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THS 503 THEOLOGY 2: THE SPIRIT, CHURCH & LAST THINGS About Lecturer An ordained minister of the Evangelical Church Alliance (USA), Rev. Dr. Lewis Winkler has been a staff member of Campus Crusade for Christ since 1987. He served for six years in the campus ministry at Kansas State University. For four years he did pastoral ministry through a local church, teaching and discipling high school youth, providing leadership in adult education ministries, and preaching and teaching in the church. Lewis was part of a church plant team and a lecturer of systematic theology at the International School of Theology for five years. He has been a visiting teacher at BIOLA University (USA) and is a lecturer with the International School of Leadership providing leadership development for Christian leaders around the world. Rev. Dr. Winkler and his wife Barbara have three children. Academic Year : 2009/10, 3rd Quarter (Jan 25 – Apr 30, 2010) : Mondays & Thursdays, 11.10 – 1.00 pm Mar 1, 22, 25, 29 Apr 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22 Final Exam & Assignment due on Apr 28 1, Dorset Road, Singapore 219486. Tel: 6291-9744 Class Description This class examines the doctrine of the Holy Spirit, his nature and activities. It also looks at the nature, purpose and function of the church, including ordinances and forms of government, along with various interpretations of the biblical teaching concerning the Second Coming of Christ and related topics. Class Pre-requisites None Objectives By the completion of this class you should be able to: 1. Explain three different levels of belief (conviction, persuasion and opinion) and be able to place various doctrines into their respective levels. 2. Explain the major doctrinal concepts that relate to the Holy Spirit, the church and the 3. Define and explain the theological significance of a basic set of theological and biblical words that relate to the Holy Spirit, the church, and the end of the age. 4. List and interpret a basic set of passages related to the Holy Spirit, the church, and the THS 503 Theology 2: The Spirit, Church & Last Things 5. Explain the nature, work and significance of the Holy Spirit. 6. Demonstrate a biblical understanding of the nature, purpose and function of the church. 7. Explain and defend your own view concerning church ordinances, government and styles in the light of scripture, history and other possible perspectives. 8. Explain the major theological debates concerning the end of the age and demonstrate the ability to identify and emphasize the most important themes, purposes and truths which surround biblical discussions on the end of the age. 9. Apply insight from the study of these subjects to your personal life and ministry in the Class Expectations 1. That you would attend all lectures and seek to get the most from the course. 2. That you would be on time and prepared for class discussion and interaction. 3. That you would ask questions and actively participate in class discussions and interaction times in order to deepen your understanding of the material. 4. That you would strive to do your best on all class assignments. 5. That you would trust God to help you apply this class in your life and ministry. Textbook Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994. Class Schedule (January 25-April 30, 2010) Unless otherwise noted, classes meet every Monday and Thursday, 11:10 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Date The History of the Doctrine of the Holy Spirit The Deity and Personhood of the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit in the OT, Christ and the End Times The Coming of the Holy Spirit and His Present Work The Gifting of the Holy Spirit and Spiritual Gifts, Part I The Gifting of the Holy Spirit and Spiritual Gifts, Part II The Emergence of the New Testament Church The Historical Development of the Church The Relationship of the Church and State The Relationship of the Church and Parachurch THS 503 Theology 2: The Spirit, Church & Last Things 4, 8, 11 Mar. Special Days Off 13-21 Mar. The Role of Women in the Church, Part II The Functions of the Church: Worship and Edification The Functions of the Church: Accountability and Discipline Chapter 46 The Alternatives for the Church: Styles and Contextualization The Challenges of the Church: Within and Without Historical Overview of the Last Things, Part I Historical Overview of the Last Things, Part II OT Prophecy, the Last Things and God’s Plan, Part I OT Prophecy, the Last Things and God’s Plan, Part II Interpreting Key Passages on the Last Things, Part I Interpreting Key Passages on the Last Things, Part II The Tribulation and Rapture of the Church The Resurrection, Intermediate and Eternal State Course Requirements (Total 65 hours) 1. Reading of Grudem’s Systematic Theology: Read the chapters by the class time on the dates indicated, and be prepared to discuss the content of the text. Reading Report: DUE: April 28 There will be no testing of reading assignments. Instead, you will keep a reading report to show whether or not you read the assigned chapters and whether they were read on time or not. On time means that they were read prior to the class session for which they were assigned. Reading the chapters late receives half credit for that assignment. DUE: March 22 Write a 5-7 page paper on one of the following topics below or on a subject of personal interest agreed upon by the instructor. In your paper, be sure to follow Turabian’s Handbook for matters of style. See the attached notes below for some help concerning style in writing papers. Be sure to read and follow these notes since part of your grade will be on your style. You may use footnotes, or endnotes, but only use one and not both. Also, you may have more, but you must have a minimum of five resources, and of these, only one can be an internet resource. The rest must be either books or THS 503 Theology 2: The Spirit, Church & Last Things articles from EAST’s library, some other theological library, or your own personal collection. PLEASE NOTE: If English is not your first language please have Sylvia or another native English speaker read and help you with the language of your paper. HOLY SPIRIT OPTIONS: 1. HISTORICAL SURVEY: Pick a distinct period in history and explore the ways the Holy Spirit was understood and taught in the church during that time. Using relevant passages of scripture critique these teachings according to your own understanding of the Spirit’s identity and role in the life of the church and world today. 2. VIEWS ON THE APPROPRIATE EXERCISE OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS: Using the passage from 1 Corinthians 12-14, analyze and explain what the Bible has to say about the appropriate use of spiritual gifts, and then compare and contrast this with the ways in which these gifts are currently understood and being used in charismatic and Pentecostal churches today. 3. HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM AND FULLNESS: Write a paper discussing the current debate about what Spirit Baptism really is and how it is related (or not related) to being filled with the Holy Spirit. Using relevant passages of scripture thoughtfully explain and defend your own view on the subject. 4. EXEGETICAL PAPER: If you have had Greek you may choose a passage of scripture (approximately two-three verses long) that speaks in some important way about the Holy Spirit. Write an exegetical paper examining the language, grammar, structure and meaning of the Greek text and how it contributes to our understanding of the Holy Spirit for today. 5. CHOOSE YOUR OWN TOPIC: (Subject to instructor approval) If you have a topic concerning the Holy Spirit not mentioned here that you would like to write about, please discuss it with me for approval first. CHURCH OPTIONS: 1. CHURCH STRUCTURE: Explore and analyze the various passages and historical precedents used by different denominations to justify their leadership structure. What are some of the possible ministerial implications present within these different governmental structures? For example, how might the Presbyterian (versus, say, Congregational or Episcopal) structure influence lay involvement and pastoral responsibility? 2. BASIS FOR CHURCH UNITY: Explore the question of the church’s basis for unity. At what point is it appropriate to separate from others who call themselves Christians? When is not appropriate? What are the criteria for determining appropriateness? Try to survey the various ways that this question has been answered before and then provide your own answer to the question. 3. WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP: Write a paper concerning the controversy of women in church leadership. Is this a debate in evangelical as well as less conservative circles? Why or why not? Include the relevant scriptures with the various views on this issue. THS 503 Theology 2: The Spirit, Church & Last Things 4. EXEGETICAL PAPER: If you have had Greek you may choose a passage of scripture (approximately two-three verses long) that speaks in some important way about the church. Write an exegetical paper examining the language, grammar, structure and meaning of the Greek text and how it contributes to our understanding of the church for today. 5. CHOOSE YOUR OWN TOPIC: (Subject to instructor approval) If you have a topic concerning the church not mentioned here that you would like to write about, please discuss it with me for approval first. END TIMES OPTIONS: 1. PASSAGE PAPER: Write a paper discussing primarily the prophetic significance of one of the passages listed below. Explain how people from different theological perspectives will differ in their interpretations of the passage (if there are differences). What are the problems of interpretation that the various views have with the passage? (If you have studied the original language of the passage, reflect your knowledge of the language in your paper.) Daniel 7, 8 Matthew 24 Zechariah 12 & 14 Romans 11 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 Revelation 13, 20 Revelation 19-21 2. FICTION ANALYSIS: Critique and analyze the popular “Left Behind” series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. What eschatological assumptions do they make in these books? Where do you think that they take “literary license” and where are they true to the scriptures? What advice would you give to the Christian who has read or wants to read the series? To the non-Christian? 3. MINISTERIAL IMPACT: Discuss the potential impact various end-time views might have upon people’s ministry priorities. For example, how might an amillennial view (versus a premillennial or postmillennial view) of Christ’s reign upon the earth make a difference in how Christians spend their time and live out their lives? What about views of the rapture in premillennial thought? Might these make a difference as well? How? What does the Bible itself say about the purpose of Christ’s return and its meaning for believers? 4. CHOOSE YOUR OWN TOPIC: (Subject to instructor approval) If you have a topic concerning the end times not mentioned here that you would like to write about, please discuss it with me for approval first. DUE: April 15 Choose from one of the following options or you may come up with your own idea (subject to instructor’s approval). THS 503 Theology 2: The Spirit, Church & Last Things 1. SPEECH OR LECTURE: Research and prepare a sermon, speech or lecture on some aspect of the Holy Spirit, church, or end times. Give the talk to an actual group of eight or more. Following the talk, you must receive a 15-30 minute evaluation by two evaluators: (1) an EAST faculty member or student and (2) your ministry team leader, pastoral supervisor or other member of your church’s pastoral staff. Ideally, both evaluators should be present, but if this is not possible, one of them may listen to the talk via audio or video tape. On the due date, you must turn in your speech/sermon notes, three written evaluations: your own, and one from each evaluator. If the evaluations were written and the speech was given in a language other than English, please include a translation of these for my sake. NOTE: you may choose this option only if you have the time and place for the talk confirmed prior to March 25th. The time, place and topic of your talk must be indicated on your choice-of-project sheet. 2. MINISTERIAL INTERVIEWS: Graciously interview three ordained ministers from denominations which are generally non-evangelical. Ask them to share with you their views on one of the three doctrines (Holy Spirit, church, or end times) covered in this class. Turn in a report on each of the three interviews along with a biblical evaluation and some thoughts on how you might proceed to share with this person concerning your own views and the reasons you have for them. 3. CHURCH LEADERSHIP SURVEY: Spend time studying Ephesians 4:11-16. (Use your Greek if you have studied Greek, otherwise use commentaries.) Questions for you to think through in your study include: Are there 4 or 5 groups of people mentioned in v.11? Why? Who is supposed to do the equipping of the saints? The work of service? The building up the body of Christ? (v.12). Why did you answer as you did? In light of your study, spend at least 5 hours interacting with people related to your church or ministry (pastors, board members, lay people, student leaders, fellow church members). Discuss how the church today might better fulfill the ideal functioning of the church as seen in the passage. Write up what you did by way of interaction with each of the people, and give recommendations as to the changes that would be good for the church to make it to be more effective. (You will be graded on the thoughtfulness and quality of your interaction as reflected in your paper.) 4. DOCTRINAL QUESTIONNAIRE: Design, write and take a ten-twelve question survey relating to the doctrine(s) of the Holy Spirit, the church and/or the end times. If you choose to cover all of them, not more than four of the questions can pertain to any given area. Take the survey with one of the following groups: a) At least 10 people who are a part of a group (family, college campus, community, workplace, etc.) that you are seeking to be a witness to. Use the opportunity either evangelistically or pre-evangelistically. b) At least 10 people (individually or in a group) that you are already discipling and/or teaching. Use it as a tool to help further their understanding of the THS 503 Theology 2: The Spirit, Church & Last Things three (or fewer) areas studied in this class. When you are finished, submit the surveys, a 2-3 page written summary of the results of the surveys, including your own evaluation of the experience and what you might have done differently if you were to do it again. If the surveys are in a language other than English, please include a translation of all materials. 5. GUIDED DISCUSSION: Research and prepare a guided discussion on some aspect of the Holy Spirit, church, or end times. Then lead a 30-60 minute discussion with an actual group of 3-15 people (not counting you). After the discussion, you must receive a 15-30 minute evaluation of how you led by two evaluators: (1) an EAST faculty member or student who is familiar with guided discussion methods and (2) one of the members of the group. On the due date of the project you must turn in your discussion notes and three written evaluations: yours, and one from each evaluator. If the discussion and evaluations are in a language other than English, please include an English translation. NOTE: you may choose this option only if you have the time and place for the discussion confirmed prior to March 25th. The time, place, and topic of your discussion must be indicated on your choice of project sheet. 6. CREATIVE PROPOSAL: (Subject to instructor approval) Be creative! Develop a proposal for a practical ministry project of your own design. It must meet three criteria: (1) it must involve ministry to individuals; (2) it must make use of something you have learned in this class; and (3) it must have a method of evaluation after you have accomplished your project. DATE: April 28 There will be a two-hour short-answer, matching, true-false, and multiple choice comprehensive final exam on April 28. A final exam study guide will be handed out on April 5 to help you study and prepare for it. Late Policy All late assignments are graded down 5% per class period, so make every effort to turn your work on time. Any exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis at the instructor’s discretion. THS 503 Theology 2: The Spirit, Church & Last Things

Source: http://east.edu.sg/files/2009/11/THS-503-Theology-2-18Jan10.pdf