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The Theology of the Westminster Standards RTS - Atlanta Spring Term – 2021

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The Theology of the Westminster Standards RTS - Atlanta Spring Term – 2021 04ST6370/1: The Theology of the Westminster Standards RTS - Atlanta Spring Term – 2021 “Creedal expression when faithful to the revealed counsel of God never becomes obsolete.” – John Murray I. Course Description A. In this historical and theological survey of the Westminster Assembly and its work, the major documents produced by the Assembly are studied in detail, with attention also given to the historical, political, and theological context of the Assembly. Such issues as the Westminster doctrine of Scripture, the Confession’s relation to the theology of Calvin, and the debate over church government are discussed. Priority is given to a theological analysis of the organically unified system of religion expressed in the Westminster Confession of Faith. II. Course Details A. Dates: Feb 1–May 3, 2021 (No class April 5, 2021) B. Times: Monday (6:00–8:00 PM) C. Location: RTS-Atlanta Campus D. Instructor: Dr. R. Carlton Wynne E. Contact: [email protected] III. Course Goals A. To aid students in employing the Westminster Standards as confessional documents for the church. B. To promote the Scriptural theology taught in the Westminster Standards, with a view to further preparing men for ordination and to enable others to engage in ecumenical fellowship and dialogue within the international Reformed community, C. To familiarize the students with the historical, political, and theological background of the Westminster Assembly, along with some relevant secondary literature. IV. Course Philosophy and Structure A. Students of theology need to be steeped in the Word of God and familiar with the best statements of faith produced by the Christian church. These are prerequisites for usefulness to the church. For confessional Presbyterians, that means knowing the Bible and understanding the Westminster assembly’s catechisms, and the Confession of Faith as revised between 1789 and 1903. For non- Presbyterian students, a study of the Westminster assembly and its texts remains theologically and spiritually enriching, and will help them to engage with others within the Reformed community. B. The course will mainly consist of lecture material on the chapters of the Westminster Confession of Faith, with supplemental detours into the catechisms at relevant junctures. After an opening defense of creeds and confessions, along with a survey of the historical and political context of the assembly, the course will examine the structure and content of the Confession—noting key debates among the Westminster divines and the different emphases between the Confession and catechisms—before closing with a discussion of formal subscription to the Westminster Standards in the church. V. Course Reading A. Primary Sources 1. Westminster Confession of Faith. 1646. Reprint, Glasgow: Free Presbyterian, 1995. i. Note: this is a recommended, not required edition. It is recommended because it contains the text of the Confession, as well as the two Westminster catechisms, the Directory for Public Worship, and a number of other important documents related to the Westminster assembly. 2. The Westminster Larger Catechism 1 3. The Westminster Shorter Catechism B. Secondary Sources (consult “Course Assignments” below before purchasing) 1. Beattie, Francis R. The Presbyterian Standards: An Exposition of the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms. Richmond, VA: The Presbyterian Committee of Publications, 1896. 2. Fesko, J. V. The Theology of the Westminster Standards: Historical Context and Theological Insights. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2014. 3. Letham, Robert. The Westminster Assembly: Reading Its Theology in Historical Context. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R, 2009. 4. Moore, J. D. “The Extent of the Atonement: English Hypothetical Universalism Versus Particular Redemption.” In Drawn into Controversie: Reformed Theological Diversity and Debates Within Seventeenth-Century British Puritanism, eds. M. A. G. Haykin and M. Jones, 124–61. Göttingen: Vandenhoek and Ruprecht, 2011. 5. Rehnman, Sabastian. “A Particular Defence of Particularism.” Journal of Reformed Theology 6 (2012): 24–34. 6. Troxel, A. Craig. “Amyraut ‘at’ the Assembly: The Westminster Confession of Faith and the Extent of the Atonement.” Presbyterion 22:1 (1996), 43–55. 7. Van Dixhoorn, Chad. Confessing the Faith: A Reader’s Guide to the Westminster Confession. Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2014. 8. Van Dixhoorn, Emily. Confessing the Faith: Study Guide. Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2014. C. Suggested Resources 1. Westminsterassembly.org 2. Hall, David W., ed. The Practice of Confessional Subscription. Lanham, MD: University Press of America, 1995. 3. Duncan, Ligon, ed. The Westminster Confession into the 21st Century. 3 vols. Fearn, Ross-Shire: Christian Focus, 2003–2009. 4. Muller, Richard, and Rowland Ward. Scripture and Worship: Biblical Interpretation and the Directory for Public Worship. Phillipsburg: P&R, 2007. 5. Shaw, Robert. The Reformed Faith: An Exposition of the Westminster Confession of Faith. 1845. Reprint. Fearn, Ross-Shire: Christian Focus, 2008. 6. Whyte, Alexander. Exposition of the Shorter Catechism. Fearn, Ross-Shire: Christian Focus, 2005. VI. Course Assignments Assignment ‘A’ will be completed in class. Assignment ‘B’ will be completed prior to each relevant class period. Assignment ‘C’ will be completed in class. Assignments ‘D’ and ‘E’ are due by the beginning of the Spring Term exam period. Assignments ‘D’ (and E.2, if selected) should be SINGLE spaced, with a standard font (Times New Roman 12 pt) and margins (1”). Assignment ‘E.3’ (if selected) should be DOUBLE spaced, with a standard font (Times New Roman 12 pt) and margins (1”). Number your pages. Please submit all uploaded assignments in ONE file. Number your pages. A. Class Participation (15% of grade) 1. Prompt class attendance is, of course, crucial to the benefit of the student. The student will want and need to engage attentively with the course exposition and assignments, and to participate in 2 class interaction in various ways. 2. Please turn off your cell phones. Checking your phone in a class discussion or lecture is as thoughtless as checking it while holding a conversation with another person. Relatedly, please do not check email or chat online during class. Of course, you should feel free to use your class break for this purpose. 3. Please notify the instructor if you are providentially hindered from attending a particular class period. For extensions, see the “Extension Policy” provided by the RTS-A Registrar at the end of this syllabus. 4. The primary (but not exclusive!) expression of participation will be in a class debate centered on the readings by Troxel, Rehnman, and Moore on English hypothetical universalism and the Westminster Confession of Faith. This exercise will take place during class on Week 9 and is meant to be enjoyable, though some diligent preparation will be needed for your joy to be full (cf. Phil 2:2–4). More details to come in class. B. Confessional Comprehension (5% of grade) – COMPLETE RELEVANT SECTIONS PRIOR TO EACH CLASS PERIOD (see “Course Schedule” below) 1. Read The Westminster Confession of Faith 2. Read The Westminster Larger Catechism 3. Read The Westminster Shorter Catechism 4. Read The Directory for Public Worship 5. Read Moore, J. D. “The Extent of the Atonement: English Hypothetical Universalism Versus Particular Redemption.” In Drawn into Controversie: Reformed Theological Diversity and Debates Within Seventeenth-Century British Puritanism, eds. M. A. G. Haykin and M. Jones, 124–61. Göttingen: Vandenhoek and Ruprecht, 2011. 6. Read Rehnman, Sabastian. “A Particular Defence of Particularism.” Journal of Reformed Theology 6 (2012): 24–34. 7. Read Troxel, A. Craig. “Amyraut ‘at’ the Assembly: The Westminster Confession of Faith and the Extent of the Atonement.” Presbyterion 22:1 (1996), 43–55. 8. Read Van Dixhoorn, Chad. Confessing the Faith: A Reader’s Guide to the Westminster Confession. Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2014. C. Written Quiz (5% of grade) – COMPLETE IN CLASS 1. Halfway through the term (March 15, 2021), during class, I will ask you to provide from memory the titles/topics of the Confession of Faith (e.g.: 1. Scripture, 2. God, 3. Decrees, etc.). D. Response Papers (45% of grade) – COMPLETE BY MAY 15, 2021 1. Answer questions for any six chapters of Emily Van Dixhoorn’s Confessing the Faith Study Guide. i. Notes: a. The chapters you select must come from different “parts” of the confession. The “Table of Contents” notes nine parts. So you will choose one chapter from at least six of these nine. b. You need answer ONLY ten questions from each chapter that you select. c. Please reproduce the questions in your written responses. d. Your answers should typically be 1-3 sentences in length. 2. Provide in 2 pages your own commentary on any section/paragraph (not chapter!) of the Westminster Confession of Faith. Imagine the commentary as a teaching tool for adults or teens in your church. Comment on a section/paragraph that you do not treat in any other assignment (such as C.1, C.3–6, or D.2). 3. In 1–2 pages, summarize the most important observations or arguments in J.V. Fesko, The Theology of the Westminster Standards: Historical context and theological insights (Wheaton, IL: 3 Crossway, 2014), any two chapters. 4. In 1–2 pages, summarize the most important observations or arguments in Robert Letham, The Westminster Assembly (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R, 2009), any two chapters from chapters 7–15. 5. In 1–2 pages, summarize the most important observations or arguments in Beattie, Francis R. Beattie, The Presbyterian Standards (Richmond, VA: The Presbyterian Committee of Publications, 1896), any two chapters from chapters 3–23. 6. Indicate that you read the entirety of Chad Van Dixhoorn’s Confessing the Faith (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2017), as well as items listed in Assignment ‘B’ above. E. Final Exam OR assignment OR essay (40% of grade) – COMPLETE BY MAY 15, 2021 1. Students may take a 2-hour written exam on the content of the course, focusing on the lecture material.
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