Saturday, February 15, 2014

Old Testament Class - April 25 & 26, 2014

We will be hosting our Old Testament Class April 25 and 26. This class is taught by Carol Miles. This course introduces participants to the content of the Old Testament and to the task of interpreting the Old Testament for contemporary Christian congregations. This is a wonderful class for Elders, Deacons, Christian Educator and anyone who whats to understand this wonderful Book of ours better. 

You can sign up for this class or any other of our dozen classes at:
karl@shadley.net or 510-435-4264
***********

Rev. Dr. Carol Antablin Miles

M.Div., Ph.D., Princeton Theological Seminary 
MA, Univeristy of Southern California,
BA, University of California, Berkeley
Dr. Miles has served in ministry to youth, university students, and young adults for three decades. An abiding interest in theological education led Dr. Miles to teaching positions in the Southwest and the Midwest first, as Assistant Professor of Homiletics at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Austin, TX, and subsequently as Associate Professor of Biblical Preaching at Luther Seminary, in St. Paul, MN. She served as the Executive Director and Pastor to Westminster House at Berkeley and Presently is teaching Preaching at the Lutheran Seminary in Berkeley

Education Center Leadership Classes
BIBLE: OLD TESTAMENT
Presbytery of San Francisco – April 25-26, 2014
Instructor: Carol Miles 925) 817-9396 revdrcarolmiles@gmail.com

Course Description:
This course introduces participants to the content of the Old Testament and to the task of interpreting the Old Testament for contemporary Christian congregations. Questions of the Old Testament’s abiding authority for the church are addressed, and attention is given to the way its major literary forms (narrative, law, prophecy, psalm, wisdom saying) uniquely bear witness to the gospel of God.

Required Texts:
The Bible – NRSV Study Bible (Harper Collins or Oxford)
Jeff S. Anderson, The Old Testament: Its Story and History (available as an e-book on lulu.com, or in paperback from amazon), 2011
Ellen F. Davis, Getting Involved with God: Rediscovering the Old Testament, Cowley Publications, 2001

Recommended Resources:
Bruce C. Birch, Walter Brueggeman, Terence E. Fretheim, and David L. Petersen, eds., A Theological Introduction to the Old Testament, 2nd ed., Abingdon Press, 2005
OR
Walter Brueggeman and Walter C. Kaiser, eds., The New Interpreter’s Bible Old Testament Survey, Abingdon Press, 2006

Course Requirements:

  1. Attendance at both class sessions.
  2. Completion of all required readings.
  3. A final assignment TBA. DUE: May 15, 2014.

In order to receive a passing grade for the class, ALL work must be completed and turned in no later than May 28, 2014.


Pre-Course Assignment:

Prior to the first class session, please read the two required texts (Anderson and Davis) and come prepared to discuss what you consider to be the problems and possibilities of teaching and preaching the Old Testament in your current congregation.



Reformed Theology and History I & II - Syllabus

Reformed Theology and History - Syllabus
 The Rev. Gregory Anderson Love, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Systematic Theology San Francisco Theological Seminary Minister of Word and Sacrament (PCUSA)

 Required Text 1. Emil Brunner, Our Faith.  (153 very easy pages)
 Strongly Recommended but not required 1. Shirley Guthrie, Christian Doctrine: Revised Edition (Westminster John Knox Press). (399 pages)
Recommended Texts 1. The Presbyterian Book of Confessions: Study Edition.
2. Daniel Migliore, Faith Seeking Understanding: 2nd Edition (Eerdmans Publishing Co.).
3. Christopher Elwood, Calvin for Armchair Theologians.

Prior to the Friday, February 28 Class the student will . . .
Read the Following: Emil Brunner, Our Faith, Chs. 1-7, (pp. 1-33).
(Not Required) Shirley Guthrie, Christian Doctrine: Revised Edition, Chs. 1-9 (pp. 3-191).
Answer this question: Theological Method: In a two-page, double-spaced essay, answer this question: Out of the four sources for Christian theology—Scripture; the Christian tradition; reason (and philosophy); and contemporary human experience (including the sciences), which two are most important for you as you do theology, and why?

Prior to Friday, March 28 Class the student will...
Read the Following: Emil Brunner, Our Faith, Chs. 8-35, (pp. 34-153).
(Not Required) Shirley Guthrie, Christian Doctrine: Revised Edition, Chs. 10-19 (pp. 192-399).
Answer one of the following two questions: Human Sin: In a three-page, double-spaced essay, answer this question: What is the core trait of human sin? And do we have the ability to leave evil and return to the good under our own capacities, or not, and why?

The Saving Work of Christ: The Christian faith claims that Jesus saves us from sin, suffering and death. How does Jesus save us?

After the last Class the student will...
Write a Statement of Faith: Submit your own Statement of Faith (one-page maximum).
* * * * ~ The Human Condition: all-good and All-fallen into Sin ~ The Person of Christ.

Basic Outline 
Friday, February 28: ~ Reformed History in the context of Western Church History ~ Distinctive Reformed Doctrinal Emphases ~ The Task of Theology: Faith Seeking Understanding ~ Theological Method
Saturday, March 1: ~ General Revelation and Special Revelation ~ The Authority of Scripture ~ The Trinity ~ The Attributes of God ~ The Doctrine of Election (predestination) ~ Creation ~ Providence and Evil Friday,

Friday and Saturday, March 28-28 : ~ The Saving Work of Christ. ~ The Person and Saving Work of the Holy Spirit ~ Justification by Grace through Faith Alone; Baptism. ~ Sanctification in Love. ~ Eschatology; the Lord’s Supper. ~ Vocation in Hope, and the Church.

Course Objectives ~ The student will learn the history of the Reformed Tradition, and see its place within church history in the West. ~ The student will learn the basic doctrines of the Christian faith from the angle of the Reformed Tradition, and be able to identify particular emphases of the Reformed faith. ~ The student will write her or his Statement of Faith. Course Standards Requirements: ~ attendance at all four class sessions. ~ do the required reading. ~ turn in all written assignments. Evaluation of Student Achievement The following assignments will be graded (on a pass/fail basis): ~ 2-page paper on theological method. ~ 3-page paper on human sin or Christ’s saving work. ~ 1-page Statement of Faith.

Reformed Theology & History - February 28 & March 1, 2014

Reformed Theology & History - February 28 & March 1
Friday night from 7pm to 10pm and on Saturday from 8:30am to 3:30pm at the Education Center in El Cerrito, CA. 

We are so pleased that our reformed theology classes are being taught by The Rev. Dr. Gregory Love. Greg is a professor at San Francisco Theological Seminary. Greg is also a popular speaker and preacher. Because of his passion for the local church, Greg, a Presbyterian pastor, makes theology accessible to laity by teaching hundreds of classes in Bay Area Presbyterian churches. 

Here is what some of our students are saying about Greg's classes. 
I am enjoying thoroughly our classes with Greg. Study of theology is entirely new to me and Greg is making the subject come alive. He has a wonderful blend of knowledge and delivery that educates, challenges, nurtures and intrigues me. I am eager to get to the end of November for our next meeting.We are indeed very blessed to have Greg as one of our instructors.”
Rich Williams (Rich is a leader and Elder at 1st Presbyterian Church Hayward)
__________
Greg taught with such enthusiasm for the subject that I couldn't help being excited about what I was learning. The information was clear and concise, and at the same time far-reaching. It was presented in a way that allowed us to see the breadth of the views of each doctrine in a consistent format...like pieces of a puzzle. I really see it as a privilege to have access to these well-respected, knowledgeable theologians.” 
Kristan Verveniotis (Kristan is a Christian Educator at San Carlos Presbyterian Church)
__________
Karl, I would like to thank you and the Presbytery for engaging Greg to lead the Theology course within our current Commissioned Lay Pastor program. We covered many essential doctrines in the 10 hours that we have had so far and it left me wanting more.  The next class seems too far off.  Greg’s presentation of the Doctrine of Election was fabulous and without a doubt the most satisfying explanation of a very difficult and sometimes divisive topic that I have encountered.  I’ve wrestled with the topic while discovering my personal theology and was able to arrive (with considerable help from Greg) at a very balanced position that centers on the Grace of God in our election.  It’s obvious that Systematic Theology is passion of Greg’s which makes his instruction a thoroughly enjoyable, enlightening experience.  Thanks again to you and him for helping all of the potential CLP candidates get the most of this potentially life-changing opportunity.”
Darryl McCollum (Darryl is an Elder and Youth Leader at 1st Presbyterian Concord)
_________
Greg has been gifted with the ability to dissect and present complex theological issues with extreme clarity.  He is obviously passionate about what he does and somehow transmits not only information, but a part of his conviction to us. But in particular, I love how he presents all views on any particular issue so that I can clearly see where I lie on the spectrum of current theological discourse. I guess he lived up to the hype.” Thomas Hong (Tom is a member at Calvary PC Berkeley and a senior at UC Berkeley)

Sign up for classes by contacting Karl Shadley (510)435-4264 "Karl@shadley.net"