Doctrine: Shape of the Course
- I. Prologue
Entrance exam (Google Doc preferred, PDF and even .docx okay)
Some images from Jesus (Matthew 13:44-47 RSV):
- "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net which was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind; when it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into vessels but threw away the bad."
- Let's think of this course as the field, the market, and the sea. What then is its prize?
- Units toward a degree?
Dues that allow more of a community (residential, athletic, musical, theatrical) experience?
A slightly improved talent stack for future personal, and/or societal, flourishing?
- An answer from Paul (Ephesians 4:7-16 RSV):
- Grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift ...
that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers,
to equip the saints for the work [of service],
for building up the body of Christ,
until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ;
so that we may no longer be children,
tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by [human] cunning....
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way
into him who is the head, into Christ,
from whom the whole body, joined and knit together ...
when each part is working properly,
makes bodily growth and upbuilds itself in love.
- Prayer
Vision
- II. Structure
- A trail, but also a route:
- The course honors your freedom/initiative to choose books and written exercises best suited to you.
Discuss these in book groups, live or online, in and out of class.
- Challenge packages adjust the course's challenge level to meet your different needs.
- Our flipped classroom allows 'active learning' during classtime and flexibility outside it.
- Recorded lectures are on YouTube as well as iTunes U (speed them up!).
Follow up during classtime with self-tests, and outside class with ungraded tests.
- Our schedule plots out the course's various tasks.
- Most develop their own applied theology projects.
Please schedule an office hour visit (one-on-one or with one's book group).
All take a graded midterm and final and an optional group oral exam.
- All of this aims to guide and encourage you along 'the Way,' or at least show it to you.
Grading reflects your overall performance and strengths.
