Assignments for this course take the form of written summaries, research, and analysis. They are designed to help us work through the course
objectives, while keeping a focus on our spiritual growth through conceptual learning.For each assignment, please develop a document and submit it to me in either Microsoft Word or HTML format (your word processing
software should permit you to do a "save as" and choose either of those formats).
Assignment #1
http://thirdmill.org/seminary/course.asp/vs/byt
Lesson
#1:What is Theology?
Explores
typical definitions, describes and evaluates the
perspectives of these definitions.
http://thirdmill.org/seminary/course.asp/vs/byt
Forum 1:
What is Theology?
Q&A on
Lesson 1
Length
10-12 pages
How
would you explain the term “theology” to someone who was
unfamiliar with the concept? Which approach to theology
do you think is more valuable? Why? Explain how you
might successfully approach theology with a life
orientation. What does it mean to say that “our beliefs
and our actions and our feelings form webs of multiple
reciprocities”? Why is this concept important to
understand as you begin the study of theology? How can
we avoid the trap of intellectualism as we studytheology?
Assignment #2
http://thirdmill.org/seminary/course.asp/vs/byt
Lesson
#2: Exploring Christian Theology
. Defines
what is Christian theology, explores the theological
traditions that gave shape to Christian theology as well
as the basic tenets of Reformed theology.
http://thirdmill.org/seminary/course.asp/vs/byt
Forum 2:
Exploring Christian Theology
. Q&A on
Lesson 2
Length
10-12 pages
Why can
it be hard to define “Christian theology”? As you survey
Christian theology,
why is it
important to maintain a balanced perspective regarding
theological unity
and
diversity? How can self-awareness and awareness of
others impact and affect your theological traditions?
What implications does the theological unity of all
believers have for the way you view and interact with
other branches of the church? What are the
emphases of your tradition? What are the strengths and
weaknesses of these emphases? How might you change your
emphases to counter these weaknesses without losing the
strengths?
Assignment #3
http://thirdmill.org/seminary/course.asp/vs/byt
Lesson
#3: Relying on Revelation
.
Explores what the Scriptures teach about revelation, the
dynamics of understanding revelation, and how to develop
confidence in theological conclusions.
http://thirdmill.org/seminary/course.asp/vs/byt
Forum 3:
Relying on Revelation
. Q&A on
Lesson 3
Length
10-12 pages
Why is
it important to derive your theology from revelation?
How does sin hinder your understanding of God’s general
and special revelation? How does the Holy Spirit help
you understand God’s special and general revelation? How
might your understanding of God through general
revelation draw your closer to him? How does it make you
feel knowing that sin still works within us to suppress
and skew much of God’s revelation? What hope does the
Holy Spirit bring? How can we guard against theological
errors caused by the noetic effects of sin? What beliefs
do you hold with the most confidence? What beliefs do you
hold with very little confidence? Why do you assign
these levels of confidence to these particular beliefs?
Assignment #4
http://thirdmill.org/seminary/course.asp/vs/byt
Lesson 4:
Authority in Theology
.
Summarizes the outlooks on theological authority in the
Medieval Roman Catholic Church, the early Protestant
church and in contemporary Protestantism.
http://thirdmill.org/seminary/course.asp/vs/byt
Forum 4:
Authority in Theology
. Q&A on Lesson 4
Length
10-12 pages
The
writings of the early church fathers have influenced the
church throughout its history. Is this good or bad?
Should modern theology seek to move past these primitive
views? Or should we rely strongly on the wisdom of those
who have gone before us? In what ways has this study
helped you understand the historical controversy between
Catholics and Protestants? What are some practical ways
we can observe the principle of “always reforming” in
the modern church? What are some areas in your own
church that need to be reformed? What are the dangers of
Traditionalism and Biblicism? Have you seen these
extremes in the church today? There were several
“extreme” positions mentioned in this lesson. Did any of
them describe your own approach to theology? Which ones?
What practical steps might you take to adopt more
responsible perspectives?
Assignment #5
Readings:
http://amzn.to/L1J9lv
Foundational Truths forChristian Living: Everything you
need to know to live a balanced, Spirit-filled life
(Parts
I-IV)
Length
10-12 pages
Throughout the course so far, you’ve examined different
positions and perspectives on theology. However, a
Spirit-filled and a Spirit-empowered life is essential
to living an authentic Christian life. How can the
Spirit-filled and Spirit-empowered life make theology
relevant? Without the power of the Holy Spirit, why is
it dangerous to even attempt to build your theology? In
what ways does the Holy Spirit maketheology applicable
to life and practical for life? In what ways do you want
to grow in a deeper relationship with the Lord so that
your theology is seen as living and real to the world
around you? How will your experience help others in
their search for a relationship with the Lord?
Assignment #6
Readings:
http://amzn.to/L1J9lv
Foundational Truths forChristian Living: Everything you
need to know to live a balanced, Spirit-filled life
(Parts
V-VII)
Length
10-12 pages
How do
the gifts of theHoly Spirit empower you to be a vessel
for the Lord in this world? What hasbeen your experience
so far? As we mentioned already, a Spirit-filled and
aSpirit-empowered life is essential to living an
authentic Christian life. How can living as a true
vessel of God be attractive to others who are searching
for the truth? How can living as a true vessel of God
help you avoid hypocrisy?Discuss how the Lord is
revealing Himself to you in the way that He wants to use
you for His purpose. Discuss how the Lord’s purpose for
your life is an expression of your intimate relationship
with Him.
Assignment #7
Readings:
http://amzn.to/MdMGCS
You
Matter to God: Discovering Your True Value and Identity
in God’s Eyes
Length
10-12 pages
You
matter to God and discovering your true value and
identity in God’s eyes has a great impact on your
theology. How has understanding your true value and
identity in God shaped your theology? Has this been
difficult for you? Why or why not? Why is it so
important for you to know your true value and identity
in God? In what ways do you need to continue to grow in
this area? In what ways has your own relationship with
God affected those around you? As you grow in these
areas, what impact do see these areas having on the
calling and ministry God has given you?
Assignment #8
Final
Paper
Length
15-20 pages
What has
the Lord revealed to you in this course? Explain how you
gained a greater understanding of Building Your
Theology. As your final project, consider the ministry
that God has called you to and the gifts he has anointed
you with to fulfill His purpose. With this mind, design
the ministry vision based on your understanding of
Building Your Theology that you believe God’s is giving
to you. That is, write down and use any form of media
(audio, video, PowerPoint, etc.) that you choose to
describe the vision that God has put in your heart. What
specifictype of work do you see that Lord is calling you
or has called you to? Has the Lord given you a plan to
carry this vision out? If so, how? How does your
understanding of Building Your Theology help you gain
more clarity regarding God’s call on your life?
Consider
all the material you observed in this course and focus
on those issues that are close to your heart.
Also,
make use of the bibliography resources in your texts as
they make excellent references for guided research.
Make use
of the ACU Online Resource Center. There are many great
resources there to help you.
Assignments that MUST BE SUBMITTED to Your Instructor
for Grading
YOU WILL
NOT RECEIVE A GRADE FOR THE COURSE OR BE CREDITED AS
COMPLETING THE COURSE UNTIL ALL OF THESE ASSIGNMENTS
HAVE BEEN RECEIVED AND GRADED BY YOUR INSTRUCTOR:
Assignment #1
Assignment #2
Assignment #3
Assignment #4
Assignment #5
Assignment #6
Assignment #7
Assignment #8-Final Paper
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