The United Methodist Church. Memphis-Tennessee-Holston Course of Study. Theology in the Wesleyan Spirit. Instructor: Rev'd Dr Robert Webster

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1 The United Methodist Church Memphis-Tennessee-Holston Course of Study Theology in the Wesleyan Spirit Instructor: Rev'd Dr Robert Webster Fridays: p.m. Saturdays 8.00 a.m.-noon, p.m. September 11-12, 2009 October 2-3, 2009 Martin Methodist College Pulaski, Tennessee

2 Theology in the Wesleyan Spirit COS 112 Instructor: Rev'd Dr Robert Webster Dalewood United Methodist Church 2300 Ridgecrest Drive Nashville, Tennessee Telephone: Objectives The objectives of this course are as follows: To provide a general understanding of theology and its importance for an understanding for ministry and proclamation. To show the particular contribution that the rise and development of the Methodist movement made to Christian history and theology. To examine the cultural and social implications of key theological doctrines which have been emphasized in Wesleyan and Methodist history. To expose the student to some of the key methods of inquiry and important theological sources for further investigation into Methodist theology and history. Assigned Readings The following texts are required for the course and need to be read thoroughly before the meeting of the classes. Just a note: If you do not read the assigned materials it will be hard for you to pass the course as a working knowledge of the materials will necessary for both written and oral discussions. The Book of Discipline (2008). Nashville: The United Methodist Publishing House, Collins, Kenneth J. The Scripture Way of Salvation: The Heart of John Wesley's Theology. Nashville: Abingdon Press, ISBN Jacobs, Alan. Original Sin: A Cultural History. San Francisco: Harper One, ISBN Maddox, Randy L. Responsible Grace: John Wesley's Practical Theology. Nashville: Kingswood Books, ISBN Matthews, Rex D. Timetables of History for Students of Methodism. Nashville: Abingdon Press ISBN

3 Noll, Mark A. The Rise of Evangelicalism: The Age of Edwards, Whitefield and the Wesleys. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, ISBN Rack, Henry D. Reasonable Enthusiast: John Wesley and the Rise of Methodism. 3rd edition. London and Nashville: Epworth Press and Abingdon press, ISBN 978-U Richey. Russell, et. al. Marks of Methodism: Theology in Ecclesial Practice. Volume 5 in United Methodism and American Culture Series. Nashville: Abingdon Press, ISBN Strong, Douglas. et. al. Reclaiming the Wesleyan Tradition: John Wesley's Sermons for Today. Nashville: Discipleship Resources, ISBN Tyson, John R. Assist Me to Proclaim: The Life and Hymns of Charles Wesley. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., ISBN Watson, David Lowes. The Early Methodist Class Meeting: Its Origin and Significance. Nashville: Wipf and Stock, Publishers, ISBN Wesley, John. The Appeals to Men of Reason and Religion and Certain Related Open Letters in The Works of John Wesley. Vol. 11. Ed. Gerald R. Cragg and Richard P. Heitzenrater. Nashville: Abingdon Press, ISBN Wigger, John H. Taking Heaven by Storm: Methodism and the Rise of Popular Christianity in America. University of Illinois Press, ISBN Requirements Attendance is mandatory for all sessions and can only be excused by an emergency. Written Work (50%), Test Evaluations (25%), and Class Participation (25%) shall be a part of the overall class work and your evaluation will be divided up in this manner. All papers are expected to be written in good English grammar and turned in on time. Written comments and grades on papers will be evaluated for style and content. Note: All written work should be placed in an envelope with your name, address, and telephone number clearly printed on the outside and handed to the instructor at the beginning of the class. Pre-Class Assignments (Due at First Session in September 11, 2009) A written evaluation of the Methodists doctrinal heritage as included in pp of The Book of Discipline (2008). What is Methodism's strengths and weaknesses for the modem world? One copy should be presented to instructor at class time.

4 An Aldersgate Sunday Sermon which celebrates the history and heritage of some aspect of John Wesley's life and ministry suitable for proclamation in the local church. This sermon manuscript should be instructional and inspirational. It should also be written in a concise grammatical style and no longer than 6-7 pages in length ( words). One copy should be presented to instructor at class time. An essay on the views of Methodist theology as compared in Maddox's Responsible Grace and Collins's The Way of Salvation. What does each believe the kernel and essence of Methodist theology to be? At what junctures do Maddox and Collins disagree or agree about the significance of Methodist theology? Whose argument do you find most persuasive? This essay should be between 7-10 ( words) pages double spaced with footnotes at the bottom of the page. Two copies should be brought to class. One for use with a roundtable discussion and one to be handed into the instructor. Write a book review (5-6 pages, 1,250-1,500 words) on Tyson's Assist me to Proclaim. How do you see Charles Wesley's significance in early Methodism? What was he most concerned about? How did he disagree or agree with ills brother John about the Methodist cause? Pre-C1ass Assignment (Due at Second Session in October 2, 2009) Write a comparative book review on Rack's Reasonable Enthusiast and John Wesley's essays in the The Appeals volume of The Work of John Wesley, v. 11. (10-15 pages 2,500-3,750 words). How does Rack see the rise of Methodism in the larger social and historical development of religion and culture? How does John Wesley see himself in the historical development of religion and culture? What is the major contribution of Methodism according to Rack? Bring one copy for instructor at class. Work through Strong's Reclaiming the Wesleyan Heritage that deals with Wesley's sermons. We will use this book in small group discussion. Write an interaction paper (8-10 pages, 2,000-2,500 words) engaging with the ideas presented in Jacobs and Wigger's books. How did the early Methodists see sin? What was its meaning and what did it mean to 'flee the wrath to come'? Bring two copies of this paper to class. One for small groups and one for the instructor. Write a narrative paper (2 pages, 500 words) outlining the major items you have gained from the course. What new things did you learn from this course about Methodist theology? What opinions did you change your mind about or are currently struggling and thinking about in regard to Methodist theology?

5 Course Outline Session One: Friday, September 11, pm Introductory Overview of the Course Presentation: The Theological Importance of the Past for the Future. Conferencing around the Table: A Discussion of Major themes of the Evangelical Movement (Noll) and how Methodism in the eighteenth century contribute to this theological movement, (Watson and Book of Discipline). Session Two: Saturday, September 12, am noon Presentation: The Theological Implications of John Wesley s Mission and Ministry. Conferencing around the Table: What ideas of historical Methodism were fundamental in creating and sustaining the self-identification of Methodism in the eighteenth century (Rack). Has this selfidentification survived or been modified in the modem world? Session Three: Saturday, September 12, pm Presentation: Sine qua Non: The Wesleyan Idea of Grace Conferencing Around the Table: A Discussion of Grace and how it works in the life of the Church (Maddox and Collins) Session Four: Friday, October pm Presentation: The Wesleyan Idea of Proclamation and its Viability for a Theology of Conversion. Round Table Conferencing: Discuss some of Wesley's Sermons (Strong) relating not only their content but in what ways you think they served to formulate a Methodist Identity of Conversion. Session Five: Saturday, October 3, noon Presentation: "The Healing Nature of the Eucharist in Wesleyan Theology". Round Table Discussion: Discuss and review Rack's book and respond to how the Eucharist important in your understanding of grace.

6 Session Six: Saturday, October 3, pm Presentation: "Happiness and Holiness: The Theological Relevance of Methodist in the Modern World". Round Table Discussion: Discuss how you think Methodism is theological relevant and irrelevant in the modern world using (Richey) as a source. Session Seven: Saturday October 3, pm Final Examination A Word About Grading Evaluation will be given a numerical grading on written projects and tests. The following grading will be used. A= B = C= D=70-75 F= Below 70