CHTH 511 CHRISTIAN HISTORY AND THEOLOGY I

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CHTH 511 CHRISTIAN HISTORY AND THEOLOGY I (3 credits) Instructor: Randy Woodley 2015 Fall 2015 Semester, OLC MAIS Email: rwoodley@georgefox.

It examines the expansion of the church; the evolution of Christian institutions and their practices; the conflicts that confronted the church from within and without; and the theological development

1 CHTH 511 CHRISTIAN HISTORY AND THEOLOGY I (3 credits) Instructor: Randy Woodley 2015 Fall 2015 Semester, OLC MAIS rwoodley@georgefox.edu Cell: Office: COURSE DESCRIPTION This course covers the development of Christianity and Christian Theology from the end of the apostolic period to the 16 th century. It examines the expansion of the church; the evolution of Christian institutions and their practices; the conflicts that confronted the church from within and without; and the theological development of doctrines such as the Trinity, Christology, the Holy Spirit, Grace and Free Will, Soteriology, and the Church. COURSE DESIGN This course is designed to create time and reflective space for the contributive learners preparing for ministerial leadership, spiritual direction and scholarship. The subject matter is chosen to enable contributive learners to get a broad view of historic Christianity. Contributive learners are expected to bring a level of diligence of preparation and investment to this course commensurate with their other academic courses. The course pays especial attention to those groups and individuals who were deemed heretical by the Church of the Roman Empire or who lost power because of their frontier status but have important thought and information to contribute to the church of today. The course follows a commitment of George Fox Seminary to pursue diverse program offerings taught from other ethnic perspectives by providing opportunities for students to dialogue about issues of diversity. (See George Fox University docs. Blueprint for Diversity and Theology of Racial and Ethnic Diversity. From the GFU website on Diversity: The mission of the University is the following: George Fox University, a Christ- centered community, prepares students spiritually, academically, and professionally to think with clarity, act with integrity, and serve with passion. In addition, one of the institution s core values speaks directly to reflecting the diversity of God s people: All people are created in God s image. Therefore, George Fox University represents the ethnic, socio- economic, cultural, and gender diversity of the broader Kingdom of God. We provide opportunities for students to dialogue about issues of diversity and to live and study in diverse communities.

2 COURSE RATIONALE The history of the early church forms the basis for the developments of ecclesial thought and practice from the first centuries up to the present day. This course will introduce contributive learners to the people, events, and discourses that shaped the important theological commitments of the church and the socio- historic- politico climates in which they were made manifest. By examining the processes through which the dominant church came to formulate theological thought and practice in the backdrop of the Roman Empire, contributive learners will come to understand their own traditions doctrinal commitments. A greater appreciation of the church s earliest history will inform contributive learners on how to understand these traditions and thoughtfully examine the place of the church in our society. OUTCOMES To trace the development of the institutional Church and the role of key individuals and movements, both orthodox and heretical, Western and non- Western, sources and movements. To outline particular theological discussions in a multi- denominational and international context. To relate to historical events and developments in the church to contemporary events and developments. To help students explore the process of preparing and writing a research paper. To make students more aware of resources and opportunities on the internet. TEACHING STRATEGIES Course lectures and discussions on key ideas and concepts via course sessions, PowerPoint and group discussions Group postings and discussion of topics and assignments online Course participation in Indigenous American spiritual exercises and activities Performance of spiritual exercises or activities assigned for outside of course Video presentations Quick feedback loops Periodic ritual to bring us back to the reality that we are spiritual- physical beings Narrative Organic, Impromptu discussions Recognition of the dialogue as a sacred space that is unique, never to be repeated again. An emphasis on Decolonization and Indigenization for all people Humor and jibbing which I hope goes both ways Utilizing space in creative ways as a teaching tool Colorful language to drive a point Playing the devil s advocate to provoke critical thinking

3 I fully believe that the primary agent of learning is the learner, not the teacher. As contributive learners, you may participate fully and be ready to engage during each session. I also fully believe that God is present among us at all times, meaning all our activities are sacred. As your professor I will bring my expertise (experience, knowledge and wisdom) to each session, laying out a framework, if you will, for you to build upon through your engagement with the subjects presented. Your feedback throughout the course is sought by me and appreciated. I solicit your suggestions, via or in person, in order to create the best learning environment and the most enjoyable experience possible for us all. REQUIRED TEXTS Gonzalez, Justo L. The Story of Christianity: Volume 1, The: The Early Church to the Dawn of the Reformation, HarperOne, Current Edition. Jenkins, John Philip. The Lost History of Christianity: The Thousand- Year Golden Age of the Church in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia- - and How It Died, HarperOne, Current Edition. Mohawk, John. Utopian Legacies: A History of Conquest & Oppression in the Western World, Clear Light Books, Current Edition. Sanneh, Lamin O. Whose Religion Is Christianity? The Gospel Beyond the West, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Current Edition. REQUIRED ONLINE TRAINING Co- learners must have opened an account and oriented themselves to Voicethread at Voicethread will be the primary communication tool for online dialogue. ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE Weekly Assignments The Routine is always the same unless otherwise noted. Please make your posts in a timely manner so we can all benefit from your involvement. People who do not engage during the Wednesday- Friday dialogue will be considered absent for the week 1. (Saturday- Tuesday) Over the weekend begin reading and/or viewing the required assignments. 2. (By Tuesday 9PM PST): Post a 1-2 paragraph (maximum) summary of the readings and a Creative, Complex Question* for consideration in the Group Discussion. ("Readings" always implies any texts, videos, uploaded documents or other materials assigned during the week so your question can reflect the text readings or it may include any of the resources used that week i.e., PowerPoint, video, lecture). Use the following format to title the post <<Last Name>> <<Week>> Summary and Question (i.e. Woodley Wk 1 Summary and Question).

4 3. (Wednesday Friday Midnight PST): The professor will post an introductory question on Tuesday evening to get the dialogue started. You may respond to the question briefly and then post your own questions or respond to other questions as the dialogue flows. Participate with your posts in the entire Group Discussion with faculty to synthesize learning for the week by making four substantive postings in which you respond to or introduce a substantive question or contribute to transforming thought on an issue being discussed. Please keep the discussion of the topic in the one thread in which the first question is introduced by the professor. YOU MUST MAKE YOUR FIRST POST PRIOR TO FRIDAY! Do not wait until the last minute to try to have a discussion. By then, most of the conversation is waning and it is unfair to your co- learners to have to wait on you. 4. (By Friday Midnight) Submit a 1 paragraph Final Critical Reflection at the close of the discussion on Friday in a separate Final Critical Reflection thread. This paragraph should be integrative, summarizing what you have learned over the past week and what questions, if any, you still have. Use the following format for the Subject Title of your own thread:<<last Name>> <<Week>> Final Critical Reflection (i.e. Woodley Wk 1 Final Critical Reflection). Final Research Paper A 10 page, double- spaced, research paper is due 1 week prior to the last day of class. You should choose a person, movement, doctrine or event in history that occurred between AD that has affected the church in a major way (either positively or negatively). You may work with another co- learner on the project and both your names should be attached to the final paper. Both people are required to do research but all other tasks may be divided between you. Topics must be approved in writing by the professor. The paper should be of satisfactory quality of a Master s degree level meaning correct grammar, spelling and punctuation as well as the use of footnotes. Sources should include primary, if available, and scholarly journals, books and articles. Wikipedia is allowable as a secondary source. A research paper (sometimes called a term paper), is the most academic and formal paper most co- learners will write. It requires research, usually from 10 or more sources and a combination of books, articles, and other resources. It will also have an introduction/body/conclusion and extensive documentation of research sources. Normally it is written in third person. For a step- by- step introduction to writing a research paper please refer to Research Papers (by Dan Brunner and Loren Kerns).

5 ASSESSMENT Assessment will be based on the following: The accurateness of each student s contribution in posting their weekly Summary of the readings and the quality (thoughtfulness, critical concern, scope) of their Critical, Complex Question. (30% of grade) The quality of each student s response to their colleagues in the Wednesday- Friday Group Discussion. (40% of grade) A 1 paragraph personal Final Critical Reflection at the close of the discussion on Friday. (10% of grade) Final Research Paper (20% of grade) COURSE PROGRESSION AND ASSIGNMENTS Week 1: (Sept Partial Week) Read through all Introductions and Prefaces in your texts. No written assignments due. Sign up for a Voicethread account and recieve any introductory training available at Week 2: (Sept.12-18) Christianity Defines Its Own Nature (Beginnings- 313) The Acts of the Apostles (Read the Book of Acts in the Bible) Week 3: (Sept.19-25) Mission, Theology and Culture (Beginnings- 313) Mohawk, Chapters 1-3 Gonzalez, Chapters 1-12 Week 4: (Sept. 26- Oct. 2) Christian Empire ( ) Mohawk, Chapter 4 Gonzalez, Chapters Week 5: (Oct. 3-9) Middle Ages ( ) Mohawk, Chapter 5 Gonzalez, Chapters Week 6: (Oct ) Watch the movie The Last Crusade Catch up on reading Week 7: (Oct.17-23) The Lost History of Christianity Jenkins Chapters 1-4 Week 8: (Oct ) The Lost History of Christianity

6 Jenkins Chapters 5-9 Week 9: (Oct. 31- Nov.6) Rise of Protestantism ( ) Mohawk, Chapters 6-8 Gonzalez, Chapters Week 10: (Nov. 7-13) Colonial Christianity ( ) Mohawk, Chapters 9-10 Gonzalez, Chapters Week 11: (Nov ) Watch the movie The Mission Week 12: (Nov.21-25) Whose Religion is Christianity? SHORTENED WEEK FOR THANKSGIVING- Initial summary and question due only- No group dialogue or final statement is due this week) Sanneh 1-71 Week 13: (Nov. 28- Dec. 4) Whose Religion is Christianity? Sanneh Upload Final Research Paper by Friday Midnight Option: Instead of a scholarly paper you may choose to do your research and present your findings orally in a 5-8 minute Voicethread. The oral report must show scholarly research, mentioning sources, and it must be concise, cogent and within the time limits set. Share the presentations by Tuesday evening on Week 14 so others can ask questions. Week 14: (Dec. 5-11) Research Papers Due Post your summary and questions in the Group Discussion. Summary should be a reflection of the most important things you learned in the course and why. Question should be related to something you are still wondering about after taking this course. These summaries and Questions will be discussed W- F. Your Group Discussion this week will be interactive discussing your learnings and questions and those of your co- learners. Interact with every co- learner. NB: Changes on course site take precedence over syllabus

7 Absence Policy Full participation in course discussion is essential. Scheduled course sessions and events require attendance and weekly assignments muse done on time. Contributive learners who miss assignments may make up through an extra credit reading/a 4- MAT report, which may add to the overall grade. (See list of books qualifying for extra credit and How To Do A 4- MAT Book Report. EVALUATION 0-59=F, 60-69=D, 70-76=C, 77-79=C+, 80-82=B-, 83-86=B, 87-89=B+, 90-92=A-, =A DISABILITIES If you have specific physical, psychiatric, or learning disabilities and require accommodations; please contact the Disability Services Office as early as possible so that your learning needs may be appropriately met. You will need to provide current documentation of your disability to the Disability Services Office. For more information, go to ds.georgefox.edu or contact Rick Muthiah, Dean of Learning Support Services ( or rmuthiah@georgefox.edu).

Fall Term, COURSE SYLLABUS Department: Pastoral Theology Course Title: Homiletics I Course Number: PT550 Credit Hours: 3 Thursday, 1:30-4:15pm

Fall Term, COURSE SYLLABUS Department: Pastoral Theology Course Title: Homiletics I Course Number: PT550 Credit Hours: 3 Thursday, 1:30-4:15pm Fall Term, 2018 The Rev. Dr. Rich Herbster 724-544-5572 (cell) 724-495-6362 (office) rherbster@tsm.edu COURSE SYLLABUS Department: Pastoral Theology Course Title: Homiletics I Course Number: PT550 Credit