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).
Important:
Ask the Holy Spirit to speak the truth of God to you
each time you do an assignment.
Assignment
#1
Lesson
1: What is Systematic Theology?
Compares New Testament theology with Systematic
theology, surveys historical developments, and explores
the values and dangers of Systematic theology.
Forum
1: What is Systematic Theology?
Q&A on Lesson 1
Length
10-12 pages
Describe
how Systematic Theology enhances and hinders the three
aspects of Christian Living. Describe how Systematic
Theology enhances and hinders the three aspects of
Interaction in Community. How can we successfully
navigate the dangers of Systematic Theology in order to
take advantage of its values? Why is it helpful to have
systematic theology in addition to the Bible itself?
What aspect of Systematic Theology helps you the most in
living the Christian life? What aspect of Systematic
Theology helps you the most in interaction in community?
What is the most significant insight you have learned
from this study? Why?
Assignment
#2
Lesson
2: Technical Terms in Systematics
Begins
with a general orientation toward technical terms,
explores the formation of technical terms as well as the
values and dangers of technical terms.
Forum
2: Technical Terms in Systematics
Q&A on Lesson 2
Length 10-12 pages
Describe how the
special language of systematic theology can both enhance
and hinder Christian living. Describe how technical
terms can both enhance and hinder interaction in
community. How can the principles “many terms can
describe one concept” and “one concept can describe many
terms” help you in your understanding and interpretation
of Scripture? What does the Great Commission (Matthew
28:18-20) imply about our use of extra-biblical
language? How can the use of biblical and extra-biblical
language aide our understanding of Scripture? How can
you, as student of theology, guard against the sin of
pride? How can terminological freedom and conceptual
conformity to Scripture enhance your ability to match
passages of Scripture to particular topics?
Assignment
#3
Lesson
3: Propositions in Systematics
Begins with a general orientation, explains the
formation of propositions as well as the values and
dangers of propositions.
Forum 3: Propositions in Systematics
Q&A on Lesson 3
Length
10-12 pages
Describe how
Christian living enhances and hinders the formation of
theological propositions. Describe how interaction in
community enhances and hinders the formation of
theological propositions. How does a better
understanding of the dangers of propositions in theology
help us benefit from propositions in theology? How can
the legitimate use and place of propositions throughout
history help you today in communicating the doctrines of
the Christian faith? How do you reconcile the use of
philosophy in the formation of systematics? How does
scriptural support help determine where to place your
beliefs on the “cone of certainty”? How does becoming
aware of fundamental theological propositions aide you
in becoming a more discerning follower of Christ?
Explain why it is important not only to get the facts
straight, but also to have the right morals and
emotions?
Assignment
#4
Lesson
4: Doctrines in Systematics
Begins with a general orientation, explains the
formation of doctrines as well as the values and dangers
of doctrines.
Forum
4: Doctrines in Systematics
Q&A on Lesson 4
Length
10-12 pages
Describe
the way in which doctrines are shaped by both positive
and negative goals. Explain how theological doctrines
both enhance and hinder Christian living. Explain how
theological doctrines both enhance and hinder
interaction in community.
Suppose a friend were to say to you, “Creeds and
catechisms have no authority because they are not found
in Scripture.” How would you respond to your friend? Why
is it important not to overemphasize God’s transcendence
or his immanence? Why is it important to remember our
finitude when seeking to understand theological
doctrines? Does your community give its attention mostly
to doctrine, personal religious experience or corporate
worship? How can you balance and appreciate the
different emphases within the body of Christ?
Assignment
#5
Readings:
The Community Life of
God: Seeing the Godhead As the Model for All
Relationships
by Milt Rodriguez
Length 10-12 pages
Throughout
different times of our life, we may have been taught
about the doctrine of the Trinity. Up to this point,
what have you come to understand about the Trinity? What
does it mean to you? Reconsider the truth that God is
not just a Person, but He’s actually a community or
fellowship. In what ways can your understanding of this
help you with building systematic theology? How is
knowing “God as a family, community or fellowship”
change the way you view relationships and God’s purpose
for your life and the ministry He’s called you to? How
does this impact your theology?
Assignment
#6
Readings:
Spiritual Theology: A
Systematic Study of the Christian Life by Simon Chan
Length 10-12 pages
Discuss the
Doctrine of God as the foundation of Christian
spirituality. How does this impact your understanding of
sin and human nature, the Church as the community of
saints, and the application to your prayer life? As a
whole, how does a systematic study of the Christian life
help you build a systematic theology that is truly
applicable to everyday life, the current culture you
live in and God’s call on your life?
Assignment
#7
Readings:
Revelation Knowledge-article by Andrew Wommack
Length
10-12 pages
Revelation
knowledge is so important for the times we live in as it
requires us to have a well-developed sense of
discernment. What part does revelation knowledge play in
building systematic theology? Why is revelation
knowledge essential for everything in our walk with God,
our life and purpose? Do you think that living by
revelation knowledge was God’s original intent for us?
Why or why not?
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 Systematic 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, create a project
based on your understanding of Building Systematic
Theology and how you would apply it to your area of
ministry. That is, write down and use any form of media
(audio, video, PowerPoint, etc.) that you choose to
describe the ideas that God has put in your heart. What
specific ways do you see that the Lord is showing you
about how to Build Systematic Theology and make it
practical? How does your understanding of Building
Systematic 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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