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.