SOUTHWESTERN
ADVENTIST COLLEGE
SOCIAL SCIENCE
DEPARTMENT
RLGN OR HIST 332
HISTORY OF
CHRISTIANITY
3 SEM. HRS.
Teacher: E. Sicher, PH.D.,PH.D.
Office: Evans Hall 101
Office Hours: MWF 10:00–12:00, TTH 1:15-2:00 (and by appointment)
Phone: Office: (817) 645-3921, Ext. 6247
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For more information see:
http://www.digitex.net/karnten/
Severe Weather Protocol
In the rare event of severe weather, an announcement will be made between 9:00 and 10:30 p.m. indicating that classes will be delayed or cancelled - or that the university will be open as usual on the following day. If it is not determined until early morning that classes must be delayed or cancelled, an announcement will be made by 6:00 a.m. You may check the following for official delay or closing announcements: 88.3 FM KJCR, NBC 5 KXAS TV, or the University switchboard operator at (817) 645-3921.
I. Food for Thought:
"How shall we
labor with any effect to build up the church, if we have no thorough knowledge
of her history, or fail to apprehend it from the proper point of observation?
History is, and must ever continue to be, next to God's Word, the richest
foundation of wisdom, and the surest guide to all successful practical
activity." Philip Schaff.
"The example of noble deaths such as the Spartans and others hardly move
us, for we do not see what good it is to us. But the example of the deaths of
Christian martyrs move us, for they are our members, having a common bond with
them, so that their devotion inspires us not only by their example, but
because we should have the same... The history of the church should more
accurately be called the history of truth and should be studied diligently."
Blaise Pascal.
B. Format:
The format of the course is lecture and discussion. Because of the
pressure of time and the need to cover much material it is important for you
to keep up with the readings and lectures. Many phenomena in history are open
to controversy in their interpretation; men and women of good will can and
will disagree on their meaning and importance, a point exemplified by the
different approaches to be found in the texts, films, lectures and
discussions. But debate and controversy should be encouraged, not ignored
under the guise of "consensus," "value free objectivity," or dogma. Both
students and the instructor need to maintain an open attitude to many points
of view. One goal of the course is to demonstrate that the meaning of history
can be perceived in different ways. I have opinions on many of the subjects
under discussion and will try to make my biases clear. You need not accept my
opinions or interpretations and are free to take issue with them without
penalty.
I.
Purpose
This course has been designed with several purposes in mind:
to examine the
History of Christianity from an evangelical perspective beginning with
Luther's posting of the 95 theses on the door of the castle church in
Wittenberg to the present complex religious scene; to provide an introduction
to the social, political and economic changes as well as historical processes;
to provide necessary background for further coursework in history, religion,
and the social sciences; and to encourage analytical thinking and intellectual
growth. All that is required is an open mind and a willingness to learn about
churches, denominations, sects, regions, countries and people outside the
United States.
II.
_OBJECTIVES_
To scrutinize the Catholic Church, the origin and development of the
Protestant Churches, and the world‑wide spread of the Christian Faith.
_MORE
SPECIFICALLY, TO DISCOVER:_
a) _Reformation and Counter Reformation_ 1517‑1648
The causes of the Reformation
The new national and free Protestant Churches
The Catholic Counter Reformation and the world‑wide gains
b) _Rationalism, Revivalism, and Denominationalism_ 1648‑1789
Religion in Colonial America
Rationalism, Deism, and Pietism
Wesleyan Movement
c) _Revivalism, Missions, and Modernism_ 1789‑1914
Nineteenth century revival of Catholicism and Protestantism
Consequent missionary endeavors and social reform
Erosion of trust in Bible by rationalism and evolution, and subsequent
religious liberalism
American Churches and denominations in the National era
d) _Church and Society in tension since 1914_
The impact of the secular and totalitarian state
Modernism, Liberalism, Neo-orthodoxy, and its successors
Ecumenical movement
Evangelical
revival
| III. ASSIGNMENTS |
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1.
Daily study of the assigned textbook pages.
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2. One book summary for the period or a summary of 12 articles from
CHRISTIAN
HISTORY dealing with issues
1500
A.D. to the present |
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3. Study the review questions (Many test items will be drawn from these questions)
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4. Define all the names and terms with one or two precise sentences.
These names and terms
will be included on the final test. |
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5.
Enter the Geographical names on an outline map.
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6. View and describe three films relating to Christian History for the
period
studied. |
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7. Complete TWELVE web exercises OF YOUR CHOICE listed for each day ON THE ASSIGNMENT SHEET.
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8.
Attendance and class participation
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9.
Oral presentations and discussions
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| IV. EVALUATION |
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1. Five unit examinations, which will cover lecture and textbook material since
the
last examination. |
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2. One book summary for the period or a summary of 12 articles from CHRISTIAN
HISTORY dealing with issues |
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3.
Study the review questions (Many test items will be drawn from these
questions) |
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4. Definition of all the names and terms with one or two precise sentences.
These names and terms
will be included on the final test. |
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5.
Geographical names on outline maps. |
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6.
Three films reviews relating to Christian History for the period studied. |
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7. Internet exercises |
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8.
Attendance and class participation |
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9.
Oral presentations and discussions |
V. TYPE OF
TESTS
Tests will be both objective and essay. Maps included.
VI. GRADING
100 ‑ 83% A
82 ‑ 72% B
71 ‑ 51% C
50 ‑ 40% D
