Syllabi

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CH 600 History of Methodism

Robert G. Tuttle

We will survey American Methodism from its beginnings to the present. The course materials focus on the theological, cultural, and institutional themes that shaped Methodism in America. The course especially highlights the spiritual, theological, and social aspects of Methodism's grand legacy. The evangelistic thrust, social concern, institutional development, and theological shifts noted in America between 1766 and the present will be seen against the backdrop not only of American political and cultural factors, but of the Methodist origins in England. If you have been a United Methodist very long, you already know some things about American Methodist history. For example, almost all United Methodists understand that Bishop Francis Asbury was an important person, even if they do not know exactly why he was so important. Also, you are probably already aware that nineteenth-century Methodism dominated the American religious landscape, in a time when Methodism was the most significant religious force in the nation's growth and development. Many know that Methodism founded a host of colleges, seminaries, and universities, some of which now rank among America's best schools (I attended two of them myself, Duke as an undergraduate and Garrett-Evangelical for seminary). The majority of United Methodists have some appreciation of the prominent place of the early circuit riders, camp meetings, and class meetings. Most United Methodists understand that their liturgy echoes many of the strains inherited from Anglican liturgy. Most Methodists have some awareness that Methodism uniquely combined formal and informal styles of worship. In light of all this, Methodism, like several of the so-called old-line churches are ripe for a reexamination of their heritages. We live in a time when many United Methodists want to know more about the legacy that is theirs. Obviously, a declining American Methodism does not mirror American Methodism in its original form. As stated above, by the middle of the nineteenth century, the Methodist Episcopal Church had become the largest and most influential of America's denominations. Indeed, at one time, Methodism's membership roles exceeded the combined membership roles of the rest of the nation's Protestant denominations. By the beginning of the twentieth century, however, American Methodism began to change directions. If you want to understand the original genius of American Methodism in order better to assess the present and more adequately to prepare for the future, this class will be a rewarding adventure. Since United Methodists cannot move into a challenging future without knowing their treasured past, the purpose of this course is to do just that.
DO 670 United Methodist Theology

Robert G. Tuttle

At Asbury Theological Seminary, there are four classes designed to meet the denominational requirements of The United Methodist Church for ordained ministry. They are DO 690 – John Wesley’s Theology Today; CH 600 – History of Methodism; PM 604 - United Methodist Polity; and this class DO 670 - United Methodist Theology. The purpose of this class is (1) to examine what constitutes United Methodist doctrine as well as its standards and norms, (2) to survey Methodist theology after John Wesley to the present with a special focus upon its American developments, (3) and to study a variety of theological perspectives existing presently within the denomination.
ME 636 World (Transcultural) Evangelism

Robert G. Tuttle

COURSE DESCRIPTION In an age of increasing mobility across cultural boundaries it becomes more and more necessary to understand the Christian faith from a global perspective. Several issues, therefore, will be addressed in this course. Primarily, how do we make decisions regarding that which is essential for Christian commitment across cultural lines? How do we detach ourselves from parts of our gospel understanding that may be culturally bound? How can we sensitize ourselves to issues than transcend cultural boundaries that might actually assist our communication of a relevant transcultural gospel?
MS 610 The Ministry of Evangelism

Robert G. Tuttle

COURSE DESCRIPTION The course equips students with contemporary models and strategies of personal, congregational, and world evangelization based on biblical, historical and cultural foundations. Attention will be given to recognizing the social, personal and spiritual needs of people and relating the gospel to such needs. Efforts will be made to develop an integrated Wesleyan model of evangelism bringing strategies and methods into closer harmony with God's ultimate purpose, the great commission, and the commandment of love. This is a basic course for all that seek to serve Christ and his Church with a global consciousness and a local effectiveness.
MS 610 The Ministry of Evangelism

Robert G. Tuttle

1. The Story of Evangelism, Robert Tuttle, Jr. (424 pp.). 2. Can We Talk?, Robert Tuttle, Jr. (110 pp.). 3. Turnaround Strategies for the Small Church, Ron Crandall (160 pp.). 4. Someone Out There Needs Me, Robert Tuttle, Jr. (a print out book available at the Bookstore).
MS 685 The Church Abroad: Turkey/Greece (with an extension to Rome)

Robert G. Tuttle

Course Description: The trip to Turkey and Greece will begin in Istanbul where we will be met by Ralph and Elaine Elliot, leaders in the church in Turkey where there are less than 3,000 Protestant Christians nationwide.1 They will deliver the first lecture. This is a course that begins with history and focuses on evangelism and mission. Not only are we visiting the sites, we are visiting local churches in both Turkey and Greece to receive some instruction as to how the Church survives in an overwhelmingly predominate Muslim setting (Turkey) and Orthodox setting (Greece). Apart from the local churches and traditional sites of Paul's missionary journeys we visit the Blue Mosque and Saint Sophia in Istanbul and then include visits to the rock fortress of Meteora and the Byzantine monasteries in western Thessaly. During the 11 days in Turkey and Greece (an extension to Rome is also possible) there will be frequent input from the professor along with evening sessions for reflection and processing the day’s events. Students will be asked to read in advance from a selection of books that cover topics relevant to the Biblical times as well as the contemporary religious and socio-political scenes.
MS 692 Theology of Evangelism

Robert G. Tuttle

COURSE DESCRIPTION It is our intent to present evangelism as the controlling purpose of all divine revelation and to clarify the fundamentals of doctrine immediately related to the propagation of the gospel. Various theologies of evangelism will be examined in light of both their historical and contemporary expression. The course seeks to clarify, from a Wesleyan perspective, the basic gospel message and aid students in their design of theologically appropriate methods and motivations for its communication in order that we may be better equipped as "ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us" (2 Corinthians 5:20).
PH 610 Systematic Apologetics

Robert G. Tuttle

PURPOSE: It is the purpose of this course to give the student reasonable response to some of the most challenging questions for the Christian faith today. Some people tend to define faith (since it apparently lies beyond the senses, perhaps even the realm of their experiences altogether) as trying to believe in something they can’t quite believe in, that’s just out of reach, just beyond belief. They sometimes ask, “Must I check my brain at the door of the church or does the Christian faith make sense? Furthermore, what’s the point? What's in it for me?" Since Pentecost there have been Christians called to respond to such questions. We will study several of these in expectation of strengthening our understanding of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ.
CO 601 XL Counseling Theories and Techniques

Frederick C. Van Tatenhove

In this course classical theories of counseling will be surveyed. Focus will be upon the major traditions within the psychodynamic, humanistic and behavioral fields. These three traditions provide the foundational framework from which most theories derive. In addition, attention will be given to the beginning process of appraising these traditions from a Christian perspective. How does our understanding of theology influence and determine our use of these secular theories of counseling? This study will consider several topics – the integration of theology and psychology, assumptions about human nature and theories of personality, the development of dysfunction and other problems, the nature of change, techniques and application of each theory.
DO 501 Basic Christian Doctrine

Jason E. Vickers

By the end of the course students will: l. Have developed a working Christian doctrinal vocabulary that will support further study in theology and related disciplines. 2. Have grasped the vital connection between Christian doctrine, the Christian life, and the practice of Christian ministry. 2 3. Have been introduced to all the major areas in the study of Christian theology and doctrine, e.g., the doctrine of the Trinity, Christology, pneumatology or the doctrine of the Holy Spirit, ecclesiology or the doctrine of the Church, and the like. 4. Be able to articulate the distinctive doctrinal emphases of the Wesleyan- Arminian theological tradition, e.g., the doctrines of prevenient grace and entire sanctification. 5. Have further cultivated the worship and love of God with one's own mind and, as a result, have further developed intellectual and theological virtues that are distinctively Christian.
MM 602 Mentored Ministry: Mentored Ministry Experience in a Cross-Cultural Ministry Setting

Michael C. Voigts

Course Objectives • To help students feel comfortable in ministering to individuals who are significantly different from themselves, and to grasp a wider understanding of the nature of the Church in the world. • For each student to appreciate the role of personal spiritual development for ministry leaders, and to intentionally examine areas in her or his life with Christ that need to be expanded. • To gain skills in problem solving through the use of simplified case studies; using them as tools for finding key issues involved in case study situations.
OT 619 Exegesis of 1-2 Samuel

Craig Vondergeest

Anderson , A. A. 2 Samuel. Word Biblical Commentary. Dallas: Word, 1989. Arnold, Bill and John Choi. A Guide to Biblical Hebrew Syntax. Cambridge: Cambridge University, 2003 Brueggemann, Walter. David’s Truth in Israel’s Imagination and Memory. 2nd ed. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2002
MB 610 Learning a Language and Culture

Dale F. Walker

Course Description: (From the ATS Catalog): “The developed generic methods of applied linguistics which equip the cross-cultural worker with methods of acquiring a field language with maximum efficiency.” This course is a follow-up to MB600 / 700: Anthropology for Christian Mission, and a bridge to MB 720: Cross-Cultural Communication of Christianity. We will be concerned with several aspects of cross-cultural living and learning, in order to facilitate communication in our various ministries. The course has several facets, each of which could be expanded into at least a full semester’s course. Being put together into one semester here, these facets will serve as introductions to areas of life-long interest, learning, and possible research. These facets are: An introduction to language and linguistics, as the scientific study of language; An introduction to field methods in cultural anthropology and linguistics; An introduction to learning strategies in language study.
CL 614 Leading Groups and Organizations

Russell W. West

Course Description. Transforming simple or complex groups (such as organizations) requires exceptional insight and skill. This course will examine the social psychological aspects of leadership from both the classic literature and from Christian parallels. Organic systems and the impact of belief structures on leadership and organizational behavior will frame the discussion.
CL 614 ML 714 Leading Groups and Organizations

Russell W. West

Course Description. Transforming simple or complex groups (such as organizations) requires exceptional insight and skill. This course will examine the social psychological aspects of leadership from both the classic literature and from Christian parallels. Organic systems and the impact of belief structures on leadership and organizational behavior will frame the discussion.
MB 800 Research Methods in Missiology

Russell W. West

Course Description This course introduces students to various approaches to research design, research methods and dissertation writing for doctoral students in missiology and intercultural studies. Methods are the link between questions and answers. The problem is finding the appropriate methods that discover data that shed light on the problem at hand. A well-designed research project should provide a door for the researcher to enter the stream of literature being produced about a particular topic. The goal of this course is to introduce students to a variety of research strategies and tools so that the student will be able to contribute to the disciplines within missiology.
BT 660 New Testament Theology

Ben Witherington

Ice, Laura and B. Witherington, The Shadow of the Almighty, (Grand Rapids:Eerdmans, 2000). Witherington, B. The Living Word of God, (Baylor Press, 2007), hb. Witherington, Ben The Many Faces of the Christ (N.Y. Crossroad, 1998). Witherington, Ben. Jesus, Paul, and the End of the World, (Downers Grove: InterVarsity P, 1992). Witherington, Ben Paul’s Narrative Thought World, (Louisville: Westminster/J.Knox, 1994), pb.
NT 520 New Testament Introduction

Ben Witherington

COURSE DESCRIPTION This course is intended to help you begin to weave yourself through the maze of NT studies. During the course we will be exploring several major subject areas: 1) the history of the period in which the NT was written; 2) the social and cultural milieu in which early Christians lived; 3) the practice of the scholarly study of the NT (source, form, redaction, genre, rhetorical criticism, et al.); 4) questions of introduction about the books of the NT (authorship, date, audience, structure, purpose); 5) the practice of exegesis and hermeneutics. In terms of the cognitive content of this course there are two major components: 1) the lectures; 2) the textbooks.
NT 640 Exegesis of General Epistles

Ben Witherington

CATALOG DESCRIPTION A close reading of the General Epistles with special attention given to literary, sociohistorical, and theological understandings of the Epistles. May include from any or all the General Epistles in a given semester. Pre-requisites IBDS 510 or 511; NT 520 and NT 500-501/2 or equivalent. (May be taken by students in M.A. programs not requiring Greek by special arrangement with the professor).
NT 805 The Early Church Fathers and the Formation of the Canon

Ben Witherington

COURSE PROCEDURE This is an intensive class (four hours a day, for two weeks) and will include the following components: 1) 50 minutes of introductory lecture followed by 15 min. Q&A; 2) 30 minutes of translation of primary source texts, by the students; 3) 45 minutes of short reports on assignments from the required reading. Each student will sign up for at least one short report before July 1. The reports should include a summary of the thesis of the text and a summary of the author’s main arguments and supporting evidence. At the end the student should give some evaluation of the author’s thesis and argument and how useful it is for our study of early Christianity and the interpretation of Scripture and the formation of the canon. Although a written copy of the report should be given to each member of the class, the oral presentation (15-20 min) should take the form of a mini-lecture, just as if one were teaching the text to a class of students. 4) 1 hour and 30 min discussion of the text assigned as “Common Reading for Discussion” together with the primary sources assigned as “Common Reading for Lecture” by the class and the professors. Each student is responsible for presenting an introduction to the “Common Reading for Discussion” once during the two weeks. The introduction (15 min.) should provide a) summary of the thesis of the text, b) summary of the key arguments that the author uses to support his thesis, and c) 5 questions about the author’s argument to jump start our discussion of the text. The questions would be in the following form: “On pages 72-3, McMullen claims X, Y, and Z. However, the textual evidence for claim Y is doubtful because of A and B. If we reject claim Y, do we also have to reject claims X and Z?” Sign up for the presentation by July 1. 5) During the second week of the class, instead of short papers on the assigned readings, each student will be responsible for presenting a major paper (15 pages) on some topic germane to the persons and issued covered in this class, followed by discussion. Papers as presented are not expected to be the final product, but an advanced draft. Then in the week following the class, the student should revise the paper in light of our conversation about the paper in class. Email the final copy to me (wsmith@div.duke.edu) by July 25.
DO 690 John Wesley's Theology Today

Lawrence W. Wood

The required sermons of John Wesley for this class are listed in the assignment for each module. Students may use the Thomas Jackson edition, which can be downloaded from the Internet. Here is the primary website for these sermons: http://gbgm-umc.org/umhistory/Wesley/jwesley3.html (numeric index) http://gbgm-umc.org/umhistory/wesley/sermons (title index) A. Skevington Wood, The Burning Heart L. Wood, The Meaning of Pentecost in Early Methodism, Rediscovering John Fletcher As Wesley’s Vindicator and Designated Successor
ST 501 Method and Praxis in Theology

Lawrence W. Wood

Welcome to this introductory course relating method to practice in theology. This course will involve an examination of different ways in which the Christian tradition has understood the sources, norms, and criteria for the development of church doctrine. Special attention is given to a critical analysis of contemporary theological methods and the influence of postmodern science. The connection between theological method and Christian doctrine, especially the doctrine of divine revelation, will serve as the foundation for developing an Evangelical\Wesleyan theology in the postmodern world. This class is designed for beginning students, and it serves as preparatory study for all course offerings in theology and doctrine. Wesley once said to his preacher that the study of logic was the single, most important study next to the Bible if they were going to understand the Bible properly and to preach it effectively. This class is similar to a course in logic because its purpose is to help students develop the categories necessary for understanding the theological implications of the Word of God. If the Bible is to be understood in a thoughtful and practical way, theological method is helpful because it is like a tool that enables the Scriptures to be user-friendly as we study and interpret them for our day. Praxis is an important component of this course. As a technical term, praxis means applying method to the concrete formulation of doctrine. What does it matter if one has a good method but does not develop an understanding of doctrine? We will examine a number of theologies, showing how various methods influenced the way theology is developed.
ST 620 Emotions, Feelings, and Passion

Lawrence W. Wood

WELCOME to this class on the role of emotions, feelings, and passion in shaping our personal theology of God and Christian beliefs. I can assure you on the basis of past student evaluations that this class will inspire you to a better self-understanding of your own faith development, as well as help you to understand that the affective resources of faith are as essential as the intellectual and logical. If this class has been perceived to be beneficial to students in the past, it is because our primary resource has been the writings of Frank Lake, Clinical Theology.
MB 755 Holisitc Mission and the Use of Business in Global Outreach

Tetsunao Yamamori

This course examines the biblical and historical bases of holistic mission and further explores the strategic and effective use of business in global outreach through case studies and the analysis of emerging models.
MB 770 The Indigenous Church

Steven Ybarrola

This is an advanced course for students with a solid foundation in missiological anthropology. The format will therefore reflect the advanced standing of the students by giving you a larger share of the responsibility for the course. There will be considerable discussion of material being read for which you must always come well prepared, some lecturing, some films, and a significant amount of time given to student presentations. The focus of the course is on the relationship between Christianity and culture. We will explore how this can engender indigenous churches, or result in syncretism or “split-level” Christianity in both Western and non-Western cultures around the world.