COVENANT

THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY DISTANCE LEARNING

God and His Word

Dr. Michael Williams

COVENANT THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY The Seminary of the Presbyterian Church in America

Covenant Theological Seminary, 12330 Conway Road, St. Louis, MO 63141 (314) 434-4044 Copyright 2006. All Rights Reserved

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ST200: God and His Word Professor: Dr. Michael Williams I. Course Description: An introduction to theology and hermeneutics, and a study of the doctrines of revelation, Scripture, and God. II. Course Goals: During the course the student will 1. develop an understanding of the nature of the Bible as a revelation of Gods character, historical action, redemptive purpose, and norm for faithful kingdom living; 2. develop an introductory appreciation for both the diversity and unity of Scripture within its covenantal orientation and kingdom trajectory; 3. become familiar with the science of biblical hermeneutics through a survey of hermeneutical issues and strategies; 4. be exposed to the biblical teaching concerning God and the churchs historical-theological reflection upon God 5. develop a greater personal understanding of the historical and personal nature of God, his providential care for his world and his personal fatherly and kingly relationship to us and the church 6. develop biblically informed, theologically sound, and historically shaped and tested convictions concerning the doctrines of God and revelation III. Course Objectives: By the end of the course the student will be able to 1. articulate and defend an evangelical understanding of the doctrine of Scripture as the inspired and inerrant Word of God; 2. show a growing confidence with and ability to read and interpret the Bible faithfully 3. describe the character and ways of the God of biblical revelation 4. compare a biblical understanding of God and his ways to alternative understandings, ancient and modern. We will pursue these goals and objectives through a number of means: 1. Theological interdisciplinary and synthetic course lectures and discussions, making use of exegetical, theological, and historical resources as they enlighten the issues under discussion 2. The reading of significant texts that introduce and develop the different elements of the course 3. Assessment of the students understanding and involvement via a series of written assignments IV. Texts: All students are required to read the following: Lesslie Newbign, Proper Confidence Al Wolters, Creation Regained Robert Peterson and Michael Williams, Why Im Not an Arminian Sandra Richter, The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry into the Old Testament

God and His Word

2006 Michael Williams & Covenant Seminary

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Michael Williams, Far as the Curse is Found Course/Content Outlines and Readings on the Portal
A good theological dictionary will prove to be an invaluable resource for your theological studies. I strongly suggest that you purchase at least two. Two of the better recent one volume general dictionaries are Walter Elwells Evangelical Dictionary of Theology (Baker, 2nd ed, 2001) and Sinclair Fergusons New Dictionary of Theology (IVP, 1988). In the fast few years similar dictionaries devoted specifically to biblical theology have appeared. Both Walter Elwells Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology (Baker, 1996) and Desmond Alexanders New Dictionary of Biblical Theology (IVP 2000) are useful tools. If you can purchase only two during you seminary years aim for the works from Baker. Both are superior to their counterparts from IVP. You might also find a dictionary of theological terms useful, especially if you are new to the study of theology. Grenz, Guretzki, and Nordling have produced Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms (IVP 1999).

V. Schedule Week 1

Reading and Assignment Schedule Lectures 1, 2, 3, 4 Title/Topic, Assignments Lecture 1 contains introductory course information. There is no corresponding outline for Lecture 1. Lectures 2-4: Theology and the Postmodern Context; Revelation Readings 1. Williams, Introduction to Theology; 2. Williams, Speaking the Gospel to Postmodern Ears. 3. Start reading Newbigin, Proper Confidence Newbigin, Proper Confidence 1. Ferguson How Does the Bible Look at Itself 2. Williams, Paradosis: Tradition 3. The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy 4. Start reading Wolters, Creation Regained Wolters, Creation Regained 1. Williams, Systematic Theology as a Biblical Discipline 2. Vanhoozer, Lost in Interpretation? 3. Silva, Contemporary Theories of Biblical Interpretation

Week 2 Week 3

5 6, 7, 8

Revelation Doctrine of Scripture

Week 4 Week 5

9, 10, 11 12, 13, 14

Biblical Storyline Biblical Storyline, Hermeneutics,

God and His Word

2006 Michael Williams & Covenant Seminary

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Week 6 Week 7 Week 8

15, 16, 17 18, 19 20, 21, 22

The Covenant Lord The Covenant Lord; Names, Roles, and Historical Acts; the Trinity. The Trinity; Systematic Survey of how God works in the world Survey of the Biblical Story

Week 9

23, 24

1. Course outline, pp. 31-42 2. Richter, Epic of Eden, chapters 1-6 1. Course outline, pp. 43-61 2. Richter, Epic of Eden, chapters 7-9 1. Why Im Not an Arminian, chaps. 2, 5, 6 2. Far as the Curse is Found, chaps. 1-5 Far as the Curse is Found, chaps 6-14

God and His Word

2006 Michael Williams & Covenant Seminary