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CH 680 Theology & Writings of Martin Luther Summer Session 2020

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CH 680 Theology & Writings of Martin Luther Summer Session 2020 CH 680 Theology & Writings of Martin Luther Summer Session 2020 Trinity School for Ministry Class meeting dates June 1-5 Mark C. Mattes, Ph.D. 515-745-1596 cell [email protected] Introduction: “The Reformation is Luther and Luther is the Reformation,” so says, James Atkinson. If that is the case, or even somewhat near to the truth, then a study of Martin Luther and his work as biblical expositor, preacher, confessor of the faith, polemicist and author of children’s catechisms is well worth the effort. This course is designed to give the student opportunity to explore through lecture and readings in primary texts, the fundamental concerns of Luther, the pioneer of the Reformation. Course Objectives: The course is organized around three basic goals: 1) To acquaint students with the basic “shape” and issues of Luther’s theology through class presentations and lecture. 2) To enable students to assess and “wrestle” with a selection of Luther’s most important writings through the reading of primary texts. 3) To allow students the opportunity to integrate their thinking on these subjects through supervised class discussion. Learning Outcomes: In addition to these course objectives, students shall also make progress in these general learning outcomes, established by the seminary: MDiv 1. The student will recognize and identify the biblical theology evident in the course work. 2. The student will be able to articulate an Lutheran understanding of biblical, historical, systematic, and pastoral theology. 3. The student will be able to communicate effectively the Christian message to a diversity of people in order to advance the mission of God. 4. The student will be prepared to effectively lead in a variety of Christian communities. DMin, 1. 1) The student will recognize and identify the biblical theology evident in the course work. 2. The student will demonstrate the ability to reflect biblically and theologically about the identified problem. 3. The student will be able to identify and articulate a distinct ministry concern and/or challenge. 4. The student will demonstrate the ability to apply the learning from the biblical and theological reflections to the identified ministry concern and/or challenge. Course Requirements: There are several requirements in the course: 1) Students are responsible for daily readings and are expected to attend lectures and participate through question and discussion. 2) Each student will write a 3-4 page response paper responding to Luther’s (1) Freedom of a Christian, (2) Bondage of the Will, and (3) “Embracing Your Demons: An Overview of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy” (in light of Luther’s Theology). Due: on or before last day for written work 3) MDiv students will write a term paper of 12 pages on a topic approved by the professor. DMin students will write a 20 page paper on a topic approved by the professor. Due: on or before last day for written work. 4) Answer the questions for the Kittelson, Isaac, and Mattes books prior to the first day of class 5) Develop a map of Europe that specifies cities important to the Reformation, along with a brief one-sentence statement of why that site is important, as listed below Reading Response: The reading response must be a response to the text, rather than merely a summary or explication of the text. Students should seek to analyze the text as a whole, reflecting especially on key themes, arguments, issues, criticisms, and/or points that are of particular personal interest. The following examples of general critical questions may help guide your engagement with the text and the formulation of your response: • What stands out to me? (Reflecting on interest) • What surprises me? (Reflecting on distance) • What puzzles me? (Reflecting on learning opportunities) • What connections do I make? (Reflecting on integration) • What implications are there? (Reflecting on application) Grading Guidelines: Your final grade for the course will be computed on the following basis: Response Papers: 30 points each Term Paper: 300 points Questions 120 points Map 20 points Grading Scale: The school’s grade scale is as follows: A = 100-95; A- = 94-90; B+ = 89-87; B = 86-83; B- = 82-80; C+ = 79-77; C = 76-73; C- = 72-70; D = below 70; F = below 60. Attendance Policy: Class attendance and participation are a central part of this course. Students who must miss a class period need to consult with me in advance. If a student has more than one unexcused absence from class, he/she will receive a penalty of three points per additional unexcused absence on his/her final grade. Plagiarism: Plagiarism is a violation of an author’s/artist’s intellectual property rights and is a serious offense. Please see the TSM Academic Catalog for a full explanation of Trinity’s plagiarism guidelines and note, as stated there, that every student is expected to be fully aware of the guidelines. A student who plagiarizes will automatically receive a failing grade on the assignment and risks failing the course. Late work and extensions. Instructors may grant an extension of due dates for class assignments. If students make a mutually acceptable prior arrangement with an instructor, they may with the instructor’s permission submit required course work up to the official date for the end of term. When students expect to submit required course work later than the due date assigned by the instructor, but before the last day to submit work for the term then the student must signify this prospect to the instructor in writing, stating the extenuating circumstances, to obtain permission for late submission, on or before the assigned due date or stated examination day of a given term. A copy of this request must be submitted to the Registrar to be kept in the student’s file. The instructor may impose a condition that the grade be reduced, depending upon the reason for the requested extension. The instructor shall clearly signify in the syllabus any such condition to the student, including the amount of reduction. Incompletes: Incompletes are not normally given and are given only in the most serious of cases. In order to request an incomplete, student must obtain the necessary form online and bring to the professor who will list the specific assignments to be completed with due dates. The due date cannot be beyond six weeks from the last day of class. The form will be submitted to the Academic Dean for final approval. ATS: As per The Association of Theological Schools (ATS) requirements, several samples of student work may be randomly selected and used as a class artifact as part of an on-going assessment of courses and degree programs. Students’ names will be removed from any work used for this purpose. Class Textbooks: Kittelson, James A. and Hans Wiersma, Luther the Reformer: The Story of the Man and His Career. Second Edition. Minneapolis: Augsburg, 2016. ISBN: 978-145148888-3 Lull, Timothy F., and William Russell, editors. Martin Luther’s Basic Theological Writings. Third edition. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 2005. ISBN: 978-0800698836 Isaac, Gordon. Prayer, Meditation, Spiritual Trial: Luther’s Account of Life in the Spirit. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 2017. ISBN: 978-1-68307-018-4 Mattes, Mark. Martin Luther’s Theology of Beauty: An Reappraisal. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2017. ISBN: 9780801098376 Schedule of Classes: (subject to change*) Session 1 About Reading Luther Luther’s entire theology in one hour Luther’s Life, Times, and Development Discussion of Kittelson; 95 Theses, Luther’s Theology of the Cross. 2 Luther’s Decisive Turn to Reform The Freedom of a Christian. The Babylonian Captivity of the Church, To the Christian Nobility of the German Nation Concerning the Reform of the Christian Estate 3 Luther’s Decisive Turn to Reform, continued 4 Luther on Scripture “Concerning the Letter and the Spirit,” A Brief Instruction on What to Look for and Expect in the Gospels,” “Preface to the Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans,” Preface to the New Testament,” “Preface to the Old Testament,” “How Christians Should Regard Moses” Lull, 53-115. 5 Luther on Gospel “Two Kinds of Righteousness,” “A Sermon on the Three Kinds of Good Life for the Instruction of Consciences,” “A Meditation on Christ’s Passion,” “The Estate of Marriage,” “The Bondage of the Will,” “Sermon on the Afternoon of Christmas Day,” “Against the Antinomians,” Lull, 119-181 6 Luther on the Gospel, continued 7 Luther on Sacraments “The Blessed Sacrament of the Holy and True Body of Christ, 1519,” “The Babylonian Captivity of the Church – part I,” “The Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ – Against the Fanatics,” “Concerning Rebaptism,” “Confession concerning Christ’s Supper, Parts I and III,” “The Marburg Articles,” Lull, 185-285 8 Luther on Reform “Eight Sermons at Wittenberg,” “Concerning the Order of Public Worship,” “An Order of Mass and Communion for the Church at Wittenberg,” The Small Catechism,” The Smalcald Articles,” “On the Councils and the Church” Lull, 289-383 9 Luther on Ethics “A Sermon on the Estate of Marriage,” “A Sermon on Preparing to Die,” “Temporal Authority: To What Extent It Should be Obeyed,” “To the Councilmen of All Cities in Germany That they Establish Schools,” “Whether One May Flee From a Deadly Plague,” “Whether Soldiers Too Can Be Saved,” “An Ordinance of the Common Chest” Lull, 387-487 10 Luther on the Christian Life, or, Luther’s Spirituality Luther on the Three Rules: Luther on Prayer Luther on Meditation Luther on Spiritual Trial Isaac, 1-177. Mattes on Beauty: Select chapters 11 Luther on the Christian Life, continued A Short Selected Bibliography: (Useful in researching your paper topic) Althaus, Paul. The Theology of Martin Luther.
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