Discussion The Significance of Early Church Creeds

Discuss the historically-significant reasons behind the Apostles Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Creed of Chalcedon. Using the course reading and the video lecture material, evaluate and discuss the significance of these early creeds, both for their historical context and for our present understanding today.

Select one of these three early Church creeds and state why it was important in its own day and why it is still important today. Are there any specific errant teachings around today that are similar to early church heresies and that you think need the corrective of these early Church statements? Be specific. How could these creeds be used today?

You should write a substantive initial post and respond to at least two other students. If you refer to any additional sources, be sure to give the proper citation information at the end of your post.

0000Session 2 Discussion Medieval Sacramentalism

Discuss the emergence of medieval sacramentalism as it emerged in the Middle Ages and became codified in the post-Reformation Council of Trent (1545-1563). Using the course reading and the video lecture material, the students will be asked to evaluate and discuss medieval sacramentalism and how it relates to Roman Catholic notions of salvation.

Using the selections from the Medieval Sourcebook and the Council of Trent, summarize the medieval understanding of the role that sacraments play in obtaining salvation. Use specific quotations from the materials. Discuss how this relates to your personal understanding of the sacraments and salvation. Is this medieval development relevant for today?

Write a substantive initial post and respond to at least two other students. If you refer to any additional sources, be sure to give the proper citation information at the end of your post.

0000Session 3 Discussion Spiritual Authority, Justification, and the Christian Life

Discuss the Reformational ideas of spiritual authority, justification, and the Christian life as they were developed and articulated by the Protestant reformers and post-Reformation theologians. Using the course reading and the video lecture material, evaluate and discuss the fundamental issues that caused a division between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism in the 16th century.

Using the selections from Martin Luther and the Westminster Confession of Faith, summarize the Protestant position on spiritual authority, justification, and the role of good works in the Christian life. Use specific quotations from the materials. Discuss any particular terms, distinctions, or quotations that seem particularly important and helpful to you.

Write at least one substantive post and respond to at least two other students. When you refer to additional sources, be sure to give the proper citation information at the end of your post.

0000Session 4 Discussion Spiritual Renewal and Decline

Discuss the signs of both spiritual renewal and spiritual decline as witnessed in the 18th and 19th centuries. Using the course reading and the video lecture material, evaluate and discuss the indications of God’s blessing and the indications of unfaithfulness and decline in the Church.

Using the selections from Jonathan Edwards and Charles Augustus Briggs, summarize some of the evidences of spiritual renewal and revival that Edwards witnessed in Northampton. Also summarize some of the indications of decline and unfaithfulness that can be detected in the writing of Briggs. Use specific quotations from the materials. Discuss any particular points that seem particularly important for believers today.

Write at least one substantive post and respond to at least two other students. If you refer to any additional sources, be sure to give the proper citation information at the end of your post.

0000Session 5 Discussion The Value of Historical Christian Teaching

Discuss the responses of Machen and the Chicago Statement on Inerrancy to defections away from traditional Christianity. Using the course reading and the video lecture material, you will be asked to evaluate and discuss the significance of the points made in arguing for historical Christian teaching.

Using the selections from Machen and the Chicago Statement on Inerrancy, summarize some of the key points that are made in defense of traditional Christian belief. Use specific quotations from the materials. Discuss any particular points that seem particularly important for believers today. Connect these points to the history of the Church in the 20th century and state how they apply to your own lives and local church experience. Be sure to fully reflect and thoughtfully discuss all of these elements.

Write a substantive initial post and respond to at least two other students. If you refer to any additional sources, be sure to give the proper citation information at the end of your post.