Topics in Systematic Theology - Doctrines of Baptism and Christian Initiation
David Dault
- Instructor
This is an online resource for students participating in the class.
Syllabus for evening class
Study Guide for Midterm Exam
In this class we will learn to discuss and place Baptism
theologically.
That is, we will examine how the Christian tradition has thought of and used Baptism as a rite of initiation and as a mark of belonging, as well as its interaction with other doctrines such as original sin, atonement, justification and sanctification.
TEXT FOR THE CLASS
- The following are
required reading
for this course:
Gordon W. Lathrop,
Holy Things: A Liturgical Theology,
Fortress Press
Additional readings available on this webpage and handouts in class
It is expected that you will have assigned texts read before class, as we will discuss them on the day shown.
Some tips on reading academic texts
To print the online texts
I would recommend going to the 'File' menu and selecting 'Print Preview' - you should then see the text laid out properly for standard paper. Look to make sure words aren't being cut off on the edges in the preview. From there you can press 'Print' and all should be well. If cut-offs are happening you will need to find out how to adjust that particular machine's settings, or another option would be to 'Select all' in the edit menu, and copy and paste the text into a Word document and print from there.
You will be responsible for
the assigned content of the Lathrop text, content of the lectures, and class discussions. Class participation will be a significant portion of your final grade.
[The texts of the lectures will be posted here online week-to-week]
TH 302 06 Week 1
- [Jan 10] - Introductory remarks; Gospel origins; Baptism handout for next week
TH 302 06 Week 2
- [Jan 17] - Read Lathrop 1 - 32 and
Didache
; turn in and discuss Baptism Handout; Theological elements of liturgy, Marking and transforming time
TH 302 06 Week 3
- [Jan 24] - Read Lathrop 33 - 53; Theological elements of liturgy, Remembering and recieving
TH 302 06 Week 4
- [Jan 31] - Read Lathrop 54 - 83; Theological elements of liturgy, Preparing and belonging
TH 302 06 Week 5
- [Feb 7] - Read and discuss the
Catholic doctrine of Baptism
; Baptism is a universal mark of belonging
TH 302 06 Week 6 -
[Feb 14] - Read and discuss the
WCC document on Baptism
; Baptism as ecumenical event
TH 302 06 Week 7 -
[Feb 21] - Read Lathrop 87 - 115; MID-TERM EXAM REVIEW
TH 302 06 Week 8 -
[Feb 28] -
MID TERM EXAM
March 6-10 Spring Break
TH 302 06 Week 9 -
[Mar 14] - Read Lathrop 116 - 138; Baptism and Sanctification: Making a sacred people
March 21-24 GNL Lectures -
No Class
TH 302 06 Week 10 -
[Mar 28] - Read Lathrop 161 - 179; Practicing criticism, criticizing practices
TH 302 06 Week 11 -
[Apr 4] - Read Lathrop 204 - 225; Turning outward: remembering Baptism in the world
TH 302 06 Week 12 -
[Apr 11] - Read handout on Decian persecution; Controversies and church unity in the ancient world
TH 302 06 Week 13 -
[Apr 18] (Final Exam for Seniors) - Read handout on Apartheid and Black Liberation Theology; Controversies and church unity in the modern world
TH 302 06 Week 14 -
[Apr 25] - Read handout on Hurricane Katrina; Baptismal covenant and prophetic witness - FINAL EXAM REVIEW
TH 302 06 Week 15 -
[May 2]
FINAL EXAM
For further study
If you wish to continue learning about the topics covered in this course, I would suggest looking at the follwing.
These are not required texts for the course. They are recommendations.
Maxwell E. Johnson,
The Rites of Christian Initiation: Their Evolution and Interpretation
(Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1999)
Shirley Guthrie,
Christian Doctrine, Revised Edition
(Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press)
Van Harvey,
A Dictionary of Theological Terms
(New York: Touchstone, 1992)
Click here
to go to the American Baptist College website