. A History
of the Ecumenical Movement. 3 vols.
Schaff, Philip. The Creeds of Christendom, with a History
and Critical Notes. 3 vols. 6th ed. 1931; reprint,
Smith, Dennis E. From Symposium to Eucharist: The Banquet in
the Early Christian World.
Smith, B. L. The Millennial Harbinger Abridged. 2
vols.
Stanglin, Keith D. Arminius on the Assurance of Salvation: The
Context, Roots, and Shape of the
. “Barna’s Revolution and
the Devolution of Ecclesiology.” Stone-Campbell
Journal 11/1 (2008): 59-69.
Tabbernee, William.
“Alexander Campbell and the Apostolic Tradition.” In The Free Church and the Early Church: Bridging the Historical and
Theological Divide. Edited by D. H. Williams, 163-80.
Vanhoozer, Kevin. The Drama of Doctrine: A
Canonical-Linguistic Approach to Christian Theology.
Vidmar, John. The Catholic Church through the Ages: A
History.
Volf, Miroslav. After Our Likeness: The Church as the Image
of the Trinity.
Walls,
Jerry L., and Joseph R. Dongell. Why I Am
Not a Calvinist.
Ware, Timothy
(Kallistos). The Orthodox Church. New
edition.
Williams, D. H., ed. The Free Church and the Early Church:
Bridging the Historical and Theological Divide.
Witherington, Ben, III. The Problem with Evangelical Theology:
Testing the Exegetical Foundations of Calvinism, Dispensationalism and
Wesleyanism.