Doctrinal Portfolio 23 Assignment | Online Assignment

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Historical Theology, HTH6600
Professor: Benjamin T. Quinn, Ph.D.
Email: bquinn@sebts.edu
Grader: Mr. Dennis Greeson Grader Contact: dgreeson@sebts.edu
Secretary: Mrs. Kay Smith Secretary Contact: ksmith@sebts.edu, 919-761-2470
I. Course Description— This course is a comprehensive study of the historical development of some of the central doctrines of the Christian faith.
II. Southeastern Core Competencies:
1. Be spiritually formed by the critical interaction and discussion concerning the ideas presented by the readings.
2. Develop stronger biblical exposition skills by assessing the ideas presented in the readings against the teaching of Scripture.
3. Cultivate theological integration skills by drawing upon ideas from previous church history courses, and synthesizing and examining those ideas alongside the ideas of this course. Further, students will assess all of these ideas in light of the great theological traditions handed down throughout the history of the church.
4. Receive preparation for ministry by engaging deeper with scripture, theology, philosophy, and important cultural themes and ideas.
5. Develop critical thinking and communication skills, both written and verbal via the assignments of the course and in class discussion.
III. Student Learning Outcomes: At the end of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Recognize the development of Nicene and Chalcedonian doctrinal traditions in Christian history
2. Analyze doctrinal positions of major Christian traditions as represented in creeds and confessions.
3. Articulate the role of history/tradition in theological method and development.
IV. Required Readings
1. Alister McGrath, Historical Theology: An Introduction to Christian Thought, 2nd ed. (Malden, Mass.: Wiley-Blackwell, 2013). ISBN: 978-0-470-67285-3
2. R. L. Wilken, The First Thousand Years: A Global History of Christianity (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 2012). ISBN: 978-0-300-11884-1
3. Timothy George, Theology of the Reformers (B&H Academic, Revised Edition, 2013) ISBN: 978-0-805-40195-0
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4. Justin Holcomb, Know the Creeds and Councils, (Zondervan Academic, 2014) ISBN: 978-0-310-
51509-8 (Students should not purchase this book. Instructions regarding this book are forthcoming later in the semester regarding gaining access to the book.)
5. PDF’s supplied on Moodle.
V. Course Requirements
1. Attendance, 10%
i. Students will complete an attendance quiz on Moodle at the end of the semester.
ii. Students who are absent for more than 20% of the class meetings will automatically fail the course.
iii. Should extreme circumstances arise preventing a student from attending class, he/she is responsible to contact the professor immediately. The professor reserves the right to show grace or not as he determines is best.
2. Reading Affirmation, 10%
i. Students will read Timothy George’s Theology of the Reformers in its entirety and complete a reading affirmation quiz at the end of the semester.
3. Reading Quizzes, 20% (1, 2)
i. Quizzes will consist of 10 objective questions drawn from the McGrath reading.
ii. There will also be occasional questions pertaining to the assigned Moodle PDF for the wee
iii. Students will have 10 minutes to complete the quiz
iv. Quizzes are open book.
4. Development of Doctrine Portfolio, 20% (1, 2)
i. Students will complete a Development of Doctrine Portfolio that may serve them as a reference in the future.
ii. Each entry should consider “What, When, Who, and Why” of major creeds/confessions/documents/events in Church history.
iii. Additionally, the Portfolio should:
1. Include a minimum of 15 entries, with a minimum of 3 pgs per entry (double spaced)
2. Spread across the major divisions of Church history (Patristic, Medieval, Reformation- Post-Reformation, Modern-Contemporary) — SEE APPENDIX 1
3. Should incorporate at least 2 reputable sources (primary and/or
secondary) in each entry (not Wikipedia and the like)
5. Incorporate block quotes sparingly. This project should be comprised mostly of the student’s own work. There is no need to reproduce significant portions of creeds or confessions.
i. Students are encouraged to follow the pattern set by the Professor in class regarding which creed/confessions/documents/events to include, though they may consider others not discussed in class if they so desire. The portfolio will be graded on the following:
1. Quality of content (accuracy, nuance, fairness, etc.)
2. Quality of writing (grammar, articulation)
3. Quality and use of primary and secondary sources
4. Clarity, Organization, and Logic
5. Completion of the assignment (number of entries, timely submission, etc.)
6. Book Review, 20% (1, 2, 3)
i. Students will read and critically review R. L. Wilken’s The First Thousand Years.
ii. Each review should be 4-5 pages double spaced, 12 pt. Times New Roman font, with 1” margins, and include the following sections:
1. Intro and Author’s Thesis (students must state what they believe the author’s thesis is).
2. Summary of Author’s Argument
3. Critical Reflection (pro and con)
4. Conclusion (may include brief personal reflection here if desired)
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iii. Reviews should follow Turabian style (see Writing Center page on Moodle for writing samples).
Students should include the book’s citation at the top of the first page and use parenthetical citations for pages referenced throughout the review
7. Tradition and Theology Essay, 20% (3)
i. Students will submit a 6-8 page essay answering the following question: “What is the role of history/tradition in theological method and development?”
ii. The best essays will engage Scripture and outside sources, though no minimum number of sources is required.
iii. The essay should include the following sections:
1. Introduction and Thesis: What is your position regarding the role(s) tradition and history should play in the task of theology?
2. Body: Support for position that incorporate clear logic and organization to the argument.
3. Engagement with other positions: What are perspectives that disagree with your position and why? (e.g. Catholic, Reformed Confessional, Liberal Protestant, etc.). Be sure to cite at least one historical figure that best represents the views you discuss.
4. Summary and Conclusion
iv. Students must use section headings in their essay for clarity and organization.
VI. Grading and Course Expectations
1. This course meets the SEBTS/C@SE standard for a 3hr credit course.
2. Each assignment listed counts toward the final grade and all must be submitted. Failure to submit any one of the Course Requirements will result in failure of the course.
3. All questions related to grades should first be submitted to the grader. Questions about the nature of the assignment, expectations of the assignment, etc. should be submitted to the professor.
4. EXTRA CREDIT: Extra Credit (EC) is available. Up to 5 total points on your final grade may be added for additional work that is done with excellence that is related to the course.
i. For more details on specific EC assignments, see the professor.
ii. All EC assignments must be turned in by the last day of class. No late EC assignments will be accepted.
5. Plagiarism and Cheating:
i. Cheating or plagiarism of any kind will result in an immediate failing grade on the assignment with no chance for resubmission. The professor does have the option either to allow the student to remain in and complete the course or to dismiss the student from the course completely. Regardless of the professor’s ruling, all cases of cheating or plagiarism will be reported to the Dean of Students Office and the appropriate Academic Dean(s) where further disciplinary action will be considered. At the very least, a permanent record of the infraction will be kept in the student’s file. For further information regarding this policy, please refer to the ‘Plagiarism & Cheating’ section of the Student Handbook.
6. Grading Scale
A = 100–95
B = 94–87
C = 86–77
D = 76–70
F = 69–0
VII. Miscellaneous Information
1. Due Dates: Please be attentive to all due dates. The professor is happy to be flexible when unusual circumstances necessitate it, but laziness, forgetfulness, procrastination, poor organization and balance with other class, etc. are not good excuses.
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2. Appointments: The professor enjoys meeting with students. If you would like to set an appointment,
please do so via Mrs. Kay Smith. Her contact info is available at the top of pg. 1.
3. This class is intended to foster your love for God and others. May you love Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and may you love others as yourself more as a result of this course!
VIII. Disability Statement
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and The College at Southeastern comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Students with disabilities who need special accommodations must make their requests and submit documentation to the Dean of Students Office.
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IX. TENTATIVE Course Schedule
Wk#
Era
Topic
Reading
Assignments
01
CHRIST TO CHALCEDON
The Story of Theology/Early Church
McGrath: 1-15
PDF: see Moodle
Quiz 1
02
Early Church/Patristic: Rule of Faith and Apostle’s Creed
McGrath: 16-35
PDF: See Moodle
Quiz 2
03
Patristic/Augustine: Nicaea, Constantinople, and The Bishop of Hippo
McGrath: 36-76
PDF: See Moodle
Quiz 3
04
Patristic/Chalcedon
Wilken: Don’t get behind! Should be to p. 204 by now!
PDF: See Moodle
05
CHALCEDON TO SCHISM
Key Councils: Orange, Constantinople (II-III), Nicaea II
McGrath: 77-98
PDF: See Moodle
Quiz 4
06
Empire and Papacy
PDF: See Moodle
07
Spring Break
08
SCHISM TO REFORMATION
Church & State: Popes, Emperors, and Empires
PDF: See Moodle
Portfolios (Should have at least 8 entries completed. Not required to submit at this stage, but do not procrastinate!)
09
East and West, 1054
PDF: See Moodle
Wilken Book Review Due
10
Scholasticism and Friends
McGrath: 98-123
PDF: See Moodle
Quiz 5
11
Easter Break
12
95 Theses and Lutheran Confessions
McGrath: 124-146
PDF: See Moodle
Quiz 6
13
COUNTER REFORMATION TO TODAY
Council of Trent, Anglican Origins
McGrath: 146-181
PDF: See Moodle
Quiz 7
14
Reformed Confessions
McGrath: 182-210
PDF: See Moodle
Quiz 8
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15
Baptist Confessions
McGrath: 210-268
PDF: See Moodle
Quiz 9
Tradition and Theology Essay
16
Contemporary Confessions and Statements
McGrath: 269-270
PDF: See Moodle
Quiz 10
Doctrinal Portfolios Due
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Appendix 1: Entries for Doctrinal Portfolio
 Patristic Era
o Apostle’s Creed
o Council of Nicaea
o Council of Chalcedon
 Medieval Era
o Council of Orange
o Monothelite Controversy
o First Eucharistic Controversy – Radbertus & Ratramnus
o East-West Schism
 Reformation Era
o Book of Concord
o Schleitheim Confession
o Council of Trent
o Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion and the Westminster Confession
o Second London Confession
 Modern Era
o Second Vatican Council
o Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy
o Cape Town Commitment (2010)