Soteriology
[draft syllabus; subject to change]
Semester: Fall 2018
Credit hours: Three
Lecturer: Joel Beeke
Office hours: Contact my office assistant, Ann Dykema (ann.dykema@prts.edu), to schedule an appointment.
Facilitator: Chris Engelsma
- Explain Reformed soteriology as it relates to our calling, regeneration, faith, justification, sanctification, perseverance, and glorification;
- Articulate the biblical basis of Reformed soteriology;
- Understand and define the key terms used in the discussion of soteriology;
- Interact with alternative viewpoints and offer arguments which support the Reformed perspective of various issues;
- Understand the study of soteriology within its historical context;
- Preach on any of the doctrines of soteriology.
| Assignment: | Percentage: | Hours: |
| Lectures & Discussion | 30% | 45 hours |
| Paper | 20% | 23 hours |
| Reading | 0% | 38 hours |
| Exams | 50% | 14 hours |
| Total: | 100% | 120 hours |
Lectures: The lectures for this course have been carefully edited specifically for this course. A course outline is included with each lecture.
Discussions: Each lesson has at least one discussion in it. These interactions are all graded. Please read our principles for effective discussions here.
Paper: Your paper in this course should not exceed ten pages. Be sure to confirm your topic with me and follow the strictures of the PRTS Style Guide.
| Author, Title | Pages: | Time: |
| Joel Beeke, Living for God’s Glory, page 101–131, 189–220 | 61 | 3 hours
|
| John Calvin, Institutes, Book 3, Chapters 1-3, 6-15 (see below for accessibility options) | 173 | 9 hours |
| Wilhelmus à Brakel, The Christian’s Reasonable Service, vol 2:191-438; vol 3:3-33; 4:275-300 | 277 | 11 hours |
| John Murray, Redemption Accomplished and Applied, part 2, page 79-181 | 102 | 5 hours |
|
Geoff Thomas, The Holy Spirit |
255 | 10.5 hours |
Additional Reading for ThM students:
- Sinclair Ferguson, The Holy Spirit
- Herman Bavinck, Reformed Dogmatics, vol 3:485-595
Calvin’s Institutes:
- Translations: Beveridge; Allen vol 1&2; Battles
- Lane, A Reader’s Guide to Calvin’s Institutes
- Audio edition of the Institutes
- Battles, Analysis of the Institutes
- Beach, Piety’s Wisdom: A Summary of Calvin’s Institutes
- Hall & Lillback, eds., A Theological Guide to Calvin’s Institutes
Recommended Reading:
All assignments are due on Saturday at midnight.
Week 1 (Aug. 27-31): 2.5 hours
The Study of the Holy Spirit
Introductions
The Holy Spirit in Our Past
The Nature of the Holy Spirit
Week 2 (Sept. 3-7): 5.5 hours
The Work of the Holy Spirit in Creation and Common Grace
The Order of the Application of Salvation
Is There an Ordo?
Ordo Salutis & Assurance of Salvation
Week 3: (Sept. 10-14): 4.5 hours
Union with Christ (1): Concepts and Images
The Lord's Supper & Union with Christ
Union with Christ (2): Roots and Realization
Aspects of Union with Christ
Week 4 (Sept. 17-21): 3.5 hours
The General Call of the Gospel
Neophytus & the Gospel Offer
Preparatory Grace and the Spirit of Conviction
Preparatory Grace & the Jailor
Week 5 (Sept. 24-28): 4.5 hours
Effectual Calling (1): Exposition and Explanation
ανωθεν
Effectual Calling (2): Sovereign Grace and Human Agency
God's Revealed and Secret Will
Week 6 (Oct. 1-5): Midterm Exam; 7 hours
Reading Break (Oct. 8-12)
Week 7 (Oct. 15-19): 5.4 hours
Conversion (1): Repentance unto Life
Repentance
Conversion (2): Faith in Jesus Christ
Unable to Believe
Week 8 (Oct. 22-26): 4 hours
Conversion (3): The Origin and Exercise of Faith
Parables, Miracles, Repentance
Justification (1): Righteousness in Christ Alone
Paul & James
Week 9 (Oct. 29-Nov. 2): 4.5 hours
Justification (2): Survey and Interactions with Other Views
Active Obedience of Christ & Our Justification
Adoption
Adoption & the Roman Practice
Week 10: (Nov. 5-9): 3.4 hours
Sanctification (1): Holiness by Grace
Definitive & Progressive Sanctification
Sanctification (2): Controversies about Holiness
The Master Key to Unlocking Victory in the Christian Life
Week 11 (Nov. 12-16): 4.5 hours
Sanctification (3): Cultivating Holiness
Sanctification & Assurance
Assurance of Salvation
The Witness of the Holy Spirit
Week 12 (Nov. 19-23): 3.7 hours
Preservation and Perseverance (1): Promises and Warnings
Incipient Declension
Preservation and Perseverance (2): Resting and Running
Thomas Cranmer
Thanksgiving Break (Nov. 22-23)
Week 13 (Dec. 10-14): 7 hours
Final Exam