Reformation
Theology (0649)
Department
of Theology
Tyndale
Seminary
Fall
2007
Mondays
at
6:30 p.m.
Office
Hours: Wednesday at
11:30 a.m.
;
Mondays at
4:00 p.m.
Instructor:
Victor Shepherd
416
226 6380 ext. 6726
email:
victor.shepherd@sympatico.ca
Description
This course chiefly investigates the theology of three
foundational foci of
Sixteenth Century evangelical understanding: Luther, Calvin and
the English Reformers (Ridley and Tyndale.)
In addition Gabriel Biel will be probed as the immediate,
late-Mediaeval foil for the Sixteenth Century Reformers, as well as
Erasmus, who represents the Humanist alternative to evangelical
conviction.
Objectives:
1] to
inform students of the theological diversity on the eve of the
Reformation;
2] to
enable students to discern convergences and divergences with respect to
this diversity;
3] to
acquaint students with the theological substance of major thinkers;
4] to
have students relate major Reformation motifs to contemporary theology;
5] to
enable students to assess Reformation doctrine in light of the history
of Christian thought;
6] to
provide students with a tool for evaluating the doctrinal position and
ethos of denominations that
claim a
Reformation root;
7] to
have students grasp why theology that is 500 years old will be read
until the parousia;
8] to
acquaint students with the exegetical riches of the Reformation.
Prerequisites:
Systematic Theology I and II. (0531, 0532)
Requirements:
1] a major essay
2] a final examination
The essay is to be approximately 3500 words long.
It is to be submitted no later than the conclusion of the final
examination.
Textbooks:
A “Kinkos” volume of
selected readings will be purchased from the Tyndale Bookstore.
Evaluation:
Essay: 50%
Exam: 50%
Please note:
1] Written materials are to
be submitted in conformity with academic standards.
2] The student handbook
should be consulted for matters pertaining to academic integrity.
3] A select bibliography will
be handed out in class.
Schedule
Sept. 10
Gabriel Biel
Late
Mediaeval Scholasticism
“The Circumcision of the Lord”
Sept. 17
Desiderius Erasmus
Renaissance
Humanism
“The
Handbook of the Militant Christian”
Sept. 24
Martin Luther
The early Luther
“Disputation
Against Scholastic Theology”
“The Ninety-Five
Theses”
“Preface to the
Wittenberg
Edition of Luther's German Writings”
Oct.
1
The Righteousness of God
“Two Kinds of Righteousness”
“A Meditation on Christ's Passion”
Oct.
8
(Thanksgiving Day: No Class)
Oct.
15
Freedom in Christ
“The Freedom of a Christian”
Oct. 22
John
Calvin
Justification
III:
11,14 (Institutes)
Oct.
29
Law and Gospel
II: 7,9-11
Nov.
5
(Instructor is at meetings of
American
Academy
of Religion: No Class)
Nov.
12
The Mediator and His Work
II: 6,12,13,15,16
Nov.
19
The Holy Spirit and Faith
III: 1,2
Nov.
26
Predestination
III: 21,22 (omit 6-9), 23,24
Dec.
3
Nicholas Ridley
Treatise Against the Error
of Transubstantiation
Dec. 10
William Tyndale
A
Pathway to the Holy Scripture
Dec. 17
Examination
