4ST615: The Doctrine of Baptism Summer 2010 Dr. J. V. Fesko Contact information to be provided Course Description This course is an elective study of the doctrine of baptism. It covers the history of the doctrine from the patristics through the modern period. It also surveys the doctrine from the biblical theological perspective. It concludes with a positive systematic theological construction of the doctrine. Subjects covered include the development of the doctrine, baptism as a means of grace, as a sacrament, the doctrine itself, the recipients, as well as the question of whether baptisms of the Roman Catholic Church are valid. Class Schedule July 20-23 (Tues – Fri) from 8.30 am - 4.30 pm Student Evaluation o Required reading (20%): you must submit the percentage of the required reading that you have accomplished on the top of your final exam. Failure to report your reading percentage will result in a zero recorded for this portion of your evaluation. You may have one extra month from the last day of class to complete your reading (i.e., prophetic reading reports are permissible). o Class participation (20%): part of your grade will depend upon your participation in class, whether by answering questions when called upon, asking questions, or participating in discussion. o Final examination (60%): The final exam will be distributed on the last day of class. You will have two weeks from the last day of class to submit your exam (Friday, 5 August 2010). Submit your exam to me via e-mail by no later than the end of the day. The exam will consist of five essay questions, from which you will select two. You will respond to the two questions with one-page typed response for each question (two pages total). Employ relevant exegesis, terminology, history, and theological argumentation in your response. Academic Policies Class academic policies are those that are outlined in the current RTS Course Catalog (grading scale, class attendance policy, conduct, and examination policies). Taping of Class Lectures You are not permitted to tape class lectures. Obtaining Class Lecture Notes in event of an absence You are responsible for obtaining lecture notes in the event of your absence from a fellow student. The professor will not provide lecture notes.Failure to turn in required materials In the event that you fail to turn in required assignments, you will receive the grade of an “F.” In the event that you need a time extension, you must obtain an official extension request form from the administration, which must be approved by the professor and academic dean. If an extension is granted, you will receive an “INC” until all assignments are completed. Extensions will be granted only in the event of extenuating circumstances such as severe illness or death in the family. Required Texts John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, ed. John T. McNeill, trans. Ford Lewis Battles, Library of Christian Classics, vols. 20-21 (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1960). http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/institutes.html J. V. Fesko, Word, Water, and Spirit: A Reformed Perspective on Baptism (Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books, 2010). Pierre-Charles Marcel, The Biblical Doctrine of Infant Baptism (Cambridge: James Clark, 1953). John Murray, Christian Baptism (Phillipsburg: P & R, 1980). Westminster Confession of Faith with Larger and Shorter Catechisms (preferably w/ Scripture Proofs) * note, bring a copy with you to class, as frequent reference will be made to these documents. http://www.opc.org/confessions.html http://www.opc.org/publications.html Lecture Schedule (approximate—will have approximately 1 hr 30 mins for lunch each day) Topic Time Day Reading Course Introduction 8.30-9.30am TUES Fesko, Introduction Patristics, Middle Ages, Counter Reformation 9.30-10.30am Fesko, chp. 1 Luther and Lutheranism 10.30-11.30am Fesko, chp. 2 Zwingli and the Anabaptists 1.00-2.00pm Fesko, chp. 3 Reformation Reformed theology 2.00-3.00pm Fesko, chp. 4; Calvin, Institutes, 4.14-16 (pp. 1276-1359) Early Orthodoxy 3.00-4.00pm Fesko, chp. 5 High Orthodoxy 8.30-9.30am WEDS Fesko, chp. 6 Modern Theology 9.30-10.30am Fesko, chp. 7 Baptism as new creation 10.30-11.30am Fesko, chp. 8 Baptism as new creation 1.00-2.00pmBaptism as covenant judgment 2.00-3.00pm Fesko, chp. 9 Baptism as covenant judgment 3.00-4.00pm Baptism eschatological judgment 8.30-9.30am THURS Fesko, chp. 10 Baptism as a means of grace 9.30-10.30am Fesko, chp. 11 Baptism as a means of grace 10.30-11.30am Marcel, Baptism, 63-138. Baptism as a sacrament 1.00-2.00pm Fesko, chp. 12; Marcel, Baptism, 1-62 Baptism as a sacrament 2.00-3.00pm Baptism as a doctrine 3.00-4.00pm Fesko, chp. 13; Murray, Christian Baptism; Marcel, 139-86 Baptism as a doctrine 8.30-9.30 FRI Baptism and its recipients 9.30-10.30 Fesko, chp. 14; Marcel, 187-244 Baptism and its recipients 10.30-11.30 Baptism and ecclesiology 1.00-2.00 Fesko, chp. 15 Baptism and ecclesiology 2.00-3.00 Buffer