Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson Christian Life in a Secular Culture 01PT514/01 Fall Semester, 2012 Tuesday, 9:00-10:00 AM I. Instructor Reddit Andrews, III Email: randrews@rts.edu Phone: (601) 923-1679; Cell: (916) 479-3107 II. Course description This course explores specific implications and challenges related to Christian living in the context of radical secularization. Specific attention will be given to the challenge of consumerism, materialism, politics, technology and urbanization. It will also discuss the challenge radical shifts in traditional understanding of family, gender, personal relationships and sexuality pose to faithful Christian living. III. Required Texts Redeeming Sociology: A God-Centered Approach by Vern Sheridan Poythress (Crossway Books, 2011) Culture Making by Andy Crouch (InterVarsity Press, 2008) Recommended Texts Augustine, Aurelius. The City of God. (Hendrickson Publishers, Reprinted 2009) Bacote, Vincent, The Spirit in Public Theology: Appropriating the Legacy of Abraham Kuyper, (Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2010) Berger, Peter L., The Heretical Imperative: Contemporary Possibilities of Religious Affirmation. (Anchor Doubleday, 1979) - The Sacred Canopy: Elements of a Sociological Theory of Religion. (Anchor: 1969) Berkhof, Hendrik. Christ and the Powers. (Herald Press, 1962) Brown, Peter. Authority and the Sacred: Aspects of the Christianisation of the Roman World. (Cambridge University Press, 1995) Carson, D.A. Christ and Culture Revisited. (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2012) - The Gagging of God. (Zondervan, 2002) - The Intolerance of Tolerance. (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2012) Conn, Harvie M. Urban Ministry: The Kingdom, the City & the People of God. (IVP Academic, 2010) Dawn, Marva J. Unfettered Hope: A Call to Faithful Living in an Affluent Society. (Westminster John Knox Press, 2003)
Fuder, John & Castellanos, A Heart for the Community: New Models for Urban and Suburban Ministry, (Moody Press, 2009) Guiness, Os. Time for Truth: Living Free in a World of Lies, Hype, and Spin. (Baker Books, 2002) Hauerwas, Stanley. The Hauerwas Reader. (Duke University Press Books, 2001) Hayes, Richard B. The Moral Vision of the New Testament: Community, Cross, New Creation, A Contemporary Introduction to New Testament Ethics. (HarperOne, 1996) Hunter, James Davidson. To Change the World: The Irony, Tragedy, and Possibility of Christianity in the Late Modern World. (Oxford University Press, USA, 2010) Keller, Timothy. Genorous Justice: how God s Grace Makes Us Just. (Dutton Adult, 2010) Kuyper, Abraham, Abraham Kuyper: A Centennial Reader. (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1998) Mouw, Richard J., The Challenges of Cultural Discipleship: Essays in the Line of Abraham Kuyper, (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2011) Nelson, Tom. Work Maters: Connecting Sunday Worship to Monday Work. (Crossway Books, 2011) Newbegin, Leslie. The Gospel in a Pluralist Society. (SPCK, 1989) Niebuhr, H. Richard. Christ and Culture. (Harper and Row, 1951) Noll, Mark A. The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind. (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1994) Perkins, John, With Justice for All: A Strategy for Community Development. (Regal Books, third ed. 2007) Sherman, Amy L. Kingdom Calling: Vocational Stewardship for the Common Good. (IVP Books, 2011) Stevens, Paul R. The Other Six Days: Vocation, Work, and Ministry in Biblical Perspective. (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2000) Volf, Miraslav. A Public Faith: How Follows of Christ Should Serve the Common Good. (Brazoz Press, 2011) IV. Course Requirements Class Discussions. Students are expected to constructively participate in the class discussions. Reading Assignments. Students are expected to complete the assigned readings. Redeeming Sociology must be complete on or before October 9 th and Culture Making on or before December 4 th. Class Quizzes. Students will be given ten quizzes during the course. The quizzes will be taking from the assigned readings, five from each text book. Tests. There will be two examinations in this course: a Mid-Term Exam and a Final Exam. These examinations will cover the lecture material and reading assignments and count for a fifth of the total grade. Writing Assignments. Students are required to submit two page reflection papers, on each of the assigned text books. The papers must show interaction with the readings and display students learning. Attendance Policy. Students are expected to attend all classes. Two excused absences are permitted without a reduction in grade. Course Grade. Course grades will be comprised equally of five components: (1) Participation in class discussions (2) Assigned Readings (3) Class Quizzes (4) Class Exams (5) Writing assignments.
Course Lectures. 1. Aug 28- Poythress pp 1-47 2. Sep 4- Poythress pp 48-91 3. Sep 11- Poythress pp 95-142 4. Sep 18- Poythress pp 143-189 5. Sep 25- Poythress pp 190-236 6. Oct 2- Poythress pp 237-277 7. Oct 9- Reading Week (Poythress 281-330) 8. Oct 16- Midterm 9. Oct 23- Crouch pp 1-36 10. Oct 30- Crouch pp 37-64 11. Nov 6- Crouch pp 65-98 12. Nov 13- Crouch pp 101-133 13. Nov 20- Crouch pp 134-174 14. Nov 27- Crouch pp 175-201 15. Dec 4- Crouch pp 202-236 16. Dec 7- Crouch pp 237-268 17. Dec 11- Final Exam
Course Objectives Related to MDiv Student Learning Outcomes With Mini-Justification Course: Christian Life in a Secular Culture 01PT514/01 Professor: Reddit Andrews III Campus: Jackson Date: Fall 2012 MDiv Student Learning Outcomes Rubric Strong Mini-Justification Minimal None Articulation (oral & written) Scripture 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. Students will learn to articulate theological and social implications of radical secularism and express concepts in written form. Students will explore specific scriptural terms and concepts and wrestle with its contemporary expressions. Reformed Theology Students will integrate doctrinal convictions with cultural realities and develop ability to think theologically about a wide variety of cultural issues. Sanctification Demonstrates a love for the Triune God that aids the Students will develop an emotional student s sanctification. appreciation for the challenges of secularization along with a desire to promote God s agenda within the unique context it presents. Desire for Burning desire to conform all of life to the Word of Strong Students will better understand the Worldview God. relationship biblical truth maintains to secular culture and its institutions and customs. Winsomely Embraces a winsomely Reformed ethos. (Includes an Students will develop greater Reformed/ appropriate ecumenical spirit with other Christians, empathy for how secularization especially Evangelicals; a concern to present the Evangelistic Gospel in a God-honoring manner to non-christians; impacts the lives of those who live and a truth-in-love attitude in disagreements.) under its influence and thus minister with greater compassion Preach Ability to preach and teach the meaning of Scripture Students will increase capacity to to both heart and mind with clarity and enthusiasm. understand and communicate to the modern mind. Worship Knowledgeable of historic and modern Christian- Minimal Students will learn to craft worship
Shepherd worship forms; and ability to construct and skill to lead a worship service. 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. Church/World Ability to interact within a denominational context, within the broader worldwide church, and with significant public issues. Strong services that are inviting and have the explanatory component responsive to secular realities without compromising traditional theological commitments. Students will improve their ability to identify with the challenges confronting congregants. Students will learn to understand and thus minister in the context of radical secularization.