BIBLE
AND LEADERSHIP DIVISIONS
IC3610
Exercises in Biblical Theology
Fall
2006 Full Course
Mondays
1:10-4:00
NW
100
NW
210 BH
104D
651-641-3218 651-641-3327
cvangeld@luthersem.edu dfredric@luthersem.edu
Course Description
A study of the Bible
as a living Word that informs the imaginative framework for leading in mission
as the church encounters the world and engages in ministry. Through lectures,
case studies and field projects, students and instructors engage in doing
biblical theology in the context of the practice of ministry.
Course Objectives
1.
Develop Awareness of How
Hermeneutics Is a Part of the Interpretive Process
a.
Become
familiar with how hermeneutics shapes the interpretive process of scripture,
and develop clarity on what one’s own hermeneutical approach is.
b.
Become
familiar with how hermeneutics is a part of the interpretive process of leading
in ministry within specific contexts, and develop clarity on what one’s own
hermeneutical approach is.
2.
The Use of Scripture for
Ministry and Doing Theology in Context. Each student will be expected to:
a.
Develop
a clear understanding of his/her approach for reading and interpreting Scripture
for the practice of ministry and for reflecting theologically in context. This
will be done in relation to the Christian tradition in general and the
student’s confessional/denominational tradition in particular.
b.
Demonstrate
the ability to relate this understanding to specific ministry issues and
contextual settings.
3.
The Practice of Leading in Christian
Mission. Each
student will be expected to:
a.
Develop
a clear understanding of the practice of leading in Christian mission. The intent
is to help each student utilize biblical-theological frameworks for applying and
interpreting theoretical insights from the social sciences and other practical
methodologies as he/she provides leadership for mission.
b.
Demonstrate
the ability to relate this practice to specific biblical-theological loci and
specific ministry issues and contextual settings.
4.
Growth and Clarity in Self-
Understanding. Each student will be expected to:
a.
Clarify
his/her theology, theory and practice of using Scripture in relationship to
ministry; and
b.
Clarify
his/her leadership identify and vocational call.
5.
Integration.
Each student will be expected to be able to integrate processes and
insights from the various disciplines of theology (Scripture, systematics,
historical theology, Christian education, and so on) and from various social
sciences (leadership, systems theory, and so on).
Pedagogy and Approach
·
This
course is intended to serve as a capstone
course for MDiv seniors and function as a senior seminar.
·
The
primary focus of the course will be on integrating biblical theology with an imagination
for leading in mission. The course will:
o Develop capacity of
students to utilize the Bible through exercises in biblical theology to address
real life ministry issues through fostering their biblical imagination
o Develop capacity of
students for leading in mission in relation to congregations and their context
through fostering their leadership identity
·
Emphasis
will be placed on peer interaction and using teams as the basis for shared
learning.
·
Lectures
and course readings will be used to frame the approach utilized in this course;
and case studies will be employed to help students engage critical ministry
issues for leading in mission.
·
Students
will be expected: (a) to draw on the assigned readings, while also locating and
using additional sources; (c) to engage in biblical exegesis, and (c) to
reflect on previous ministry experience as they develop responses to the issues
that are raised by the case studies.
Required
Texts
Any
study Bible (The HarperCollins Study
Bible NRSV is recommended)
Van Gelder, Craig and Rick Bliese,
editors, The
Herrington,
Jim et al. Leading Congregational Change,
Jossey-Bass, 2000.
James D.
Whitehead & Evelyn Eaton Whitehead, Method in Ministry: Theological
Reflection and
Additional articles or chapters as
assigned each week (see course reserve list; all reserve articles will either
be available on electronic reserve through the Seminary’s library web page or
will be handed out in class)
Course Assignments and
Evaluation
Student Groups and Case
Studies
Students will be
assigned to small groups of 4-5 persons. A major portion of the class work will
be completed as group assignments. Five selective, pre-written case studies will
be used to introduce students to issues of Christian ministry that draw
together the two foci of the class – exercises in biblical theology and leading
in mission. Two weeks will be spent on each case. The first case will be
discussed and resolved by the entire class as a practice exercise. Each group
will then be responsible to develop formal presentations of a proposed
resolution on two of other four cases.
Case Study Topics
1.
Practicing stewardship – understanding the place and importance
of stewardship within congregations and one’s personal ministry.
2.
Understanding God’s mission – gaining perspective on God’s mission
in the world, the Triune God in mission to all of creation and the missionary
nature of the church.
3.
Helping congregations
engage in holistic ministry
– utilizing mission and vision in helping a congregation define and develop a
holistic ministry within its community.
4.
Guiding congregations
through change and conflict
– understanding that Spirit-led ministry requires change that often involves
conflict, and learning how to lead in this context.
5.
Understanding and addressing
leadership issues
– understanding and addressing issues associated with leadership identity,
ordained ministry, and multi-staff ministries.
Case Study Method
·
Each
case will be introduced by the professors the final hour of the class period
prior to the two-week period when each case is scheduled for discussion and
completion.
o Two groups will be
designated to address cases 2-5 formally while all groups engage in a process
of resolving each case.
o A handout will be distributed
for each case that lists required readings, assignments, and recommended
readings.
·
During
the first week:
o Each group will complete a
SWOC on the case.
o Each group will complete
the initial reading and study regarding the case, and come prepared to class
for discussion of the substance of the issues of the case.
·
The
first week in class that is assigned to the case will involve:
o Two 75 minute presentations—one
each by the two professors—on related materials and issues to be considered in
developing a response to the case.
·
The
second week in class that is assigned to the case will involve:
o Every student not
presenting on that case will submit a one page written proposed resolution of
the case that focuses on the strategy of choice and the biblical and
theological rationale for that choice.
o Two presentations of 30
minutes each by the lead groups regarding their proposed resolution of the
case, including a brief summary of the issues, strategy of resolution agreed
to, biblical and theological argument for the proposed strategy of resolution,
social science insights that inform the strategy, and a plan of action to implement
the strategy Groups are encouraged to use a variety of media in making their
presentations, including power point, video clips, handouts, charts, etc.
o A 50-minute discussion and
critique of the lead group’s presentation by the entire class;
o Groups will be evaluated on
the quality and depth of their research and engagement with the issues of the
case as well as on the quality of their presentation.
o A 30-minute introduction of
the next case.
·
Required
Resources
o Each case study is designed
to invite students into doing some background reading in the topic assigned. A
variety of books and articles on each case topic will be recommended for
consideration. The student groups assigned as the lead groups for presenting on
the case must spend time reading these suggested resources.
Class Schedule
Class One Introduction to Course and Overview of Syllabus
Sept. 11 Dr. Van Gelder: “This Course in
Relation to the Curricular Strategy”
Dr. Fredrickson: "What Does a Dove
Mean?"
Class Two How Hermeneutics Shapes the Process of Doing
Theology
Sept 18 Dr. Fredrickson: "Is it a Sin
to Interpret the Bible"
Dr.
Van Gelder: “A Framework and Process for Doing Theology”
Assigned
Herrington
et al., pp. 1-15
Whitehead
& Whitehead, pp. 1-66
*Gerhard Forde, “The Normative Character
of Scripture for Matters of
Life
and Faith: Human Sexuality in Light of Romans 1:16-32,”
Word & World 14 (1994)
(http://www.luthersem.edu/word&world/Archives/14-3_Sex/14-3_Forde.pdf)
*Martin Luther, “How Christians Should Regard Moses”
in Timothy Lull,
Martin
Luther’s Basic Theological Writings, 135-148
* Van
Gelder, “The Hermeneutics of Leading in
Class Three The Role of Scripture in Doing Theology
Sept 25 Dr. Fredrickson: "Scriptural
Theories of Scripture"
Dr.
Van Gelder: Introduction to Case One
Assigned
Herrington
et al., pp. 16-27
Whitehead & Whitehead, pp. 67-102
*Romans 15:1-6; 2
Corinthians 3; and 2 Timothy 3:12-17
*Heifetz
and Linski, Leadership on the Line, chap. 1
*Bryson,
Strategic Planning, chap. 5
Class Four Developing Resource Perspectives for
Case One
Oct 2 Each of the instructors will
provide resource perspectives for helping to
address the case study.
Time will also be spent in class working on
attending and asserting
relative to the case.
Assigned
Class Five Resolution of Case One
Oct 9 The class will work on developing
a resolution to the case.
The
presentation of an example resolution will be made by the instructors and
critiqued by the class.
Introduction of Case Two
Assigned
Class Six Case Two Resource Perspectives
Oct 16 Each of the instructors will
provide resource perspectives for helping to
address the case study.
Assigned
Class Seven Resolution of Case Two
Oct 30 Two Groups Present
Class discussion of
presentations
Introduction of Case
Three
Assigned
Class Eight Case Three Resource Perspectives
Nov 6 Each of the instructors will
provide resource perspectives for helping to
address the case study.
Assigned
Class Nine Resolution of Case Three
Nov13 Two Groups Present
Class discussion of
presentations
Introduction of Case
Four
Assigned
Class Ten Case Four Resource Perspectives
Nov 27 Each of the instructors
will provide resource perspectives for helping to
address the case study.
Assigned
Class Eleven Resolution of Case Four
Dec 4 Two Groups Present
Class discussion of
presentations
Introduction of Case
Five
Assigned
Class Twelve Case Four Resource Perspectives
Dec 11 Each of the instructors will
provide resource perspectives for helping to
address the case study.
Assigned
Class Thirteen Resolution of Case Five
Dec 18 Two Groups Present
Class discussion of
presentations
Evaluation of Class