I. Course Description

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1 SPF/CTH 7775 DE Theology of Suffering, Reconciliation and Forgiveness ASHLAND THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Spring Semester, 2017 at the Detroit Center Face-to-Face Weekend Class Schedule (25.5 class hours) Jan , Feb , Mar. 31/Apr. 1 Friday - 6:00PM-9:00PM, Saturday - 8:00AM-4:00PM Hybrid course with Online Discussion Component (12 class hours) January 30, February 6, 13, 27 March 13, 20 Rev. William M. Beachy, Ph.D. wbeachy2@ashland.edu Cell Phone: This course utilizes an online component (Blackboard) as its major teaching medium. Access to a reliable computer and the internet through a high-speed means (dial-up access does not usually work satisfactorily in this course) is required, as is familiarity with the use of Blackboard (assistance in Blackboard is provided in video format within the course). It is highly recommended that you be familiar with computer and web functions prior to starting the course since it is not advised to try to learn them while the course is in progress. On-line learning often requires more self-motivation than a regular class and is not suitable for every student. I. Course Description This course addresses the theology of suffering and evil with Christian response of reconciliation and forgiveness. The purpose of the course is to enable Christians in ministerial service to deal with the problems of suffering in the midst of the world and to offer the Christian message of grace and hope in the midst of suffering. II. Student Learning Outcomes Students will be able to: 1. Not assessed in this course. 2. Not assessed in this course. 3. Not assessed in this course. 4. a. Articulate the historical tradition of the church in light of the issues of suffering, death, and forgiveness. 1 b. Reflect upon their own traditions in light of theological topics of suffering and forgiveness in Christ. 2 c. Engage in theological reflection and biblical reflection on issues of suffering and forgiveness Not assessed in this course. 6. Practice ministry skills to meet people in suffering and offer forgiveness and hope in Christ. 3 III. Course Requirements A. Textbooks Required: Lewis, C.S. A Grief Observed. San Francisco: Harpers, ISBN: Nouwen, Henri J. The Wounded Healer. New York: Doubleday, Image Books, ISBN: Wolstersdorrf, Nicolas. Lament for a Son. Grand Rapids: Erdmans. ISBN: Hillesum, Etty. An Interrupted Life & Letters from Westerbork. New York: Picador (Macmillan) ISBN

2 B. Attendance According to the Student Handbook, attendance at all class sessions is expected, unless the professor has been notified in advance and has approved the absence. Students should be on time and should stay through the duration of all classes. Any student missing more than six class hours will be required to do additional work, receive a lower grade, audit or withdraw from the class, or be penalized otherwise at the discretion of the professor. C. Assignments/Assessment of Student Learning: Assignments have been structured to guide you through increasingly complex thought processes as you build your understanding of suffering, forgiveness and reconciliation. You will be required to write research, reflective and personal experience papers in this class. Papers will be graded on clarity, coherence, depth of insight, and constructive engagement with course content. For all papers, any sources you use must be appropriately documented in the text. All such material must be quoted exactly, using quotation marks, or paraphrased completely. Any biblical references should be documented in parentheses in the text. Papers should use gender-inclusive language about people and should conform to Turabian style. See the ATS Writing Handbook. D. Case Study (55%) 1. Personal "From Through To" experience (FTT) 10% (100 points) 2-3 pages. Due: February 1, 2017 A. God is continually seeking to intersect with our lives moment by moment, day by day. Our biggest struggle is often seeking to overcome the suffering we experience. We are hurt by the actions of another, someone who has caused us harm: emotionally, spiritually, physically and psychologically. What do we do in the middle of our suffering? Cry out to God, seek counseling, a spiritual director, express our anger, seek revenge or retribution? We know that if we do not forgive those who have in some way precipitated our suffering; it has the potential to rupture our soul and deplete our spirit, rob us of joy, peace and contentment. How do we forgive? How do we reconcile with the other, if at all? FROM---SUFFERING (to suffer): This section describes the transcendence crisis. It is a brief narrative of the event that caused our suffering and the components which best describe the condition of ones spiritual, physical, emotional, psychological disposition. I received the devastating phone call, he told me through a text message, I got word straight from the doctor, I heard the screech of tires and just knew.i couldn t think, I was numb, my mind was racing, my stomach was in a knot, I became angry. In the middle of this angry, hurtful moment, God caught my attention (a prompting of the Holy Spirit), it stopped me short and I listened to the still small voice within. THROUGH FORGIVENESS (to forgive): This section describes the inner evaluation of the depleted, fragmented suffering self that is not living in the fullness of life as God intends. I reviewed the event how did I react, why was it so painful, can God help me work through the pain, I pictured the person in my mind, I sought the scripture to see what it says about forgiveness, I prayed a prayer of forgiveness. I invited God to forgive me and renew my spirit. 2

3 TO RECONCILIATION (to reconcile): This section leads to what one might call the aha moment the moment of Grace. It is the moment in which one has come to accept something that was not desired. First and foremost it is served to overcome the distrust and hostility toward the other and bring harmony to one s spirit. This does not necessarily mean once and for all. Inherent in the word reconcile is the concept of doing it again and again. concile comes from the Latin root word for council to come together. To come together with God in my prayer and meditation to reconcile my forgiveness toward the one who caused me to suffer. Secondarily, it is to settle the situation with the other. I developed a new resolve to follow more closely in the footsteps of Jesus and seek his compassion, humility and servant hood. 2. FTT-Rewrite 10% (100 points) 2-3 pages Due: February 22, 2017 Once your FTT has been submitted and reviewed, the professor will return it for you to rewrite the paper. Your rewrite will be based upon the interaction between you and the professor, the professor s comments, questions and edits and new insight you have gained from this dialogue. There may be several rewrites in this stage in order to clearly understand the concepts, issues and spiritual directives that are taking place in your experience. 3. Research component 10% (100 points) 2-3 pages Due: March 15, 2017 Once your FTT has been approved by the professor you will research the theological and biblical concepts, issues and spiritual directives that have emerged. 3-5 significant books or articles will be required to provide the foundation for your research. Wikipedia articles are not accepted. 4. Final Paper 25% (250 points) pages Due: April 12, 2017 Your final paper will be an integrative reflection piece that provides insight into your from, through to experience with findings from your research that expounds upon your understanding of suffering, forgiveness and reconciliation. Your conclusions will include what you have learned through your experience, how it has made an impact upon your life and ministry and how you will approach experiences of suffering, forgiveness and reconciliation in the future with yourself and with those to whom you are called to provide spiritual care and nurture. 5. Class participation: 15%--50 points each weekend class session=150 points. Discussion will form an important part of both the face to face and the online component of this class, since doing theology has a corporate as well as an individual dimension. Please come to either form of class having read the material and prepared to participate. Participation will be graded on the quality of your contributions to the ongoing conversation. Face to face classroom sessions: will meet on Friday and Saturday, January 27-28, February & March 31-April 1. The Friday classes will meet from 6-9pm and Saturday classes from 8am to 4pm. Time will be allotted for intermittent breaks and lunch. 3

4 6. Online participation: 30%--50 points each week, 6 weeks=300 points. E. Calculation of Grade: Online component on Blackboard: Reading assignments, posting criteria and questions for you to answer will be available on Blackboard for each week of online class (January 30, February 6, 13, 27, March 13, 20 six weeks total). The posting for your answers to the questions during each week will be due on Wednesday at 11.59pm. In addition, you will respond to the answers provided by several of your classmates in order to simulate a classroom discussion. These responses are due on Friday at 11.59pm. Failure to meet these time frames will result in a deduction of points. Assignment Learning Outcomes Due Date Grade Case Study 6 February 1, % Case Study Rewrite 6 February 22, % Case Study Research 4a, c March 15, % Case Study Final project 4a, b, c, 6, April 12, % Class Discussion 4b, c, 6, Jan 27-28, Feb 24-25, Mar 31-April 1 15% Online Discussion 4b, c, 6 Jan 30-Feb 3, Feb 6-10, Feb 13-17, 30% Feb 27-Mar 3, March 13-17, March IV. Course Outline In Class January Online January-February 3 Online February 6-10 Online February In Class February Online February 27-March 3 Spring Break March 6-10 Online March Online March In class March 31-April 1 Introduction: Understanding the spiritually formative movement of From Through To. God and Evil The Book of Job Process of Suffering C S. Lewis A Grief Observed. Nicolas Wolsterdorrf Lament for a Son Ministering in Suffering Henri Nouwen, The Wounded Healer No Assignments Etty Hillesum, An Interrupted Life & Letters from Westerbork Personal Suffering Reconciliation and Forgiveness King Sermons, Handouts on Forgiveness 4

5 V. Recommendations for Lifelong Learning. 1. Continue to minister to others in need, regarding suffering and hope. 2. Continue to read scripture and consider theological reflection. 3. Continue to read books for theological resources. VI. SEMINARY GUIDELINES A. ATS Academic Integrity Policy: Ashland Theological Seminary expects each student to uphold the Seminary s core value of academic excellence by contributing to an environment that is both challenging and supportive. In such an environment a student will neither seek nor offer improper assistance. All students have an obligation to be forthright in their academic endeavors and to respect ethical standards. The work that one submits for academic evaluation must be one s own, unless an instructor expressly permits certain types of collaboration. Academic integrity requires that each student will use one s own capabilities to achieve one s fullest potential and will neither offer nor accept aid that is not in keeping with regularly accepted standards of academic integrity. Failure to conform to this conduct shall constitute academic dishonesty. The full Academic Integrity Policy statement may be found in the Student Handbook. B. Seminary Writing Consultation Service The Seminary Writing Consultation Service is an important service for all Seminary students, especially those who have been away from academia for a while or international students adapting to Seminary study in the United States. As you strive to become a better thinker and writer at the graduate level, our masters qualified Seminary Writing Consultants can help with the following issues: Improving organization and structure Enhancing word flow, clarity, and readability Fulfilling APA or other formal style guidelines, including in-text citation and final documentation Identifying and correcting grammar and punctuation errors Please remember, however, that the Seminary Writing Consultation Service is not permitted to write or correct a paper for you. Hours: By Appointment Only. For further information, consult the Seminary Webpage: C. Students with Disabilities: It is Ashland University s goal that learning experiences be as accessible as possible. If you anticipate or experience physical or academic barriers based on a disability, please contact Disability Services at , or send an to dservices@ashland.edu. The Disability Services office and the course instructor will work together in order to establish accommodations and to meet your learning needs. D. ATS Grading Scale Grade Percent Description A Superior achievement of course objectives, diligence and originality, high degree of freedom from error, outstanding evidence of ability to utilize course knowledge, initiative expressed in preparing and completing assignments, positive contributions verbalized in class. A B B Good work submitted, commendable achievement of course objectives, some aspects of the course met with excellence, substantial evidence of ability to utilize course material, positive contributions verbalized in class, consistency and thoroughness of work completed. 5

6 B C C Acceptable work completed, satisfactory achievement of course objectives, demonstrating at least some ability to utilize course knowledge, satisfactory class contribution. C D D Passing but minimal work, marginal achievement of course objectives, poor performance in comprehension of work submitted, inadequate class contributions. D F Below 65 Unacceptable work resulting in failure to receive class credit, inadequacy of work submitted or of performance and attendance in class. VII. Selected Bibliography Augsburger, David W. Helping People Forgive. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox, Donnelly, Doris. Putting Forgiveness into Practice. Texas: Argus, Hick, John. Evil and the God of Love. New York: Harper & Row, Jones, L. Gregory. Embodying Forgiveness: A Theological Analysis. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Lewis, C.S. The Problem of Pain. new York: Macmillan, Meninger, William, The Process of Forgiveness. New York: Continuum, Seamands, David A. Healing of Memories. Wheaton: Victor Books, Simon, Sidney B. and Simon, Suzanne. Forgiveness. New York: Warner, Taylor, Michael, ed. The Mystery of Suffering and Death. New York: Alba House, Yancey, Philip. Where is God When It Hurts. Grand Rapids: Zondervan,