POLITICAL THEOLOGY. Reformed Theological Seminary Washington, D.C. Summer Mark I. McDowell

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1 POLITICAL THEOLOGY Reformed Theological Seminary Washington, D.C. Summer 2018 Mark I. McDowell I. Details a. Dates: July 5 th - 7 th b. Times: Thursday-Saturday; 8:30am-5:30pm c. Instructor: Dr. Mark I. McDowell d. Contact: mmcdowell@rts.edu II. Textbooks Vincent Bacote, The Political Disciple (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2015) Mark Lilla, The Stillborn God (New York: Random House) Joan & Oliver O Donovan (eds.), From Irenaeus to Grotius: Sourcebook in Christian Political Thought (Eerdmans, 1999) James K.A. Smith, Awaiting the King: Reforming Public Theology (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2017) Class Packet (Made Available on Canvas) III. Course Summary & Objectives a. The reason for this course is summed up by Oliver O Donovan: Theology must be political if it is to be evangelical. Rule out the political questions and you cut short the proclamation of God's saving power. 1 This course seeks to help our theology in the public square by attempting to discern a more biblically faithful understanding of the political 1 O Donovan, Desire of the Nations, p. 3 1

2 b. The aim of this course is to serve as an introduction to the discipline of political theology, an area of study that reflects broadly upon the nature of how humans relate to God. The political is understood as the use of structural power to organize a society or community of people Political theology is, then, the analysis and criticism of political arrangements from the perspective of differing interpretations of God s ways with the world 2 c. To orient and familiarize the student to the theological categories such as church, state, politics ancient and modern and how such categories inform and shape different ideas of how the church engages the world d. The goal of the class is twofold: i. To prepare those entering ministry a biblical and theological model for constructive, informed and wise participation in their local communities ii. To offer a theological account of the church s role in society and the beliefs and ideas that contribute to this vision IV. Course Requirements a. Class Participation: includes attendance of all classes and active participation and contribution in class discussion b. Readings: Readings should be completed before they are considered in class. All readings not listed in the required reading section will be found on reserve. A reading report, detailing the percentage of work read will be included in the final exam c. Midterm (TBD) and Final Exam (TBD): Exams will test understanding and comprehension of material covered in class, readings, and the ability to articulate and communicate theological material in a clear way d. Theological Research Paper: Students will write a page paper (typed, doublespaced, 12 pt font). The paper must treat a doctrinal topic related to the content of the class, that is, broadly, Christology, Soteriology or Eschatology. To make the essay more specific in nature, please consult your instructor to discuss this, ideally no later than Thanksgiving. Standard SBL format ought to be followed. Footnotes to be used (not endnotes) V. Grading a. Reading Report 10% 2 Cavanaugh and Scott, Blackwell Companion to Political Theology, p. 2 2

3 b. Midterm exam 20% c. Final exam 20% d. Theological Research Paper 50% VI. Schedule of Assignments July 5 th - Eric Gregory, Politics in The Oxford Handbook to Evangelical Theology, ed. Gerald McDermott (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013), pp Mark Lilla, The Stillborn God (New York: Random House), pp Epistle to Diognetus - Augustine, City of God: 14.28, ; 19.1, 5-17, O Donovan, From Irenaeus to Grotius, pp ; ; ; O Donovan, The Desire of the Nations, pp Smith, Awaiting the King (ALL) July 6 th - Calvin, Institutes IV.XX - Martin Luther, Temporal Authority: To What Extent It Should Be Obeyed in Luther s Works, vol. 45 (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1962) - Cornelius Venema, The Restoration of All Things to Proper Order: An Assessment of the Two Kingdoms/Natural Law Interpretation of Calvin s Public Theology in Kingdoms Apart: Engaging Two Kingdoms Perspective (Phillipsburg: P&R, 2012), pp Nicholas Wolterstorff, The Wounds of God: Calvin s Theology of Social Justice in Hearing the Call: Liturgy, Justice, Church and World (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2011), pp July 7 th - John Bowlin, Some Thoughts on Doing Theology in Public in Princeton Seminary Bulletin 28 (2007), pp Bacote, The Political Disciple (ALL) - Cavanaugh, Killing for the Telephone Company : Why the Nation-State is Not the Keeper of the Common Good in Migrations of the Holy (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2012), pp Hauerwas, The Church and Liberal Democracy: The Moral Limits of a Secular Polity in A Community of Character (Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame, 2005), pp

4 - O Donovan, Government as Judgement in Bonds of Imperfection (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2004), pp David Yeago, Messiah s People: The Culture of the Church in the Midst of the Nations, Pro Ecclesia 6, no.1 (1997), pp

5 Course Objectives Related to MDiv Student Learning Outcomes With Mini-Justification Course: ST 630 Professor: Dr. Mark I. McDowell Campus: DC Date: Summer 2018 Articulation (oral & written) Scripture Reformed Theology Sanctification MDiv Student Learning Outcomes Broadly understands and articulates knowledge, both oral and written, of essential biblical, theological, historical, and cultural/global information, including details, concepts, and frameworks. Significant knowledge of the original meaning of Scripture. Also, the concepts for and skill to research further into the original meaning of Scripture and to apply Scripture to a variety of modern circumstances. (Includes appropriate use of original languages and hermeneutics; and integrates theological, historical, and cultural/global perspectives.) Significant knowledge of Reformed theology and practice, with emphasis on the Westminster Standards. Demonstrates the necessity of living a sanctified in public Rubric Moderate Minimal None Moderate Mini-Justification Exams, theological research paper, reading Each theological locus finds its explanation, elaboration and authority in the canonical teaching of Holy Scripture Students are guided in this theology course by the Reformed Theology as it is articulated in the Westminster Standards Emphasized in class, readings and enabled through research for paper Desire for Worldview Winsomely Reformed/ Evangelistic Preach Burning desire to conform all of life to the Word of God. Embraces a winsomely Reformed ethos. (Includes an appropriate ecumenical spirit with other Christians, especially Evangelicals; a concern to present the Gospel in a God-honoring manner to non-christians; and a truth-in-love attitude in disagreements.) Ability to preach and teach the meaning of Scripture to both heart and mind with clarity and enthusiasm. Minimal This course enables students to see the coherence these doctrines bring to the understanding of reality Approaches theological loci of other traditions in a warm, courteous, respectful and appreciative manner Worship Knowledgeable of historic and modern Christianworship forms; and ability to construct and skill to lead a worship service. Minimal Shepherd Church/Worl d Ability to shepherd the local congregation: aiding in spiritual maturity; promoting use of gifts and callings; and encouraging a concern for non-christians, both in America and worldwide. Ability to interact within a denominational context, within the broader worldwide church, and with significant public issues. Moderate Seeing God as the Great Shepherd of His people and the ways He Shepherds in shapes our pastoral imagination and practical engagement with others Broad understanding of cultural issues are informed by a specifically defined theological framework 5

ST517 Systematic Theology Christology, Soteriology, Eschatology

ST517 Systematic Theology Christology, Soteriology, Eschatology Reformed Theological Seminary Dallas, Fall 2017 I. Details a. Times: Thursdays, 1pm 4pm b. Instructor: Dr. Mark I. McDowell c. Contact: mmcdowell@rts.edu