The Doctrine of Divine Foreknowledge & Providence
Topics in Theology / REL375 / 4 Credits / Fall 2002

Instructor:  Michael Andres
   andres@nwciowa.edu

Office/Hours:  VPH 115, ext. 7079
    MW 3:30-5:00 / Th 3:00-5:00

Class Time:   TTh  9:25-10:55

Class Location:  VPH 119

Course Description:

A theological, biblical, and historical study of the doctrines of divine foreknowledge and providence from a classical as well as a contemporary perspective.  Focus of the course will be on Calvinist/Augustinian, Arminian/Wesleyan, and Openness views.

Course Objectives:

1. To develop careful research and analytical skills.
2. To grasp the historic statements of and arguments for Calvinist/Augustinian and Arminian/Wesleyan theological positions on foreknowledge and providence, and to critically engage recent Openness accounts.
3. To reflect on the meaning and application of biblical authority in Christian theology.
4. To think more clearly, consistently, historically and biblically about the doctrines of foreknowledge and providence, their interrelationship with each other and with other Christian doctrines.
5. To consider how one’s view of foreknowledge and providence ought to affect the faith and pastoral practice of the Church and draw one closer to the living God.

Primary Texts:

· Bible
· James Bielby & Paul Eddy, eds., Divine Foreknowledge:  Four Views (InterVarsity, 2001)
· Boyd, Gregory, God of the Possible: A Biblical Introduction to the Open View of God (Baker, 2000)
· Helm, Paul, The Providence of God (InterVarsity)
· Pinnock, Clark, ed., The Grace of God and the Will of Man (Bethany House, 1995)
· Shreiner, Thomas & Ware, Bruce, eds., Still Sovereign: Contemporary Perspectives on Election, Foreknowledge, and Grace (Baker, 2000)
· Ware, Bruce, God's Lesser Glory: The Diminished God of Open Theism (Crossway, 2000)

Course Requirements:

1. Class attendance/participation: Participation and attendance are mandatory; one express purpose of this course is to discuss theological issues in a seminar format.  After three unexcused absences, students will be graded down one half letter grade for every subsequent unexcused absence.
2. Readings:  Reading should be completed before class time listed.  It is the responsibility of the student to be aware of forthcoming reading assignments given in syllabus.
3. Quizzes:  Five quizzes will cover material from course texts and reader. Quizzes can only be rescheduled with advance permission of instructor.
4. Exams: Two sectional and one non-comprehensive final exam cover material from lectures and reading.
5. Written Projects:  Two 1000 word papers are required.  The first (due Sept 19)will be an analysis of a existant sermon on omniscience/foreknowledge, the other a sermon/devotional written by the student applying the doctrines of providence to everyday life (due October 29).

Guidelines for Written Project

Assessment of Written Project:

Students will be evaluated according to the comprehension, analysis, and application demonstrated in their paper.  Double space, use normal margins and 12 cpi font. If you use other resources, include proper footnotes/endnotes and bibliography.  Please include name, RSC box #, course, word count, and subject at top of title page.

Course Assessment:

Quizzes = 50 points/10 points each
Exams = 300 points / 100 points each
Application Papers = 100 points /50 points each

Final Exam Schedule:

Thur, Dec 19, 8:00-10:00am, VPH119.  Make any travel or plane reservations early; Professor does not have the authority to reschedule final exam for any student.

Course Assistance:

I have an open door policy.  Please come by my office, preferably at office hours, if you have any questions or are having any problems with the reading, lectures, note taking, written project, etc.  Or come by for a cup of tea and chat about life.  For further assistance in academic matters help is available through Patti Thayer at Academic Support (VPH 125B).  Academic Support is there to help you so if you are having difficulties do not hesitate to ask for assistance.

Web Sites:

Pelagius
Pelagianism
Pelagius and Pelagianism
Augustine and the Pelagian Controversy
Arminius
Arminius and Synod of Dort
Open Theism Bibliography
Calvinism, Arminianism, and Openness Bibliography

Course Schedule:
 

Date	Topic	Assignment / Reading
	Divine Foreknowledge
Aug 27	Introduction
Aug 29	Scripture on Divine Foreknowledge
Sept 3	Scripture on Divine Foreknowledge
Sept 5	Augustinian / Calvinist View	Beilby/Eddy, ch 4
Sept 10	Middle Knowledge View	Beilby/Eddy, ch 3;  Quiz #1
Sept 12	Open Theist View	Beilby/Eddy, ch 1
	Divine Providence
Sept 17	Scripture on Divine Providence
Sept 19	Scripture on Divine Providence	Helm, ch 1; Sermon Analysis Due
Sept 24	Providence: Risky or Risk-free?	Helm, ch 2-3;  Quiz #2
Sept 26	Providence in Creation, Fall, and Redemption	Helm, ch 4;  Pinnock, ch 5
Oct 1	Exam #1
Oct 3	Providence in Guidance and Prayer	Helm, ch 5-6
Oct 8	Providence in Freedom and Accountability	Helm, ch 7;  Pinnock, ch 15; Quiz #3
Oct 10	Providence and Evil	Helm, ch 8-9
	Divine Election
Oct 15	Old Testament on Election	Schreiner/Ware, ch 1
Oct 17	Gospels on Election	Pinnock, ch 13; Schreiner/Ware, ch 2
	Midterm Break - October 19-22
Oct 24	Pauline Epistles on Election	Pinnock, ch 3; Schreiner/Ware, ch 3-4
Oct 29	Hebrews on Perseverance	Screiner/Ware, ch 6; Application Paper Due
Oct 31	Historical/Theological Background	Augustine and the Pelagian Controversy; Pinnock, ch 8
Nov 5	Historical/Theological Background	Arminius
Nov 7	Human Will
Nov 12	Grace and Calling	Schreiner/Ware, ch 8-9; Quiz #4
Nov 14	Universal / Particular Love of God	Pinnock, ch 2; Schreiner/Ware, ch 11
Nov 19	Assurance	Pinnock, ch 12; Schreiner/Ware, ch 10
Nov 21	Exam #2
	Open Theism
Nov 26	Open Theism	Boyd, Intro-ch 1
	Thanksgiving Holiday - Nov 27-Dec 1
Dec 3	Open Theism	Boyd, ch 2-3
Dec 5	Open Theism	Boyd, ch 4; Ware, ch 1-3; Quiz #5
Dec 10	Open Theism	Ware, ch 4-6
Dec 12	Open Theism	Ware ch 7-10
Dec 19	Final Exam - 8:00-10:00, VPH119

 

Prime Mover
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