J. Todd Billings, Sacraments in Allen and Swain eds., Christian Dogmatics: Reformed Theology for the Church Catholic; ISBN:

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1 One with Christ: The Sacraments and the Christian Life DM850 Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando Dr. Howard Griffith, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology January 23-27, 2017 The riches of Christ are our life. Of the Lord s Supper, Calvin wrote, All, like hungry men, should flock to such a bounteous repast. Yet, too often, division in the Church weakens the ministry of Christ s ordinances. Returning to Reformation theology, through lecture and student presentations, we will study both the administration and the delight of the Sacraments. The professor s tradition is Presbyterian, but students will be free to develop projects within their own tradition. Class Meetings January 23-27, 2017 Monday to Thursday, 9AM-5PM Friday, 9AM-12PM Required Reading J. Todd Billings, Sacraments in Allen and Swain eds., Christian Dogmatics: Reformed Theology for the Church Catholic; ISBN: Henri A. G. Blocher, Calvin on the Lord s Supper: Revisiting an Intriguing Diversity, Parts 1 and 2 (on the course homepage). Catechism of the Catholic Church, With Modifications from the Editio Typica; ISBN: , selections from pages (your choice). Howard Griffith, Spreading the Feast, Instruction and Meditations for Ministry at the Lord s Table; ISBN: Hughes O. Old, The Shaping of the Reformed Baptismal Rite in the Sixteenth Century; ISBN: Scott R. Swain, Lutheran and Reformed Sacramental Theology: Seventeenth Nineteenth Centuries in Boersma and Levering, eds. The Oxford Handbook of Sacramental Theology (on the course homepage). Cornelis P. Venema, Children at The Lord s Table? ISBN: David F. Wright, ed., Baptism, Three Views; ISBN Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapters

2 Plus, another 1000 pages from the following: *Michael Allen, Sacraments in the Reformed and Anglican Reformation in H. Boersma, ed., The Oxford Handbook of Sacramental Theology. Gregg Allison, Roman Catholic Theology and Practice, an Evangelical Assessment Gregg Allison, Sojourners and Strangers, the Doctrine of the Church John M. Barkley, Worship of the Reformed Church Herman Bavinck, The Sacrifice of Praise G.R. Beasley-Murray, Baptism in the New Testament *G.C. Berkouwer, The Sacraments *Robert Bruce, The Mystery of the Lord s Supper *John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 4, Chapters *John Calvin, Short Treatise on the Holy Supper of Our Lord Jesus Christ (on the course homepage). William Cunningham, Historical Theology, 2 Volumes. William Cunningham, The Reformers and the Theology of the Reformation Jonathan Edwards, A Humble Inquiry in David D. Hall, ed., The Works of Jonathan Edwards, Vol. 12, Ecclesiastical Writings. New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press Brian Gerrish, Grace and Gratitude, The Eucharistic Theology of John Calvin *Richard B. Gaffin, Jr., By Faith, Not By Sight: Paul and the Order of Salvation, Second Edition. Howard Griffith, Halfway Covenant (on the course homepage). E. Brooks Holifield, The Covenant Sealed: The Development of Sacramental Theology in Old and New England, New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, Meredith G. Kline, By Oath Consigned: A Reinterpretation of the Covenant Signs of Circumcision and Baptism (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1968). *Martin Luther, The Babylonian Captivity of the Church Pierre Marcel, Baptism, Sacrament of the Covenant of Grace *Hughes Old, Communion in the Piety of the Reformed Church 2

3 Poythress, Vern S. "Indifferentism and Rigorism in the Church: With Implications for Baptizing Small Children," Westminster Theological Journal 59 (1997), Louis B. Schenck, The Presbyterian Doctrine of Children in the Covenant Herman Selderhuis, ed., The Calvin Handbook *Chad B. VanDixhoorn, Confessing the Faith, a Reader s Guide to the Westminster Confession of Faith *Ulrich Zwingli, On the Implementation of the Lord s Supper, ed. and trans., Jim West (on the course homepage) Ulrich Zwingli, On the Lord s Supper in G.W. Bromily, ed., Zwingli and Bullinger (Library of Christian Classics) * noteworthy Class Schedule Lunch each day from noon to 1PM. Monday Morning: Baptism as a covenant sign, seal of union with Christ, subjects, etc. Tuesday Morning: The administration of baptism and ministry in worship Wednesday Morning: The Lord s Supper: nourishment at God s Table Thursday Morning: The administration of the Supper Friday Morning: Wrap up Assignments 1. Students will complete 2,000 pages of assigned reading and submit a reading report to the professor (20% of final grade). Attach this to the final paper. 3

4 2. Students will make two class presentations, one on baptism, the other on the Supper. Each presentation will be minutes long, with extra time for questions and discussion. The subject may be doctrinal or practical, its goal the up-building of your congregation. It may be a series of lessons on the sacraments, or a proposal of some sort of practical ministry in your church (e.g., regarding the circumstances of the administration of the sacrament in worship, or the sacramental culture of the church, like hearing professions of faith, visiting in homes, etc.) Please include a bibliography (40% of final grade). 3. Students will submit a final paper, which builds on one class presentation (20-30 pages). This may be academic research (following the usual conventions in Turabian, including a bibliography; cf. Scott Swain s Research Paper Guidelines on the course homepage). In any event, it should have strong doctrinal content and be designed to enhance the worship of Jesus Christ (40% of final grade). The paper is due April 30, Please it to jsisler@rts.edu. Course Objectives Related to DMin* Student Learning Outcomes Course: Sacraments and the Christian Life Professor: Howard Griffith Campus: Orlando Date: January 23-27, 2017 DMin* Student Learning Outcomes In order to measure the success of the DMin curriculum, RTS has defined the following as the intended outcomes of the student learning process. Each course contributes to these overall outcomes. This rubric shows the contribution of this course to the DMin outcomes. Rubric Moderate Minimal None Mini-Justification Biblical/ Theological Foundations: Significant knowledge of biblical and theological foundations for pastoral ministry. (This includes interaction with Biblical texts, as well as awareness of Reformed Theology.) Discussion of dogmatic texts. Historical/ Contemporary Practices: Significant knowledge of historical and contemporary practices of pastoral ministry. Discussion of historic and modern practices. Integration: Ability to reflect upon and integrate theology and practice, as well as implementation in a Projects hone the practical skills of students. 4

5 contemporary pastoral setting. Sanctification: Demonstrates a love for the Triune God that aids in the student s sanctification. Moderate Union and communion with Jesus Christ is the goal of the sacraments. 5