DESCRIPTION:

This course is designed to enable Reformed Church in America students to gain an understanding of, and appreciation for, the credal foundation of the RCA that is basic to its unity, ethos, and vision. The creeds will be studied in their individual historical context, their impact on the life of the RCA, and their significance for ministry in the world today.

As a credal church, the RCA approaches its theologizing, its ethical considerations, its proclamation, its church polity, and its sense of unity from the perspectives of its three creedal foundations. A detailed knowledge of the creeds is essential for ministry in the RCA.

The course will meet once a week for three hours. Six major theological themes will be covered during the quarter. The first hour will highlight the issues in today's social context to which the selected credal theme may speak. The second hour will analyze the theme as it is expressed in the creeds. The third hour will be devoted to reflecting on matters in parish ministry where the theme is significant.

Barth, Karl. The Faith of the Church. Meridian, 1958 (available in class).

Calvin, John. Institutes of the Christian Religion. Westminster, 1960. (Use as reference only.)

Ecumenical Creeds and Reformed Confessions. CRC Publications, 1988.

Heideman, Eugene. A People in Mission: Their Expanding Dream. and A People in Mission: Their Surprising Harvest. Reformed Church Press, 1984, 1980 (both available in class).

Hesselink, John. On Being Reformed. RCA Distribution Center.

Plantinga, Cornelius. A Place to Stand. (This is out of print and will be available in class.)

Van Engen, Charles. Covenant Children. Self-published, 1999 (available in class).

Van Halsema, T. B. Three Men Came to Heidelberg. Christian Reformed Publ. (avail. in class).

Choose between:

Harmelink, Herman, III. Ecumenism and the Reformed Church. Eerdmans, 1968. OR

Van Hoeven, James, ed. Piety and Patriotism. Eerdmans, 1976.

The student is expected to read longitudinally through the creeds each week, listening to what they say regarding the topic for discussion for that week, and writing a 1-page summary of what the creeds say regarding that theme.

1. Write 6 two-page typed, double-spaced book reviews on Plantinga, Barth, Hesselink, Van Engen, and Harmelink or Van Hoeven above.

2. Check-off list of supplemental readings, including Van Halsema and two Heideman texts above.

3. Choose one major theological theme on which to reflect. This reflection will include a 1-page summary on what the Creeds say about the theme, a 2-page summary of what Calvin's Institutes says about this same theme, and assignment #4.

4. A major project or paper on the same theme chosen for #3, prepared in consultation with a variety of resources as described in the course syllabus: Either (A) Preach a sermon, or teach a Sunday School lesson or youth Bible study and hand in the outline and materials used and a 1-page report. OR (B) Write a 10-page typed, double-spaced paper developing the theological significance of the theme. OR (C) Write a 15-page typed, double-spaced credo, using the guidelines provided, and commenting briefly on the theme's impact on the ministry and mission of the church in the world of this new century.