Overview of Wesley's Order of Salvation
Pneumatology Lecture Notes Session 1
Pneumatology Lecture Notes Session 2
Pneumatology Lecture Notes Session 3
Sanctification Lecture Notes
Eschatology Lecture Notes Session 1
Eschatology Lecture Notes Session 2
Eschatology Lecture Notes Session 3
THE-3033 Systematic Theology II
Anaheim District Ministerial Training Center
PROFESSOR: Dr. Mike Boswith
COURSE THE-3033: 3 Semester Hours Credit
PHONE: Wk 714-847-3050
LOCATION: Anaheim District Office 524 E. Chapman Ave., Orange CA 92866
TIME: Thursday 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM January 10, 2002 through March 14, 2002
COURSE DESCRIPTION
A systematic study of the Christian faith with emphasis on the doctrines of salvation, the person and work of the Holy Spirit, the Church, and the Second Coming of Christ. Related areas covered will be the way of salvation, the life of holiness, the nature of ministry, and the sacraments. Classical categories of Pneumatology, Ecclesiology, and Eschatology, will be explored.
Prerequisites: Exploring Christina Holiness and Systematic Theology I.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The following are competencies for Ordination Course of Study which are achieved by this course:
1. Ability to describe the major theological concepts of the Old Testament. (CN-7)
2. Ability to identify and describe the major theological concepts of the New Testament. (CN-14)
3. Ability to identify and explain the main characteristics of the nature of: God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Human Person, Sin, Salvation, the Christian Life, the Church and Sacraments, and Eschatology. (CN-19)
4. Ability to reflect theologically on life and ministry. (CN-20)
5. Ability to demonstrate understanding of the sources of theological reflection, its historical develop-ment, and its contemporary expressions. (CN-21)
6. Ability to articulate the distinctive characteristics of Wesleyan theology. (CN-22)
7. Ability to envision, order, participate, and lead in contextualized theologically-grounded worship. (CP-17)
COURSE PROFESSOR
Dr. Mike Boswith: Psy.D., American Behavioral Studies Institute, 2000; MA (Theology), Trevecca Nazarene University, 1989; BA (Religious Studies), Trevecca Nazarene University, 1985; AS (Physical Science), University of the State of New York Regents, 1982. Pastor, Church of the Nazarene, 1988-Present, Associate Pastor, Church of the Nazarene 1985-1988. United States Navy, 1976-1983
COURSE TEXTBOOKS
1. Holy Bible (version of your choice).
2. Dunning, H. Ray. Grace, Faith, and Holiness: A Wesleyan Systematic Theology. Kansas City,
MO: Beacon Hill Press, 1988.
3. Wiley, H. Orton and Culbertson, Paul T. Introduction to Christian Theology. Kansas City, MO:
Beacon Hill Press, 1946
FURTHER READING:
1. Drury, Keith, Holiness: For Ordinary People. Marion, Indiana, The Wesley Press, 1985.
2. Dunning, H. Ray, Sanctification: A Layman’s Guide. Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill
Press, 1991.
3. Dunning, H. Ray, The Second Coming: A Wesleyan Approach to the Doctrine of Last
Things. Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press, 1995.
4. Greathouse, William M. and Dunning, H. Ray, An Introduction To Wesleyan Theology.
Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press, 1982
5. Greathouse, William M., Wholeness in Christ: Toward a Biblical Theology of Holiness.
Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press, 1998.
6. Grider, J. Kenneth, A Wesleyan‑Holiness Theology . Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill
Press, 1994.
7. Moore, Frank, More Coffee Shop Theology : Translating Doctrinal Jargon into Every
Day Life. Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press, 1998.
8. Staples, Rob L., Outward Sigh and Inward Grace. Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill
Press, 1991.
9. Williams, Colin W., John Wesley’s Theology Today, Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press,
1984.
SELECTED WEB SITES:
1. Wesley Center for Applied Theology (NNU) ‑‑ http://wesley.nnu.edu/
2. Wesleyan Theological Journal ‑ http://wesley.nnu.edu/theojrnl/
3. Wesleyan Studies - http://wesleyanstudies.org/
4. Methodist Archives & Research Centre - http://rylibweb.man.ac.uk/data1/dg/text/method.html
5. Wesleyan Studies For The 21st Century - http://www.ptloma.edu/wesleyan/
6. Keith Drury Writings (Wesleyan Church) ‑ http://www.indwes.edu/Tuesday/
7. Christian Classics Library ‑ http://www.ccel.org/
8. Christian Theology Research Fellowship ‑ home.apu.edu/~CTRF
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1. Five Big Ideas Outline: (5 points per session, 50 points total). Each class session you are to present five concepts from the reading (from Dunning and/or Wiley) that you found particularly interesting in their relation to living the Christian life. The presentation will include both oral discussion (in groups) and written. The written portion is to be in the form of an outline, no more than 2 pages in length and a copy distributed to all class participants (including the instructor) at the beginning of each class session. See example of “Five Big Ideas Outline.”
2. Statement of Belief paper: (20 Points). Explain the Church of the Nazarene Articles of Faith numbers 8, 9, 10, 11, 15 & 16 in no less than 3 pages and no more than 6 pages. (APA style, correct grammar, double-spaced, 12 font size.) Do not copy the Article into your paper! Imagine someone at church asks you to explain what Nazarenes believe about the specified articles. Simply yet accurately explain what the specified articles mean and how they relate to living the Christian life. Due at the beginning of Session 5
3. Research Paper: (30 points). Each student will write a theological research paper (no less than 10 pages and no more than 15, APA style, correct grammar, double-spaced, 12 font size.) on one of the following topics: Sin in Believers, Christian Perfection, Wesleyan Spiritual Direction, Evidences of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, The Gifts of the Spirit, Making Morally Correct Decisions, The Wesleyan Way of Worship, Women As Senior Pastors, Compare and Contrast Wesleyan Eschatology with Dispensational Eschatology, or Eternal Destinations.
Due at the beginning of Session 9.
COURSE GRADING SYSTEM
Final grades will be determined by a point system based on the course assignments.
90 points and above A
80 to 89 points B
70 to 79 points C
60 to 69 points D (No credits are transferred; see instructor.)
Five Big Ideas Outline
(Example)
Dunning, H. Ray, Grace, Faith, and Holiness, “The Nature and Scope of Theology”
I. Theology is disciplined thinking about God and Man. (p.25)
A. Theology means “God-thoughts” or “reasoning about God.” or the Divine-human
relationship.
B. Everyone does theology from time to time.
The question becomes “Am I a good theologian or a poor theologian?”
C. Impact on living: My task an ambassador of God (2 Cor. 5:18 & Ephesians. 6:20) is
represent God to others. It’s very important then that I am a good theologian; that
I understand what I believe, why I believe it and can communicate this knowledge simply to others.
II. Systematic theology involves “ordered elucidation” of one’s thinking about God, which must be related to real life, i.e. “contempraneity.” (p. 36)
A. “Theology is seeking to answer the questions that are being asked in a given age and
bring the Word of God to bear on the ethos of the generation.” (p. 38)
1. Good theology will relate to people, it will answer the questions they are
asking.
B. “There is an interrelatedness that characterizes every particular doctrine so that every
doctrine requires every other doctrine.” (p. 29)
1. If theology is not systematic it often winds up being “Sievematic,” i.e., it wont
hold water.
C. A systematic theology must be comprehensive.
1. This flies in the face of postmodernistic thought as good systematic theology
is a metanarrative.
D. Impact on Living: Good systematic theology informs all my ministry endeavors,
which ultimately will involve meeting the needs of others. It creates a frame of reference like prescription eyeglasses that puts the multitude of life experiences in a comprehensible focus.
III. The Bible is not the norm for theology!
A. “One has only to recall the immensely varied and erratic views propounded by
different sects all claiming to base themselves solely on the teaching of the Bible to
recognize how important it is that ‘something more’ be brought out full into the open as
an explicit element of critical theological work.” (p. 46)
1. Everyone interprets the Bible with the help of some norm.
a. Being aware of the norm is one step in distinguishing a good theologian
from a poor one.
b. Norms are interpretive tools, the Bible contains the facts to be
interpreted . (p. 46)
B. Impact on Living: I must understand the norm that I use to interpret Scripture if I am
going to be able to correctly handle the Word of truth. (2 Tim. 2:15) “A norm provides
the basis for meaningful discussion within a given context.” (p. 51)
IV. The theological norm for Nazarenes is “justification by faith/sanctification by faith seen in the context of prevenient grace.” (p. 47)
A. The primary metaphor in biblical thought for describing the restored relationship
between God and man is “reconciliation.” (p. 47 fn)
1. The norm then is reconciliation in a Christological framework.
2. This is also position is also called Wesleyan.
B. Impact on Living: By declaring myself to be Wesleyan is much more than telling
people the kind of church I attend. By adopting a Wesleyan Worldview I seek to interpret
all of life through this paradigm.
V. “Theology partakes of the character of opinion.” (P.53)
A. Impact on Living: Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion no matter how right
or wrong it may be. Theological discussions should be open to hearing what others have
to say. I need to make sure that my opinions are grounded in Scripture, Tradition, Reason and Experience.
Statement of Belief Paper on the Following Articles of Faith
VIII. Repentance
8. We believe that repentance, which is a sincere and thorough change of the mind in regard to sin, involving a sense of personal guilt and a voluntary turning away from sin, is demanded of all who have by act or purpose become sinners against God. The Spirit of God gives to all who will repent the gracious help of penitence of heart and hope of mercy, that they may believe unto pardon and spiritual life.
(2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalms 32:5-6; 51:1-17; Isaiah 55:6-7; Jeremiah 3:12-14; Ezekiel 18:30-32; 33:14-16; Mark 1:14-15; Luke 3:1-14; 13:1-5; 18:9-14; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 5:31; 17:30-31; 26:16-18; Romans 2:4; 2 Corinthians 7:8-11; 1 Thessalonians 1:9; 2 Peter 3:9)
IX. Justification, Regeneration, and Adoption
9. We believe that
justification is the gracious and judicial act of God by which He grants full
pardon of all guilt and complete release from the penalty of sins committed, and
acceptance as righteous, to all who believe on Jesus Christ and receive Him as
Lord and Savior.
10. We believe that
regeneration, or the new birth, is that gracious work of God whereby the moral
nature of the repentant believer is spiritually quickened and given a
distinctively spiritual life, capable of faith, love, and obedience.
11. We believe that
adoption is that gracious act of God by which the justified and regenerated
believer is constituted a son of God.
12. We believe that justification, regeneration, and adoption are simultaneous in the experience of seekers after God and are obtained upon the condition of faith, preceded by repentance; and that to this work and state of grace the Holy Spirit bears witness.
(Luke 18:14; John 1:12-13; 3:3-8; 5:24; Acts 13:39; Romans 1:17; 3:21-26, 28; 4:5-9, 17-25; 5:1, 16-19; 6:4; 7:6; 8:1, 15-17; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 6:11; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Galatians 2:16-21; 3:1-14, 26; 4:4-7; Ephesians 1:6-7; 2:1, 4-5; Philippians 3:3-9; Colossians 2:13; Titus 3:4-7; 1 Peter 1:23; 1 John 1:9; 3:1-2, 9; 4:7; 5:1, 9-13, 18)
X. Entire Sanctification
13. We believe that entire
sanctification is that act of God, subsequent to regeneration, by which
believers are made free from original sin, or depravity, and brought into a
state of entire devotement to God, and the holy obedience of love made perfect.
It is wrought by the
baptism with the Holy Spirit, and comprehends in one experience the cleansing of
the heart from sin and the abiding, indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit,
empowering the believer for life and service.
Entire sanctification is
provided by the blood of Jesus, is wrought instantaneously by faith, preceded by
entire consecration; and to this work and state of grace the Holy Spirit bears
witness.
This experience is also
known by various terms representing its different phases, such as "Christian
perfection," "perfect love," "heart purity," "the baptism with the Holy Spirit,"
"the fullness of the blessing," and "Christian holiness."
14. We believe that there
is a marked distinction between a pure heart and a mature character. The former
is obtained in an instant, the result of entire sanctification; the latter is
the result of growth in grace.
We believe that the grace of entire sanctification includes the impulse to grow in grace. However, this impulse must be consciously nurtured, and careful attention given to the requisites and processes of spiritual development and improvement in Christlikeness of character and personality. Without such purposeful endeavor one's witness may be impaired and the grace itself frustrated and ultimately lost.
(Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel
36:25-27; Malachi 3:2-3; Matthew 3:11-12; Luke 3:16-17; John 7:37-39; 14:15-23;
17:6-20; Acts 1:5; 2:1-4; 15:8-9; Romans 6:11-13, 19; 8:1-4, 8-14; 12:1-2; 2
Corinthians 6:14-7:1; Galatians 2:20; 5:16-25; Ephesians 3:14-21; 5:17-18,
25-27; Philippians 3:10-15; Colossians 3:1-17; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; Hebrews
4:9-11; 10:10-17; 12:1-2; 13:12; 1 John 1:7, 9)
("Christian perfection," "perfect love": Deuteronomy 30:6; Matthew 5:43-48;
22:37-40; Romans 12:9-21; 13:8-10; 1 Corinthians 13; Philippians 3:10-15;
Hebrews 6:1; 1 John 4:17-18
"Heart purity": Matthew 5:8; Acts 15:8-9; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 3:3
"Baptism with the Holy Spirit": Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:25-27; Malachi
3:2-3; Matthew 3:11-12; Luke 3:16-17; Acts 1:5; 2:1-4; 15:8-9
"Fullness of the blessing": Romans 15:29
"Christian holiness": Matthew 5:1-7:29; John 15:1-11; Romans 12:1-15:3; 2
Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 4:17-5:20; Philippians 1:9-11; 3:12-15; Colossians
2:20-3:17; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 4:7-8; 5:23; 2 Timothy 2:19-22; Hebrews
10:19-25; 12:14; 13:20-21; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 2 Peter 1:1-11; 3:18; Jude 20-21)
XI. The Church
15. We believe in the
Church, the community that confesses Jesus Christ as Lord, the covenant people
of God made new in Christ, the Body of Christ called together by the Holy Spirit
through the Word.
God calls the Church to
express its life in the unity and fellowship of the Spirit; in worship through
the preaching of the Word, observance of the sacraments, and ministry in His
name; by obedience to Christ and mutual accountability.
The mission of the Church
in the world is to continue the redemptive work of Christ in the power of the
Spirit through holy living, evangelism, discipleship, and service.
The Church is a historical reality, which organizes itself in culturally conditioned forms; exists both as local congregations and as a universal body; sets apart persons called of God for specific ministries. God calls the Church to live under His rule in anticipation of the consummation at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(Exodus 19:3; Jeremiah 31:33; Matthew 8:11; 10:7; 16:13-19, 24; 18:15-20; 28:19-20; John 17:14-26; 20:21-23; Acts 1:7-8; 2:32-47; 6:1-2; 13:1; 14:23; Romans 2:28-29; 4:16; 10:9-15; 11:13-32; 12:1-8; 15:1-3; 1 Corinthians 3:5-9; 7:17; 11:1, 17-33; 12:3, 12-31; 14:26-40; 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:1; Galatians 5:6, 13-14; 6:1-5, 15; Ephesians 4:1-17; 5:25-27; Philippians 2:1-16; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12; 1 Timothy 4:13; Hebrews 10:19-25; 1 Peter 1:1-2, 13; 2:4-12, 21; 4:1-2, 10-11; 1 John 4:17; Jude 24; Revelation 5:9-10)
XV. Second Coming of Christ
19. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ will come again; that we who are alive at His coming shall not precede them that are asleep in Christ Jesus; but that, if we are abiding in Him, we shall be caught up with the risen saints to meet the Lord in the air, so that we shall ever be with the Lord.
(Matthew 25:31-46; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 9:26-28; 2 Peter 3:3-15; Revelation 1:7-8; 22:7-20)
XVI. Resurrection, Judgment, and Destiny
20. We believe in the
resurrection of the dead, that the bodies both of the just and of the unjust
shall be raised to life and united with their spirits-"they that have done good,
unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the
resurrection of damnation."
21. We believe in future
judgment in which every person shall appear before God to be judged according to
his or her deeds in this life.
22. We believe that glorious and everlasting life is assured to all who savingly believe in, and obediently follow, Jesus Christ our Lord; and that the finally impenitent shall suffer eternally in hell.
(Genesis 18:25; 1 Samuel 2:10; Psalm 50:6; Isaiah 26:19; Daniel 12:2-3; Matthew 25:31-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-31; 20:27-38; John 3:16-18; 5:25-29; 11:21-27; Acts 17:30-31; Romans 2:1-16; 14:7-12; 1 Corinthians 15:12-58; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10; Revelation 20:11-15; 22:1-15)
Theological Research Paper
The purpose of this assignment is to wear the hat of a systematic theologian and clearly defend, articulate, and apply the truth of doctrine or theological idea you have selected. Theology does not invent beliefs, it finds beliefs already among Christians via the Scripture, Tradition and Reason and critically examines them for validity.
Topics:
Sin in Believers
Christian Perfection
Wesleyan Spiritual Direction--How to move a person through the normative Christian Experience
Evidences of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit--Assurance of Salvation
The Gifts of the Spirit--Uses and Abuses
Making Morally Correct Decisions
The Wesleyan Way of Worship
Women As Senior Pastors
Compare and Contrast Wesleyan Eschatology with Dispensational Eschatology
Eternal Destinations
Component Parts of the Paper
Introduction: Since theology is largely a challenge response to a given situation you must creatively formulate a vignette to introduce your topic. (see vignettes in the syllabus for examples). This will involve formulating a specific question concerning the topic of your choice.
Response: After the question is presented you must answer it. In this section you may have to sharply define the question so that your paper is not too broad in scope. Your answer is to stay in the vignette and should communicate sound Biblical teaching.
Support: You are to move out of the vignette and state the theological reason or principle for your answer. This task is accomplished by examining.
A. Scripture -- In this section you will summarize what the Scripture teaches
about your particular position. (note: Do not proof text, a sound exegesis of the Scriptures selected should inform your answer.)
B. Tradition -- In this section you will summarize what other Christian thinkers
have concluded about your particular position. (note: You will do well to present both compatible and contrasting viewpoints.)
In addition you may include “secular” information to support your response.
Conclusion: In this section you are to briefly summarize your position and explain its relevancy to the Christian life. (Now that we know your answer, what is its importance to the Christian journey.)
Overview
In brief you are to choose a topic, propose a question related to that topic, answer your question, tell me why your answer is correct, explain it relevancy to real life.
COURSE SCHEDULE/OUTLINE
Session 1 Introduction to the Class
The Normative Christian Experience
Session 2 Pneumatology
Reading: Dunning--Chapter 13
Wiley--Chapter 14
Session 3 Pneumatology (cont.)
Reading: Dunning--Chapter 14
Wiley--Chapter15&16
Session 4 Sanctification
Reading: Wiley--Chapter 17 & 18
Session 5 Sanctification (cont.)
Reading: Dunning--Chapter 15
Statement of Belief Paper Due
Session 6 Ethics
Reading: Wiley--Chapter 19
Session 7 Ecclesiology
Reading: Dunning--Chapter 16
Wiley--Chapter 20
Dunning--Chapter 17
Session 8 Eschatology
Reading: Wiley--Chapter 21 & 22
Session 9 Eschatology (cont.)
Reading: Dunning --Appendix 1
Research Paper Due