Clapp, Rodney. A Peculiar People Laytham, Brent. God is Not … Donovan, Vincent. Christianity Rediscovered William Willimon, Shaped by the Bible Lee C. Camp, Mere Discipleship: Radical Christianity in a Rebellious Worldhttps://place.asburyseminary.edu/syllabi/2408/thumbnail.jp

Pasquarello, Michael

English

Asbury Theological Seminary

Asbury Theological SeminaryePLACE: preserving, learning, and creative exchangeSyllabi eCommons1-1-2005IS 501 Christian Formation: Kingdom, Church,and WorldMichael PasquarelloFollow this and additional works at: http://place.asburyseminary.edu/syllabiThis Document is brought to you for free and open access by the eCommons at ePLACE: preserving, learning, and creative exchange. It has beenaccepted for inclusion in Syllabi by an authorized administrator of ePLACE: preserving, learning, and creative exchange. For more information, pleasecontact thad.horner@asburyseminary.edu.Recommended CitationPasquarello, Michael, "IS 501 Christian Formation: Kingdom, Church, and World" (2005). Syllabi. Book 1304.http://place.asburyseminary.edu/syllabi/1304Kingdom, Church, and World IS 501 Spring, 2005 ExL Michael Pasquarello, PhD Ph. 859-858-2239 office    Introduction and Course Description: Welcome to the spring 2005 session of Kingdom, Church, and World. I am an Associate Professor of Practical Theology in The School of Theology at Asbury Theological Seminary, and this course is one about which I am very passionate!  There are few courses that give one an opportunity to critically examine one’s convictions and commitments regarding the nature of the Kingdom of God and its relation to the Church and World, a vision that embraces all reality under the Lordship of Christ in the power of the Spirit to the praise and glory of the Father.  These are three distinct, but intimately related aspects of the reality in which we live and engage in ministry—whether as laypersons or clergy, yet, how can one successfully engage that ministry without thoroughly examining and entering into these aspects of that reality?  In this course, we will have opportunity to consider a number of questions and issues including:   1. What is the Kingdom of God?  2. What is the Church?  3. How is the Kingdom present in the World through the Church?  4. What does it mean to be a part of the Church that is in the World?  5. What does it mean to be the Church?  6. What does it mean to engage in Churchly activities or practices?  By the end of the semester, we will have examined these matters and we shall have given first-order attempts at theologically sound and praxis-oriented answers to these questions.  Let the fun begin!   Course Rationale: It is altogether reasonable to ask, with regard to a given course, why a particular course is required, and so it is here.  There is a sense in which this entire syllabus is intended to answer that question, but we would characterize this course as having at least two over-arching intentions.  First, an essential skill for all engaged in Christian ministry is the ability to “think theologically.”  To think theologically is not merely to be able to appropriate certain proof texts in order to give “biblical” answers to given questions.  Rather, it involves the ability to begin to “get our arms, minds and hearts around” and our-selves into the biblical story as a canonical whole, to be able to inquire of the biblical narratives in an integrative way, and to be able to develop our answers and our way of life in a more holistic fashion.  Already, we have referenced our ability to properly appropriate the biblical texts, and this brings us to the second over-arching intention: to begin to see the Scriptures as organized around certain integrative motifs, themes, and movements initiated and guided by God.  In this regard, this course integrates theological reflection and biblically informed practice and demonstrates its significance for the faithful performance of scripture by God’s people.   Issues of importance include:  1. What constitutes a biblical “narrative?  Is there only one or are there multiple ones? 2. What role do these narratives play? 3. How is one to understand the relation of “part” and “whole” when interpreting the biblical narratives?  4. What does it mean to refer to the biblical materials as “narrative”?  5. How does the biblical narrative subvert our familiar ways of being, thinking and acting in the world: that is, how do Christ and the Spirit speak through the story of scripture to transform the life of the church and its members, making us faithful citizens of God’s kingdom?  By engaging these questions, we will be undertaking a critical and practical examination of some of our fundamental convictions about who we are and what God calls us to be, not simply as individuals, but as members of his Church, the Body of Christ in and for the world.  This may, even should be dis-orienting from time to time, and blessedly so!  But keep in mind our end or goal: to understand more fully and to live more faithfully as the people of God, to better grasp what it means to be in His service, the Church in the World, a sign, signal and witness to his Kingdom that is coming in Jesus Christ.   Course Objectives: Having successfully completed this course, students will be able to:  1. Articulate an understanding of the biblical narrative, and correlative way of life, that comes to focus for us best in Jesus’ proclamation and enactment of the kingdom of God: 2. Identify the particular contribution of the Wesleyan tradition to our understanding of this narrative: 3. Draw out major theological and ecclesial implications of this narrative, especially as these are related to the nature and mission of the people of God; 4. Evaluate cultural products (e.g., literature, television, movies, advertisements, print media, music) in light of major theological, moral, and philosophical implications of this narrative: 5. Exercise criticism and care with respect to one’s own cultural context and discernment with respect to the context of others vis-a-vis major theological, moral, and philosophical implications of this meta-narrative; 6. Articulate the ecclesial and missional implications of this narrative--specifically for one’s own context and generally for our shared global context; and 7. Exhibit a heightened sense of our commitment to life and service in the kingdom of God and our mission in the world (the missio dei).   Required Texts:  I believe you will be challenged, stimulated and informed by the following books, which I have read and found to be very, very beneficial.   Clapp, Rodney.  A Peculiar People    Laytham, Brent.  God is Not …  Donovan, Vincent.  Christianity Rediscovered   William Willimon, Shaped by the Bible Lee C. Camp, Mere Discipleship: Radical Christianity in a Rebellious World Collateral Reading: (purely optional, but related material)    Brimlow and Budde, Christianity Incorporated  Hauerwas, Stanley.  The Peaceable Kingdom  Ramachandra, Vinoth.  Gods that Fail, The Recovery of Mission  Snyder, Howard.  God’s Kingdom Now    Course Assessment: Determination of grade for this course will utilize a variety of assessments.  First, students will be evaluated with regard to their active and substantive participation in online discussions -- within your small groups, but also within the larger group.  We will be looking for thoughtful, succinct questions and commentary upon the questions of others.  Please note that this includes providing comment upon others’ posts, work, and “kingdom projects.”  This will constitute 25% of the course grade.  Second, students will be evaluated with regard to their active and substantive participation in Teams Each group will use specific materials, and specific assignments will be included in the weekly module assignments.  The purpose of these groups is to provide an opportunity for students to “meet together” and to share insights from the weekly readings, to hold each other accountable, and to encourage each other to live faithfully as children of God’s kingdom.  Each student will be assigned to a small group with at least three other students.  Prayer and other forms of mutual support are strongly recommended.  This will constitute 10% of the course grade.  Third, students are expected to participate in a “kingdom project.”  These projects are aimed at involving each student with active participation in some form of outreach ministries. I will be glad to make suggestions as to the type of projects that would be acceptable, and each student will indicate his/her selection by the end of the third week of class. But your selection will depend primarily on what is available in your particular location. However, we want you to serve others outside your local congregation, although you may do the project with members of your church.  Each kingdom project will include the student’s posting a brief presentation upon the nature and theological significance of his/her project, including a two-page reflection paper.  The goal of this brief paper is to integrate practice and theological reflection with regard to the kingdom project.  The presentation and reflection will constitute 15% of the course grade.  Fourth and fifth, respectively, there will be both a mid-term and a final exam.  Each will count 25%; thus, both exams together will constitute 50% of the course grade.    These are examples of Mid-term questions (please note they are not the actual questions):  1. Select one from the following, possible integrative motifs for the Scriptures, and then:  a. demonstrate its validity from within the biblical narrative  b. explicate its theological significance    c. sketch its ecclesial enactment Possible integrative motifs:  +God is creating a world of creatures for fellowship with himself.  +God is reconciling a world of fallen creatures to himself and to each other. +Our God is a holy and merciful God who reigns over heaven and earth.   2.  Rodney Clapp has said that the main task of the church is to be the church in the world.  Develop a theological vision of what it means to be the church without too quickly falling back merely into the question of what the church should be doing.  Each question is to be not less than 2 and not more than 3 pages, double spaced.   Examples of Final Exam question (please note they are not the actual questions for the final exam):  1. Lee Camp argues that, in the realm of personal and social ethics, we do not really take the example of Jesus seriously.  In fact, he gives commonly accepted reasons for sitting aside the example of Jesus for some other moral exemplar.  Your assignment is as follows:  a. Review in the reasons Camp gives in his opening chapter. b. Provide two pages of your best argument (don’t forget to incorporate the biblical witness, but do not fall into the proof-texting trap) as to why Camp is wrong in his thesis that Jesus and his life should always be the source and moral example for our personal and social ethics, c. Provide two pages of your best argument (same cautionary note) as to why Camp is right in the thesis stated in b, d. Provide four pages wherein you synthesize what you’ve discovered and work out its implications for life in the kingdom in the world.  Again, please double space your paper.    Course Schedule: (Please note that the professor’s posted reflections are not merely lectures that deal with the assigned readings.  Rather, they come at the same set of issues from differing theological and practical perspectives.  In the description of the module, I will comment briefly upon both any assigned videos and the assigned readings.)  Instructions for two page reflection papers on assigned books. a. Give a one sentence statement of what the book is about. b. Outline the argument in terms of: 1. Why the need? 2. What is the case being made? 3. What other positions are engaged? 4. What conclusions can we draw?      c.  Give three implications or consequences for ministry.       Other Matters for the Time Being  During the first week of June I will post Module #1.  We will begin by reading William Willimon’s Shaped by the Bible to get ourselves oriented.  You may want to begin reading this book at your leisure, although this is not an expectation since the semester has not yet begun.  Each module will be coordinated with one of the assigned texts.  You will be asked to respond on line to each other and the professor by answering discussion questions and reflections that will be posted in advance.  You will also be asked to submit your reflection papers on assigned books by the end of the module.    I will also post a schedule for the semester during the first week of Feb., which will trace our proposed path and set at ease all involved.  I expect that you will participate fully in the class discussions, in your kingdom projects, and in your small groups.  You will be assigned to small groups during the first module and instructions will be provided for their functioning.    The kingdom project should involve you in twelve (12) hours of hands-on ministry of some type, all outside of class.  You may choose the site for this project, and I should give approval before you begin.  The purpose of this assignment is for you to be involved in serving others for the sake of the kingdom, as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ.  You will be asked to write a short reflection paper on this experience in light of this class, describing how your involvement enabled you to be and do more as a disciple of Jesus and his Kingdom.  I believe I am very easy to work with, get along with, and to understand.  I love teaching and conversing with students.  I was a United Methodist pastor for almost 20 years in North Carolina before coming to Asbury.  My PhD work is in Church History, the Fathers through the Reformation, and I teach Practical Theology, with my primary focus being preaching.    I am in the process of completing a book, “Speaking of God: A Trinitarian Theology of Preaching” which will be published by Baker Academic Press, and will be starting my research for a project I will be doing on the preaching of John Wesley.    I will be setting time aside each Monday of the semester to work with you, and during this time I will not allow any other responsibilities to interfere with our class.  I will also check in with you at mid-week and at the end of the week.  I will engage with you quite freely since this is the only way we can learn.  I also want you to feel free to contact me regarding any questions and concerns you might have.  I believe my students from past semesters would tell you that I am quite accessible as a teacher, that I am interested in you and your progress, that I expect much and will give much in return.    I will be expanding this syllabus over the next several weeks, since this is only a working draft.  But you will have everything you need before we begin the class in the first week of June.  I intend to use the assigned books in the following order:  Willimon, Shaped by the Bible Clapp, A Peculiar People Laytham, God is Not Camp, Mere Discipleship Donavan, Christianity Rediscovered  We will allot 2-3 weeks to each book, dependent upon their respective lengths and contents.    I hope you will take this class quite seriously, and that you will allow yourself to be challenged and changed for the sake of the Kingdom.  Since we believe very much in the sanctification of our humanity through the work of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, we acknowledge that our minds and desires must be transformed, our loves re-ordered, and our loyalties aligned according to the Reign of God.  I do not presume that any of us, including myself, have attained to perfection, nor that any of us has all the answers or knows all the questions.  Please be charitable in our conversations, treat your neighbor as you would want to be treated, which, according to the Apostle Paul, is the sum of the Law now fulfilled in Christ.  We will address issues that strike at the very heart of who we are, which is only right if God is Lord of all creation.    Please do not feel defensive if your views are challenged, but rather accept the challenge as a gift of love and use it accordingly.  We will touch on nationalism, the church, money, capitalism, patriotism, war, the family, creation, evangelism, worship, reading scripture, and a host of other matters that, at time, will be quite contested.  This is not a ploy to upset you nor is it to “rock your faith” but is simply how Christians mature in conviction and practice.  Please take my comments and responses as being offered only in a spirit of Christian love and with a desire that we move towards the fullness of Christ together.  For this reason, I ask that in your responses and submitted work that you give good reason for your assertions, claims and convictions.  I have no problem whatsoever if you disagree with any of the reading material or my own comments; but I do have a problem if such disagreement is not struggled with and supported in a Christian manner, utilizing the resources God has given us as his people.  Our minds do matter for ministry!      Again, I believe you will find me to be very accessible and willing to engage with you on any matters that may arise.  I am very thankful to be a professor at Asbury Seminary, and I am especially thankful to be teaching this class with you!  I will be posting more for you during the first week of June.  In the meantime, if you have the opportunity and are so inclined, take a look at Willimon’s discussion of the Bible, paying special attention to what he says about narrative.  This is what we will be taking up when the semester begins.  I will be teaching a preaching course for Fuller Theological Seminary during the last two weeks in June at Colorado Springs.  My class, however, meets only in the evening, which will not interfere with my conversations with you.   For general questions and administrative assistance regarding the ExL program, contact Dale Hale:  ExL_Office@asburyseminary.edu  Phone: (859) 858-2393  For technical support, library research support, library loans, and ExL media contact Information Commons:   Info_Commons@asburyseminary.edu  Phone:  (859) 858-2233  Toll-free: (866) 454-2733   PEACE, MIKE PASQUARELLO 

IS 501 Christian Formation: Kingdom, Church, and World

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IS 501 Christian Formation: Kingdom, Church, and World

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