ESCHATOLOGY SYLLABUS

Transcription

1 Dr. John A. Adair ST106HO, Eschatology (3 hours) Office: Rgcy. 120, (713) Mon., 1:15pm 4:00pm Dallas Theological Seminary ESCHATOLOGY SYLLABUS I. COURSE DESCRIPTION A study of eschatology, the doctrine of the consummation of God s plan of redemption, including major themes in eschatology and the order of predicted events. The course will include a review of the biblical creation and redemption narrative with an opportunity for a synthetic capstone summary of Christian doctrine. Pre- or Corequisites: ST II. COURSE OBJECTIVES This course is designed A. To encourage the students to formulate and to develop their thinking about these doctrinal areas through class notes, readings, and discussions. The student should expect to 1) gain a synthetic overview of the doctrines 2) gain some appreciation for the historical development and contemporary expression of the doctrines 3) become aware of the key definitions of the doctrines 4) become familiar with the key biblical passages relating to these doctrines and 5) obtain a bibliography to facilitate further study. B. To encourage the students to develop their comprehension of the implications of theology for Christian living, ministry, and relevant issues through the class sessions and personally selected assignments. The students should expect to be exposed to various approaches to theology as a basis for refining skills such as 1) traditional proof-texting 2) biblical theology 3) historical theology 4) contemporary case studies. C. To encourage the students to formulate conclusions to subjects and issues of eschatology through selected assignments and discussion. The students will be encouraged to 1) begin to comprehend and appreciate the fundamental and pervasive character of eschatology in Scripture 2) rejoice in their eschatological hope 3) confess and defend a Christian eschatological position 4) understand and respect the theological heritage of DTS and the views of the rapture, tribulation, and millennium 5) clarify their personal convictions on the rapture, tribulation, millennium and other non-essential eschatological issues 6) recognize and appreciate the diversity of perspectives within the evangelical community 7) understand and appreciate the significance of eschatology for the dispensational tradition 8) consider how to live as a person of hope and how to communicate that hope to others.

2 ST106HO, Eschatology 2 III. COURSE TEXTBOOKS A. Required Blaising, Craig, et al. Three Views on the Rapture. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, (283 pp.) Bock, Darrell, ed. Three Views on the Millennium and Beyond. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, (302 pp.) Daniel the book in the Bible by that name. This book must be read in its entirety in one sitting in order to receive credit. (25 pp.) Svigel, Michael J. When He Returns: Resurrection, Judgment, and the Restoration. In Nathan D. Holsteen and Michael J. Svigel, eds. Exploring Christian Theology. Vol. 3: The Church, Spiritual Growth, and the End Times. Minneapolis: Bethany House, NOTE: For ST 106, only the second half of this volume must be read. (120 pp.) Revelation the book in the Bible by that name. This book must be read in its entirety in one sitting in order to receive credit. (27 pp.) For 3-hour students only Blaising, Craig A. and Darrel Bock. Progressive Dispensationalism. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, (292 pp.) Pate, Marvin, ed. Four Views on Revelation. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, (222 pp.) Walvoord, John. End Times. Nashville: Nelson/Word, (Available in Swindoll, Charles R. and Roy B. Zuck, eds. Understanding Christian Theology [Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2003]). (126 pp.) B. Suggested Berry, R. J. The Care of Creation: Focusing Concern and Action. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, Bonzo, J. Matthew, and Michael R. Stevens, Wendell Berry and the Cultivation of Life: A Reader s Guide. Grand Rapids: Brazos Press, Chia, Roland. Hope for the World: A Christian Vision of the Last Things. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, Crockett, William, ed. Four Views on Hell. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, Daley, Brian J., ed. Apocalyptic Thought in Early Christianity. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, Fudge, Edward William and Robert A. Peterson. Two Views on Hell. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, Hill, Charles E. Regnum Caelorum: Patterns of Millennial Thought in Early Christianity. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Kreider, Glenn R. Jonathan Edwards s Interpretation of Revelation 4:1 8:1. Lanham, MD: University Press of America, Pentecost, J. Dwight. Things to Come. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, Rhoads, David, ed. From every People and Nation; The Book of Revelation in Intercultural Perspective. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, Sandy, D. Brent. Plowshares and Pruning Hooks. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, Spilsbury, Paul. The Throne, the Lamb and the Dragon. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, Wilcock, Michael. The Message of Revelation. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, Wright, Christopher J. H. The Mission of God: Unlocking the Bible s Grand Narrative. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.

3 ST106HO, Eschatology 3 Wright, N. T. Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church. New York: HarperOne, Yancey, Philip. Rumors of Another World. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, C. Supplementary Bibliography See bibliographies in textbooks. IV. COURSE REQUIREMENTS A. Reading Assignments All students will be required to complete the assigned reading, which consists of the required textbooks listed above. A reading report is due, via Canvas, by 11 May. Points toward the final grade will be awarded in accordance with the percentage of reading completed. B. Written Assignments For 2- and 3-hour students 1. Systematic Theology Capstone Doctrinal Synthesis Project: Drawing on his or her doctrinal synthesis papers prepared for ST101 ST105 and incorporating reflection and writing for ST106, the student will prepare a page personal doctrinal statement covering all of the loci of systematic theology: ST101 (Bibliology), ST102 (Trinitarianism, including Theology Proper, Paterology, Christology, Pneumatology), ST103 (Angelology, Anthropology, and Hamartiology), ST104 (Soteriology), ST105 (Sanctification and Ecclesiology), and ST106 (Eschatology). This capstone doctrinal synthesis project will consist of four distinct parts: 1) Basic Doctrinal Statement 2) Theological Narrative 3) Explanatory Articulation and Defense 4) Theological Integrative Project 1) Basic Doctrinal Statement. The basic statement will be one (1) page, single spaced (about 500 words). This first section, drawing from the Brief Statement sections in previous ST doctrinal synthesis papers, will summarize the student s personal doctrinal convictions in non-technical (but biblically and theologically accurate) language similar to a church s or ministry s doctrinal statement. It will include parenthetical key Scripture references and will seek to reflect the orthodox, protestant, evangelical faith. 2) Theological Narrative. This detailed statement will be six (6) pages, single spaced, (about 3,500 words). This second section, drawing from the Detailed Exposition sections in previous ST doctrinal synthesis papers, will provide a comprehensive account of the student s theological system covering all areas of systematic theology. This exposition should read like a paper one would submit as part of an ordination or interviewing process for a ministry position. 3) Explanatory Articulation and Defense. Substantiating his or her detailed theological narrative, the student will include five to eight (5 8) single spaced pages of endnotes (not footnotes) that provide biblical-exegetical, historical-theological, and scientific-philosophical evidences, arguments, and explanations of the doctrinal assertions in the narrative. These endnotes may be incorporated from previous doctrinal synthesis assignments in ST , but they should be well-edited, revised, enhanced, and supplemented to conform to this summative capstone doctrinal synthesis paper. These endnotes will include not only key biblical references but also interpretive notes that incorporate commentaries, theological works, or historical citations. Biblical citations should be without quotation, except when an exegetical point is not obvious. Justify interpretations of ambiguous passages with clarifying notes. Exegetical, theological, and historical sources, references, and observations should explain the student s reasons for the affirmations in the theological narrative. In these notes, the student should incorporate insights gained from other courses in the curriculum, especially from other courses in the Biblical Studies and Theological Studies divisions. Bibliographic references should use Turabian formatting. E.g.,

4 ST106HO, Eschatology 4 10 Glenn R. Kreider, Wise Unto Salvation: Gospel, Atonement, and Saving Grace, in Nathan D. Holsteen and Michael J. Svigel, eds., Exploring Christian Theology, vol. 2, Creation, Fall, and Salvation (Minneapolis: Bethany House, 2015), 127. The student must incorporate sources beyond the required reading for this course. 4) Theological Integrative Project. To facilitate an opportunity for theological reflection and creative expression, this component of the capstone doctrinal synthesis project grants the student freedom to create an artifact evidencing a meaningful integration of the narrative of theology in any of a variety of media. In deciding on a particular medium or creative expression, the student will consider his or her ministry emphasis, degree program, or anticipated area of vocational ministry focus. The student is encouraged to consult with his or her emphasis advisor or internship mentor when settling on an integrative project. The following are merely suggestions of the kinds of integrative projects that can be done for this component of the capstone synthesis project. 1. Creative Writing. The student may write an original fiction or non-fiction short story piece from a Christian worldview perspective. The creative writing should clearly communicate or illustrate the narrative of Christian theology in any genre (drama, dialogue, children s, picture books, sci-fi, fantasy, adventure, humor, romance, historical, etc.) Stories should be between 10 and 15 pages and written in any language. 2. Study Guide/Curriculum/Sermon(s). The student may create lesson plans, sermon notes, devotional materials, study guides, or other curriculum elements of 10 to 15 pages in length (including, for example, expositional sections, study and discussion questions, activities, original charts and graphs, handouts, etc.), clearly communicating or illustrating the narrative of Christian theology. 3. Multimedia Presentation/Artwork. The student may create a work of visual, musical, or other art that clearly communicates or illustrates the narrative of Christian theology. This could include composing and recording music, a song, a short film, a web site, a board game, or some similar recordable presentation. General Instructions. Each of these assignments should be no less than 10 and preferably no more than 15 pages in length, or, in the case of recorded materials, no less than 5 and no more than 10 minutes in duration. To encourage creativity, however, assignments may exceed these limits if necessary but please note that the professor or graders may only read a maximum of 15 pages and observe a maximum of 10 minutes of any assignment, and grades will be assigned based on this sampling. All assignments must clearly and intentionally focus on communicating or illustrating the narrative of Christian theology. The student will submit his or her theological integrative project on the Canvas course page for ST106 as a file attachment. If it is a work of visual or audio art, the student will upload a picture or provide a link to the media. Each student must also submit a brief, single-page summary of the project (in English), describing the project and articulating how it clearly communicates or illustrates the narrative of Christian theology. NOTE: Due to the large number and great variety of creative projects submitted each semester, detailed feedback on each student s integrative project will not be possible. The criteria for grading these projects will be limited to quality of work within the specific genre and how well the communicates or illustrates the narrative of Christian theology. The doctrinal synthesis project is due by 11 May. For 3-hour students only 2. Personal Relevance Paper: Each student will also write an 8-10 page paper answering this question: What relevance does eschatology have for your life and ministry in a postmodern world? Please note: postmodern is not being used here in a technical sense but as a description of the contemporary world. This is not a research paper or an exercise in academic theorizing. It is to be a personal application of the course material to your life and ministry. Any response that argues against the relevance of eschatology for life and ministry will not receive credit. The personal relevance paper is due by 4 May.

5 ST106HO, Eschatology 5 C. Quizzes and/or Exams For 2- and 3-hour students There will be an objective final exam given during finals week. The exam will cover the major topics of the course. The final will be available via Canvas from 5 May through 11 May. V. COURSE POLICIES Weight Given to Course Requirements for Grading The overall course grade is a composite of several factors. It is not a measure of personal worth or necessarily of the amount of information that a student feels that he or she has learned. Rather, it is a cumulative figure that bears a relationship to the student s successful completion of the course requirements. This figure is determined in the following manner: For 3-hour students Reading 40% Relevance Paper 20% Doctrinal Synthesis 30% Final Exam 10% 100% For 2-hour students Reading 40% Relevance Paper N/A Doctrinal Synthesis 40% Final Exam 20% 100% It is expected that all students will submit accurate reports regarding their work and that all written assignments will be original to the student. Work that has been done for other classes may not be used to earn credit in this class unless it undergoes such substantial revision that it becomes essentially a new product. D. Class Participation Students are encouraged to participate in class discussions and to support their classmates in theological conversation that properly reflects our Christian faith. Theology is best done in community. The professor assumes that all students share in this conviction and desire to build up one another in love. E. Late Assignments Late assignments are generally not accepted. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the professor in extreme circumstances. Such exceptions will usually include a significant grade reduction of up to a letter grade per day late. F. Absences There are no excused absences except in the case of extenuating circumstances (see definition in DTS Student Handbook, pp ). Attendance at each class session is expected. Each class session absence beyond the two allowed in the Student Handbook will result in a reduction of one grade increment (i.e., A. A-). Students arriving late or leaving early should note that three such occurrences equals one absence. Attendance should be reported via Canvas (online.dts.edu) by 6 May. Please report the number of absences. G. Letter/Numerical Grade Scale B C D F 0-69 A B C D A B C D

6 ST106HO, Eschatology 6 VI. COURSE SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION 1. The selection of textbooks should not be interpreted as implying the professor s endorsement of any of the views of the authors. Textbooks are selected for their perceived value in helping to meet the course goals and objectives. 2. The professor is indebted to Dr. Glenn Kreider and Dr. Michael J. Svigel for some of the course material. Course lecture notes (Powerpoint slides) will be made available on Canvas. 3. The purpose of the Department of Theological Studies is to equip godly servant-leaders for worldwide ministry by: passing onto students an understanding of the church s one true faith embraced within a distinctively dispensational, premillennial evangelicalism; encouraging students to think theologically as a response to Scripture with a sensitivity to the history of theology, philosophy, and culture; [and] helping students gain perspectives essential to spiritual formation, global servantleadership, and the evaluation of contemporary issues and trends. (Catalog). 4. Students may not tape class sessions without permission of the professor. If a student desires to tape record a class session, written permission must be obtained in advance of the taping. Please submit a written request explaining the purpose of taping and the extent of use of the tapes. Under no conditions may tapes be duplicated, given, or lent to anyone not registered for this class. No transcriptions of class lectures or discussions are allowed. 5. Please turn off cell phones and paging devices during class sessions. 6. Work that has been done for other classes may not be used to earn credit in this class. Submission of work for this class is presumed to include an affirmation that it is the student s own work and has not previously been submitted in another course. Plagiarism is defined as passing off as one s own ideas, writings, etc., of another. Plagiarism is academically dishonest and is contrary to biblical standards. Any course work involving dishonest academic practices will be graded as zero without any resubmission permitted. In each case, the Dean of Students Office will be notified (Student Handbook). Any questions about what constitutes plagiarism should be referred to the professor or the Dean of Students. 7. Due dates for graduating students (or those participating in commencement ceremonies) may be different than those listed in the syllabus. For these dates consult the deadlines in the information provided to graduation participants from the Registrar s Office. Students who do not submit work by those deadlines jeopardize their graduation. 8. Students are responsible for any additions or corrections made to this syllabus at the discretion of the professor and announced in class. 9. DTS does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the operation of any of its programs and activities. To avoid discrimination the student is responsible for informing the Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities and the course instructor of any disabling condition that will require modifications.

7 ST106HO, Eschatology 7 VII. COURSE LECTURE SCHEDULE Week Date Topic 1 1/15 NO CLASS MLK DAY 2 1/22 Introduction to the Course 3 1/29 Eschatology in Christian Theology 4 2/5 Eschatology and Hope 5 2/12 A History of Eschatology 6 2/19 Dispensations and Covenants 7 2/26 Adam to Abraham 8 3/5 Abraham to the New Covenant 9 3/12 NO CLASS SPRING BREAK 10 3/19 Introduction to Future Things The Return of Christ 11 3/26 The Millennium 12 4/2 The Tribulation 13 4/9 NO CLASS 14 4/16 The Rapture 15 4/23 The Rapture 16 4/30 Personal Eschatology Resurrection and Glorification 5/7-11 FINALS WEEK