PRTH 70970/80970: Special Topics in Practical Theology: Eschatology and Ministry in Uncertain Times Thursday, 1:00 P.M. until 3:15 P.M. Taught online (3 semester hours)

Instructor: Dr. Stephen V. Sprinkle Dr. Sprinkle’s contact information: Moore Building Basement, Room 120B Office phone: 817-257-7585 [email protected] Christa Russell Franks, Administrative Assistant Office phone: 817-257-7580 [email protected]

Prerequisites: None. Required texts: 1. Richard Lischer, The End of Words: The Language of Reconciliation in a Culture of Violence Reprint Edition (Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2008), ISBN-13: 978- 0802862808, $14.40. 2. Scott MacDougall, More Than Communion: Imagining an Eschatological Ecclesiology (T&T Clark, 2018), ISBN-13: 978-0567672483, $39.95. 3. Jürgen Moltmann, The Coming of God: Christian Eschatology (Augsburg Fortress, 1996), ISBN-13: 978-0800636661, $26.49. Course description: This class is designed for ministers-in-training who will engage the strange silence surrounding eschatology in the life of contemporary faith communities, and how to become eschatologically literate. This course seeks to equip students with a base of essential material about eschatological ecclesiology, including literature and videography in the field, biblical criticism, and theological constructions. Students in this course will: • Learn how to identify and overcome theological amnesia in regards to hope, resurrection, and new creation, both in themselves and in the faith communities they will likely lead; • Learn how to re-imagine church and ministry as a conceptual and practical task in light of God’s promised future of full communion between God and humanity, human beings among themselves, and between humanity and the rest of creation; • Learn how to become agents of discipleship, love, and service enabling faith communities to discover how a robust eschatology that moves beyond two-dimensional understandings of the last things permeates ecclesial practices and engenders social engagement; Class procedures: This class operates as a modified seminar. Instructional methods include class discussion, small group discussions, lectures, audiovisual presentations including videography, and guest speakers. Requirements and grading: 1. Read all texts, assigned articles, and handouts thoroughly. 2. Two short (three to five page) theological response papers on readings. 3. A medium length paper (7-10 pages) on how to develop an eschatological imagination [DMin students will do 10-15 pages]. 4. A medium length paper (7-10 pages) re-imagining a practice of ministry in light of God’s future [DMin students will do 10-15 pages].

Grading procedures: Class participation: 10% Short reading reflection papers: 30% Eschatological imagination paper: 30% Re-imagining ministerial practice paper: 30%