4ST615/1: The Doctrine of Baptism Summer 2014 Dr. J. V. Fesko Westminster Seminary California 1725 Bear Valley Parkway Escondido, CA 92027 760.480.8474 (w) jvfesko@wscal.edu Course Description The doctrine of baptism elective is a full-orbed study including a historical survey of the doctrine, a biblical-theological survey, and systematic-theological formulation. The survey of the history of the doctrine begins with the apostolic church, covering key church fathers and baptismal documents, the Middle Ages covering key theologians, and a survey of the Reformation and post-reformation periods. The biblical-theological survey traces baptism from Genesis to Revelation. The systematic-theological formulation will address topics such as the sacraments in general, baptism as a means of grace, the doctrine of baptism, recipients, and baptism and ecclesiology. Class Schedule Tuesday, July 15 th Friday, July 18 th from 9.00 am - 4.30 pm Student Evaluation o Required reading (25%): you must submit the percentage of the required reading that you have accomplished on the top of your final exam. Failure to report your reading percentage will result in a zero recorded for this portion of your evaluation. You may have one extra month from the last day of class to complete your reading (i.e., prophetic reading reports are permissible you may indicate 100% if you intend on completing all of the reading within one month of the last day of class). o Class participation (25%): part of your grade will depend upon your participation in class, whether by answering questions when called upon, asking questions, or participating in discussion. A large part of your participation grade will hinge upon your engagement in the class discussions on the three different views of baptism presented in the required reading, Understanding Four Views on Baptism. Each discussion will last for one class period on the last day of class. o Three five-page response papers (50%): In lieu of an exam, students will write three five-page response papers corresponding to the Baptist (Nettles), Lutheran (Kolb), and Church of Christ (Castelein) chapters in the required reading, Understanding Four Views on Baptism. All three papers are due on the last day of class at its conclusion. Papers should offer exegetical analysis and engagement of the positions presented in the readings, not merely rehearse and repeat the views presented therein. Failure to turn in any one paper will result in an F (0) for the assignment.
Academic Policies Class academic policies are those that are outlined in the current RTS Course Catalog (grading scale, class attendance policy, conduct, and examination policies). Recording of Class Lectures You are not permitted to record class lectures. Obtaining Class Lecture Notes in event of an absence You are responsible for obtaining lecture notes in the event of your absence from a fellow student. The professor will not provide lecture notes. Failure to turn in required materials In the event that you fail to turn in required assignments, you will receive the grade of an F. For every day that an assignment is late, you will be assessed a full letter grade penalty, e.g., 1 day = 93 (B+) the highest grade you can achieve if you score a perfect paper. Extension policy All assignments and exams are to be completed by the deadlines announced in this syllabus or in class. Extensions for assignments and exams due within the normal duration of the course must be approved beforehand by the Professor. Extensions of two weeks or less beyond the date of the last deadline for the course must be approved beforehand by the Professor. A grade penalty may be assessed. Extensions of greater than two weeks but not more than six weeks beyond the last deadline for the course may be granted in extenuating circumstances (i.e. illness, family emergency). For an extension of more than two weeks the student must request an Extension Request Form from the Student Services Office. The request must be approved by the Professor and the Academic Dean. A grade penalty may be assessed (RTS Catalog p. 42 and RTS Atlanta Student Handbook p. 14). Any incompletes not cleared six weeks after the last published due date for course work will be converted to a failing grade. Professors may have the failing grade changed to a passing grade by request (RTS Catalog p. 42). How to succeed in the class o Complete all assigned readings before the lecture period in which they are assigned. o Highlight and write marginal notes in your assigned reading. o Outline the chapters in your assigned reading. o Be prepared with questions to ask that arise from your reading. o Participate in class by remaining alert, engaged, asking questions, and offering comments. o Turn in your assignments on time.
o Make flash cards for terminology that occur in your reading. o Take good lecture notes. Rubric for class participation grade A (100) B (93) C (82) D (74) F (69 0) Provided many good ideas for class consideration; inspired others; clearly communicated desires, ideas, questions, and comments. Was respectful of Participated in discussions; shared questions and comments. Was respectful of Listened mainly; occasionally asked a question or offered a comment. Was respectful of Seemed bored with discussions; rarely spoke up, and questions or comments were off topic. Was disrespectful of Failed to attend class missed more than three lecture periods total. Rubric for required reading A (100) B - D (93 74) F (0) Completed all assigned readings (textbook and PDF Reader) Determined by self-reported percentage of accomplished reading Failure to submit reading report. Rubric for papers A (97) B (93) C (82) D (74) F (69 0) Thoughtfully engaged the reading, provided analysis, and exegetical reasoning. Cited outside sources beyond required readings. Submitted full five pages. Engages the reading, provides analysis, and exegetical reasoning. Submitted full five pages. Rehearses views stated in the reading and offers minimal engagement. Submitted four out of five pages. Rehearses views stated in reading and submits three out of five pages. Fails to submit paper. Or, rehearses views stated in reading but only submits two or less of the five pages. Required Texts John Armstrong, ed., Understanding Four Views on Baptism (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2007). J. V. Fesko, Word, Water, and Spirit: A Reformed Perspective on Baptism (Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books, 2010). PDF Reader with selections (available through RTS Self-Service).
Lecture Schedule * Available on PDF Topic Time Day Reading Course Introduction 9.00-10.00am TUES Fesko, 1-11. Patristics, Middle Ages, Counter Reformation 10.00-11.00am *Didache; *Shepherd of Hermas; *Council of Trent; *Catechism of Trent; Fesko, 15-40. Luther and Lutheranism 11.00-12.00pm *Luther; Fesko, 41-57. Zwingli and the 1.30-2.30pm *Zwingli; Fesko, 57-79. Anabaptists Reformation Reformed theology 2.30-3.30pm Early and High Orthodoxy 3.30-4.30pm Calvin, Institutes, 4.14-16; *Belgic Confession; *Heidelberg Catechism; Fesko, 79-103. *Wollebius; *Ames; *Irish Articles; *Westminster Standards; *Second London Confession; Fesko, 104-55. Modern Theology 9.00-10.00am WEDS *Schleiermacher, *Pannenberg; Fesko, 156-92. Baptism as new creation 10.00-11.00am Fesko, 199-227. Baptism as new creation 11.00-12.00pm Baptism as covenant 1.30-2.30pm Fesko, 228-48. judgment Baptism as covenant 2.30-3.30pm judgment Baptism eschatological 3.30-4.30pm Fesko, 249-58. judgment Baptism as a means of 9.00-10.00am THURS Fesko, 265-89. grace Baptism as a sacrament 10.00-11.00am Fesko, 290-307. Baptism as a doctrine 11.00-12.00pm Fesko, 308-36. Baptism as a doctrine 1.30-2.30pm Baptism and its 2.30-3.30pm Fesko, 337-67. recipients Baptism and 3.30-4.30pm Fesko, 368-95. ecclesiology Baptist 9.00-10.00am FRI NOTE ALL PAPERS DUE AT END OF CLASS, FRIDAY, INCLUDING READING REPORT. Nettles Four Views, 25-58. Lutheran 10.00-11.00am Kolb Four Views, 91-128. Churches of Christ 11.00-12.00pm Castelein Four Views, 129-60. BUFFER BUFFER BUFFER 1.30-2.30pm 3.30-3.30pm 3.30-4.30pm
Student Learning Outcomes Master of Divinity (Although separated to represent individual outcomes, the following are necessarily integrated.) 1. A Mind for Truth A. Broadly understands and articulates knowledge, both oral and written, of essential biblical, theological, historical, and cultural/global information, including details, concepts, and frameworks. (Articulation-oral &written) B. 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.) (Scripture) C. Significant knowledge of Reformed theology and practice, with emphasis on the Westminster Standards. (Reformed Theology) 2. A Heart for God A. Demonstrates a love for the Triune God that aids the student s sanctification. (Sanctification) B. Burning desire to conform all of life to the Word of God. (Desire for Worldview) C. 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.) (Winsomely Reformed) 3. For Servant Leadership A. Ability to preach and teach the meaning of Scripture to both heart and mind with clarity and enthusiasm. (Preach) B. Knowledgeable of historic and modern Christian-worship forms; and ability to construct and skill to lead a worship service. (Worship) C. 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. (Shepherd) D. Ability to interact within a denominational context, within the broader worldwide church, and with significant public issues. (Church/World)
! CourseObjectivesRelatedtoMDiv*StudentLearningOutcomes Course:!! 4ST615/1!The!Doctrine!of!Baptism! Professor:! J.!V.!Fesko! Campus:!!RTSBAtlanta! Date:!15B18!July!2014! MDiv*StudentLearningOutcomes In#order#to#measure#the#success#of#the#MDiv#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#mdiv#outcomes.# #*As#the#MDiv#is#the#core#degree#at#RTS,#the#MDiv#rubric#will#be#used#in#this#syllabus.# Rubric! Strong!! Moderate!! Minimal!! None Mini;Justification Articulation (oral& written) Broadly!understands!and!articulates!knowledge,!both! oral!and!written,!of!essential!biblical,!theological,! historical,!and!cultural/global!information,!including! details,!concepts,!and!frameworks.!! Students!must!write!three!papers! and!participate!in!class!discussions.! Scripture 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.)! We!spend!a!significant!portion!of! time!surveying!the!scriptures!and! digging!into!key!texts!in!the!original! languages.! Reformed Theology Significant!knowledge!of!Reformed!theology!and! practice,!with!emphasis!on!the!westminster! Standards.!!! Students!survey!the!history!of!the! doctrine,!including!reformed!views! through!primary!sources!and!ideas! presented!in!class.! Sanctification Demonstrates!a!love!for!the!Triune!God!that!aids!the! student s!sanctification.! Class!will!hopefully!encourage! students!to! improve!their! baptism!as!the!westminster! Standards!state.! Desirefor Worldview Burning!desire!to!conform!all!of!life!to!the!Word!of! God.! MODERATE! By!seeing!all!of!redemptive!history,! it!shows!students!god s!sovereignty! over!it.! Winsomely Reformed Embraces!a!winsomely!Reformed!ethos.!(Includes!an! appropriate!ecumenical!spirit!with!other!christians,! especially!evangelicals;!a!concern!to!present!the! Gospel!in!a!GodBhonoring!manner!to!nonBChristians;! and!a!truthbinblove!attitude!in!disagreements.)! Students!will!engage!with!other! views!and!are!required!to!do!so!in!a! respectful!way.! Preach Ability!to!preach!and!teach!the!meaning!of!Scripture! to!both!heart!and!mind!with!clarity!and!enthusiasm.! Baptism!is!a!key!subject!in!the!life! of!the!church,!and!often!the!subject! of!sermons,!instruction,!and! discipleship.! Worship Knowledgeable!of!historic!and!modern!ChristianB worship!forms;!and!ability!to!construct!and!skill!to! lead!a!worship!service.! Baptism!is!a!key!element!of! worship.! Shepherd Ability!to!shepherd!the!local!congregation:!aiding!in! spiritual!maturity;!promoting!use!of!gifts!and!callings;! and!encouraging!a!concern!for!nonbchristians,!both! in!america!and!worldwide.! Baptism!relates!to!discipleship,!as! we!are!to!baptize!and!instruct! Christ s!disciples!in!his!teaching.! Church/World Ability!to!interact!within!a!denominational!context,! within!the!broader!worldwide!church,!and!with! significant!public!issues.! Given!differing!views!in!the!broader! church,!the!course!will!equip! students!to!be!familiar!with!many! of!those!views.!