2OT718 Mosaic Covenant RTS-O Fall 2017 J. Nicholas Reid, D.Phil. Class meets Mondays, 3pm-5pm. Please note the special session on 10 November, Friday 10-12. Invited Lecture by Dr. Chad Van Dixhoorn. COURSE DESCRIPTION This course investigates the Mosaic Covenant in historical, theological, and exegetical perspectives. Grading Schedule. The letter grading scale for this course is institutional catalogue and is summarized below. A (97-100) 4.00 A- (94-96) 3.66 B+ (91-93) 3.33 B (88-90) 3.00 B- (86-87) 2.66 C+ (83-85) 2.33 C (80-82) 2.00 C- (78-79) 1.66 D+ (75-77) 1.33 D (72-74) 1.00 D- (70-71) 0.66 F (below 70) 0.00 I (incomplete) W (withdraw) S (satisfactory) P (passing) 1. Attendance and Late Assignments. Attendance and prepared participation is required. If class is not attended, the student s final grade will be affected. Late assignments are reduced one letter grade per day. 1
2. Special Needs. In order to ensure full class participation, any student with a disabling condition requiring special accommodations (e.g. tape recorders, special adaptive equipment) is strongly encouraged to contact the instructor at the beginning of the course. 3. Disclaimer. This syllabus is intended to reflect accurately the learning objectives, instructional format and other information necessary for students to appraise the course. However, the instructor reserves the right to modify any portion of this syllabus as may become necessary. 4. No portion of the lecture may be placed on social media or recorded without prior permission from the instructor. COURSE REQUIREMENTS Required Reading: Bolton, Samuel. The True Bonds of Christian Freedom. Kline, Meredith. Treaty of the Great King: The Covenant Structure of Deuteronomy (Studies and Commentary). Kline, Meredith. Covenant Theology Under Attack. Kline, Meredith. The Intrusion and the Decalogue. Kline, Meredith. Gospel Until the Law, Romans 5:13-14. Murray, John. The Covenant of Grace. OPC Study Committee on Republication http://www.opc.org/ga/republication.html Weinfeld, Moshe. The Covenant of Grant in the Old Testament and in the Ancient near East. Journal of the American Oriental Society, Vol. 90, No. 2 (Apr. - Jun., 1970), pp. 184-203. Selected Readings from the Following: Heppe, Heinrich. Reformed Dogmatics. Pages 281-319, 371-409. Estelle, Bryan D., J. V. Fesko, David Van Drunen. The Law is Not of Faith (LINF), Chs. 4, 7, 8. Horton, Michael. Kingdom of God in Christian Dogmatics: Reformed Theology for the Church Catholic pages 363-391. Kline, Meredith. Kingdom Prologue: Genesis Foundations for a Covenantal Worldview. 2
Owen, John. Hebrews Commentary (chapter 8). Turretin, Francis. Institutes of Elenctic Theology, Twelfth Topic: Questions 1-9, 12 Wellum, Baptism and the Relationship of the Covenants. Pages 97-162 in Believer s Baptism: Sign of the New Covenant in Christ. Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms. Witsius, Herman. Economy of the Covenants Between God and Man (Two Vol). Book 3.3; 4.1; 4.4; 4.13-15 Important Dates August 30 Classes Begin September 4 Labor Day holiday September 13 Last day to add a class October 4 Last day to drop a class October 16-20 Reading Week November 22-24 Thanksgiving holidays December 11 Last day of fall semester classes December 13 Term paper deadline (11:00 a.m.) December 14-19 Examination period (Dec. 14, 15, 18 & 19) Class Prepared Readings and Notebook Due Before the Class Begins 11 September Calvin, Institutes, Book 2 Chs. 10-11 18 September Bolton 25 September Heppe (Pages 281-319, 371-409), Witsius Book 3.3; 4.1; 4.4; 4.13-15 2 October WCF; Turretin, Twelfth Topic: Questions 1-9, 12 3
9 October Special Lecture by Dr. John Tweeddale Owen, Hebrews Commentary on Chapter 8 23 October Kline, Treaty of the Great King Kline Prologue, 230-241 Weinfeld 30 October John Murray, Covenant of Grace ; Kline, Intrusion, Covenant Theology Under Attack, 6 November Kline, Gospel before Law, Prologue, 292-355. 10 November OPC Study Report Republication Friday 10-12 Special Lecture by Dr. Chad Van Dixhoorn 27 November LISNF, Chs 4, 7, 8 4 December Horton, Kingdom of God 11 December Wellum, Baptism and the Relationship of the Covenants Evaluation: Reading and Notebook: 35% Class Participation: 35% Final Paper: 30% Total Percentage 100% Course Requirements: Reading and Notebook: This course is reading intensive, so the course is weighted accordingly. Each student must do all the reading and keep a notebook of notes and basic reflections. Class Participation: The reading notebooks will be brought to class to help the student engage in the discussion. Final Paper: The student will write an 8 page paper on the Mosaic Covenant. The student will choose a position and seek to support it exegetically, historically, and theologically. 4
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Course Objectives Related to MDiv Student Learning Outcomes With Mini- Justification Course: Mosaic Covenant (2OT718) Professor: Dr. J. Nicholas Reid Fall 2017 Campus: RTS Orlando MDiv Student Learning Outcomes Articulation (oral & written) Scripture Reformed Theology Rubric Strong Moderate Minimal None Broadly understands and articulates knowledge, both oral and written, of essential biblical, theological, historical, and Strong 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. Moderate Strong Mini-Justification Students will read significant texts, engage with them on their own, and then bring what they learn to class to discuss with other students in an articulate manner. Students will focus on the Mosaic Covenant s relationship to the rest of Scripture and its impact on both Old and New Testament. Students will read the breadth of Reformed thinking on covenant theology and the place 6
Sanctification Desire for Worldview Winsomely Reformed/ Evangelistic Preach Worship Shepherd Demonstrates a love for the Triune God that aids the student s sanctification. 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 Strong present the Gospel in a Godhonoring 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. Knowledgeable of historic and modern Christian- worship forms; and ability to construct Minimal and skill to lead a worship service. Ability to shepherd the local congregation: aiding in spiritual maturity; promoting use of gifts Minimal and callings; and encouraging a concern for non-christians, both in America and worldwide. of the Mosaic Covenant. Students will learn about the intermural and ecumenical disputes between various Minimal believers over the Mosaic Covenant and how to engage in the discussion in an irenic spirit. Students will see how the Mosaic Covenant applies to Minimal understanding our daily living and how other believers view its import. Students will be challenged to contemplate their own view of the Mosaic Covenant and covenant theology while relating it to how the church more broadly understands these issues. Students will be given tools to aid them in accurately exegeting Moderate and preaching Scripture in light of the Mosaic Covenant s import. Students will learn how their view of the Mosaic Covenant s continuity and discontinuity affects worship. Students will be more aware of the various views circulating in the pulpits and pews on the Mosaic Covenant. 7
Church/World Ability to interact within a denominational context, within the broader worldwide church, and with significant public issues. Moderate Students will see how various views on the continuity of the Mosaic Covenant impacts various denominations understanding of the church and the work of Christ. 8