COS 312—Our Theological Heritage: The Reformation
Instructor: Becky Haney, Ph.D., M.Div.
Email: [email protected] Phone: (405) 204-1460
NACOS Website: www.umcnacos.org
Course Website
www.calvin.edu/academic/economics/faculty/bios/HaneyDocs/COS312
Description
This course is a critical reflection upon the individuals, decisive events, and
theological developments during the period of the Protestant Reformation.
Utilizing the categories of grace and faith as focusing lenses, the student
appropriates the Reformation heritage and enters into the church’s ongoing
task of interpreting and enacting the gospel for contemporary life.
Attention will be given to selected primary sources.
Objectives
1. Examination of the Reformation on the European continent, with due
attention to the theologies of Luther, Zwingli, Calvin, and the Anabaptists
2. Engagement with pivotal theological concerns in their historical context,
including the relationship of faith and reason, justification by grace
through faith, sacramental theology, ecclesiology, and Christology
3. Analysis of the Catholic Reformation as reflected in the Council of Trent
and such figures as Ignatius Loyola, Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross,
and Blaise Pascal
4. Analysis of the English Reformation of the sixteenth century and the rise
of Puritanism in the seventeenth century
5. Understanding and appreciating the historical development and context
of Christian theology
6. Continued growth and development of the pastor’s identity as theologian
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Required Texts
1)
Gonzalez, Justo, L. The Story of Christianity, Volume II: The Reformation to
the Present Day. New York: HarperCollins, 1985 or 2010 edition.
2)
Lohse, Bernhard. A Short History of Christian Doctrine: From the First
Century to the Present (Revised American Edition), Philadelphia: Fortress
Press, 1985
3)
Online readings of primary documents from the Christian Classics Ethereal
Library www.ccel.org. Specifically:
a) “Do humans have free will?” (Click on the link or copy and paste this into
your browser: http://www.ccel.org/node/7391) summarize, compare, and
contrast ideas from Augustine, Aquinas, Calvin, Arminius and Wesley
Expectations
The first week (Sep. 22-23) will focus on the chronology, persons, and key issues
of the Reformation. Before class meets, students are to (1) read ch. 1-8 & 12 (4-5
hours) of Gonzalez’ text, (2) sketch out brief answers (1-2 single-spaced pages) to
the questions outlined below (8-10 hours). There will be quizzes on important
persons, timeline of key events and theological ideas from the reading. While these
are a part of the course grade, the intent behind the quizzes is to provide
feedback to students on the level of understanding of the Reformation.
The second week (Oct. 20-21) will focus on placing the Reformation on the journey
of Christ’s church in human history. We will explore how the Reformation reformed ideas and continues to influence the theology, liturgy and doctrine of the
church. Before class meets, students are to (1) read Lohse, Bernhard. A Short
History of Christian Doctrine: pp. 100-196, pp. 215-236, pp. 237-247 (4-5 hours)
(2) the primary documents as indicated on the CCEL (2-3 hours), (3) write a
discussion paper that summarizes, compares and contrasts those five views of
human free will (3-4 hours), and (4) write a 6-10 page term paper that explores
ways in which the questions and answers that were posed during Luther’s time
continue resurface in our own churches (12-20 hours).
The term paper should explore what is at stake in these questions and discuss how
understanding the Protestant Reformation strengthens our ability to teach and
provide pastoral leadership today. It can compare and contrast the Protestant
Reformation with other schisms as well as with movements toward unity in the life
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of Christ’s church. The goal of the paper is to provide insight into how God works
through human history to reflect a glimpse of the Holy Spirit as counselor at work
in the body of Christ. Students will present their papers during the second week of
class.
1.
Reading Assignments:
Week One: Gonzalez, Justo, L. The Story of Christianity, Volume 2:
Ch. 1-8, 12
Week Two:
(a) Lohse, Bernhard. A Short History of Christian Doctrine
pp. 100-196
pp. 215-236
pp. 237-247
(b) Online primary documents from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library
(www.ccel.org). Specifically: Augustine, Aquinas, Calvin, Arminius and Wesley
under “Do humans have free will?” (Click on the link or copy and paste this
web address into your browser: http://www.ccel.org/node/7391).
2.
Discussion Papers:
I. Before the first session, students should answer the first three of the
following questions in a few paragraphs. These will be the basis of class
discussion for the first session. The last three questions will be due at the
beginning of the next day. Recommended: All six questions can be answered
before the first day of class.
1)
What was “humanism” and describe its influence (or lack of) on the
Protestant Reformation. Why was Erasmus known as the “Prince of
Humanists”?
2)
Describe Martin Luther’s search for spiritual assurance and his
“discovery” in scripture of the doctrine of justification by faith and its
effect on his theology.
3)
At the Marburg Colloquy (1529) Martin Luther and Ulrich Zwingli and their
followers agreed on many things but not their understanding of the
Lord’s Supper. Discuss the Marburg Colloquy and the position of these
two reformers on the Lord’s Supper.
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4)
John Calvin and the doctrine of predestination have been closely linked.
What was Calvin’s position on predestination and what was the Arminian
response to Calvin’s understanding of it?
5)
How and why did the Anabaptist movement develop and in what ways did
this differ from the leading reform movements of the European
Reformation? Explain the Anabaptist position on baptism and contrast it
with the Methodist understanding of baptism.
6)
Compare and contrast the Methodist understanding of “justification” (for
example, in the Methodist Book of Discipline) with Luther’s view.
II. Before the second session (just one discussion paper):
Summarize, compare, and contrast the views of human free will in:
Augustine, Aquinas, Calvin, Arminius and Wesley (found online at CCEL)
D. Learning Assessments:
1. Quizzes and Class Participation (including leading class discussion of one topic): 10
points possible (10% of your grade).
2. Pre-assigned discussion questions: Each one is worth 10pts. 7 questions X 10 pts =
70pts possible (70% of your grade).
As stated above, the first three questions are due at the beginning of the first
class, the second three are due the next day. All six can be completed before
the first class.
The discussion paper for the second week and the term paper are to be completed
before the first day of that session.
3. Term Paper (6-10 pages) = 20 points (20 % of your grade). As stated above, this
paper is due at the beginning of the second class.
E. Guidelines:
1. Grading: Please refer to the Course of Study’s Handbook for the
explanation of the grading policy.
2. As the course progresses, the syllabus may be changed or adapted at the
instructor’s discretion to facilitate students reaching the goals of the learning
objectives stated above.
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G. Formatting your papers:
1. Answer the questions using your own words and complete sentences.
2. Quotations from a text must be enclosed within quotation marks. The use of
footnotes is preferred, but you may use parentheses after the quotation to cite the
source and the page number. If you use this method and an assigned text, an
abbreviation of the text may be used: Janz, A Reformation Reader as (Janz, 65.). If
you feel compelled to seek outside sources, please include bibliographical information.
NOTE: Quotations should be at most a sentence or two accompanied by your analysis
of the same. A short paper is not the place to use longer quotations. The object of the
paper is to demonstrate your understanding of the question based on your readings of
your texts.
3. Your printed papers should be on 8 1/2 X 11 white paper, one-sided, double-spaced,
with 1” margins on all sides. Use Times New Roman or Arial 12-point font. There are
approximately 250 words per 1 page of printed text.
4. Put your name, course name, and date of first class on the first page and last name
and page number on subsequent pages.
5. Staple pages together in the upper left hand corner
6. Make copies of your papers and bring them to class. We will be using them during
class discussions.
7. Academic Integrity: Please reference the standards delineated in the Course of
Study Handbook and pay particular attention to the section on “plagiarism”. Plagiarism
is the use of any material in your papers that is not original to you and for which you
do not give credit to the source. Plagiarism must be avoided at all costs. When in any
doubt, document the source of your written work. The use of plagiarism usually means
failure of the course.
-A good website for reference regarding the use of quotations, summarizing
and paraphrasing in your writing is:
http://unitproj.library.ucla.edu/col/bruinsuccess/03/09.cfm
(also /10, /11).
8. Grading: Please refer to the Course of Study Handbook in your registration packet
for an explanation of the grading policy.
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