Dr. Michael J. Svigel HT200A, History of

Office: Todd 101C, (214) 887-5389 Doctrine, 2 hrs.

Email: msvigel@dts.edu Spring 2015

Dallas Theological Seminary Wed., 8:35-10:25 a.m.

HISTORY OF DOCTRINE

SYLLABUS

I. COURSE DESCRIPTION

A study of the historical development of selected doctrines, with attention to the development of each

theological theme from the church fathers to the present day (DTS Catalogue).

II. COURSE OBJECTIVES

A. The student will know the historical development of the major branches of systematic theology. This objective will be accomplished through thoughtfully reading the

course materials, attending course lectures, and participating in class discussion. It

will be assessed through an objective final exam.

B. The student will understand the catalytic issues in the formulation of doctrines and

dogmas, thus being able to not only know when and how theological conceptions

have developed, but also why they developed. This objective will be accomplished

through reading, course lectures, and class discussion. It will be assessed through a

written essay on doctrinal development.

C. The student will analyze the validity of doctrinal developments. This objective will

be accomplished through class and small group discussion based on lectures and

reading. It will be assessed through a written essay on doctrinal development.

E. The student will synthesize the development of a branch of systematic theology

throughout the history of the church, thus giving specific expression to his or her

theory of doctrinal development. This objective will be accomplished and assessed

through a written essay on doctrinal development.

III. COURSE TEXTBOOKS

A. Required

Allison, Gregg R. Historical Theology: An Introduction to Christian Doctrine. Grand Rapids:

Zondervan, 2011. (733 pages)

Svigel, Michael J. Unpublished Course Notes. [Provided online as PDF.]

B. Suggested

Hannah, John D. Our Legacy: The History of Christian Doctrine. Colorado Springs:

NavPress, 2001.

Svigel, Michael J. RetroChristianity: Reclaiming the Forgotten Faith. Wheaton: Crossway, 2012.

(NOTE: Only three chapters of reading is due from this book, so consider borrowing rather

than purchasing it.)

IV. COURSE REQUIREMENTS

A. Reading Assignments (50% total)

The student should read the required texts according to the course schedule below. No reading

report is necessary if the student believes, in good faith, that he or she has completed at least

90% of the reading by the end of finals week. If the student has completed less that 90% of

the reading, he or she will report to the professor by email the approximate percentage

completed, rounded up to the nearest 10%.

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B. Final Exam (25%)

One objective final exam will be given at the end of the semester covering major

developments in the history of doctrine through the patristic, medieval, reformation, and

modern eras. This exam will consist of a variety of multiple choice, matching, brief answer,

and/or true or false questions. It will be a closed book, closed-note exam. The final exam will

be available on Canvas by the first day of final exam week and must be taken by the last day

of final exam week.

C. Written Assignment (25%)

The student will write an 8 to 10 page paper entitled A Theory of Doctrinal Development.

In the first 3 to 4 pages of the paper the student will articulate the students understanding of

how to evaluate whether doctrinal developments as legitimate, illegitimate, binding, or non-

binding. In this discussion the student must indicate how he or she would distinguish between

the unchanging core of orthodox dogmas and the developing content of contextualized

doctrines. In 5 to 6 pages the student will select one of the following branches of systematic

theology and trace the fixed, unchangeable elements as well as the flexible developments of

the doctrine through the patristic, medieval, reformation, and modern eras: Bibliology,

Trinitarianism, Christology, Pneumatology, Anthropology and Hamartiology, Soteriology,

Ecclesiology, and Eschatology.

V. COURSE SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

DTS does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the operation of any of its programs and

activities. To avoid discrimination the student is responsible for informing the Coordinator of Services

for Students with Disabilities and the course instructor of any disabling condition that will require

modifications.

VI. COURSE POLICIES

A. Letter/Numerical Grade Scale

A+ 99-100 B+ 91-93 C+ 83-85 D+ 75-77 F 0-69

A 96-98 B 88-90 C 80-82 D 72-74

A- 94-95 B- 86-87 C- 78-79 D- 70-71

B. Weight of Course Requirements for Grading

Reading 50%

Final Exam 25%

Paper 25%

100%

C. Class Participation

Class sessions are intended to include the interaction of class members. The student is encouraged

to participate in class and group discussions for her or his own learning and enrichment. All

comments or questions should be collegial, polite, and respectful.

D. Use of Electronics

To promote class participation and to avoid distraction, the use of electronic equipment

including cell phones, audio or video players, recording devices (except for recording lectures for

personal use only), or internet browsing and text messagingis prohibited during class. Students

may use laptop computers only for taking notes during lectures. Exceptions to this prohibition

must be approved by the professor in advance.

E. Terms of Assignments

HT200A, History of Doctrine 3

Spring 2015

1. Work Related to Previous or Parallel Course Work. Work that has been done (or is being

done) for other classes may not be used to earn credit in this class. However, students are

encouraged to wisely use ministry- or work-related preparation in concert with coursework,

and if minor adjustments to course requirements can be made to accommodate this

arrangement, the professor will be open to reasonable proposals.

2. Plagiarism. Take note that plagiarism (copying from Internet, articles, or books) or any form

of deception or cheating is strictly prohibited and can be grounds for expulsion from the

Seminary. All sources should be fully documented and quotation marks used when

appropriate. See www.plagiarism.org for current issues in plagiarism. Ignorance of guidelines

is not a defense against charges of plagiarism.

3. Late Assignments. All assignments, unless otherwise noted, are to be turned in at the

beginning of the designated class. Without a valid excuse, late homework may lose five points

per day of classes.

F. Absences

Students are expected to attend class sessions and to hold fellow students accountable to this

requirement. Excessive absences will increase the likelihood of missing in-class quizzes, greatly

reducing a students grade. Penalties for excessive non-attendance may also be assigned by the

professor according to the Student Handbook.

G. Guest Instructors

Qualified guest instructors will occasionally be invited to lecture on certain topics throughout the

semester (e.g., a textbook author, an expert on a particular area of discussion, Graduate Teaching

Assistants, Ph.D. students, fellow faculty members, etc.). The professor may not be present for a

guest instructors lecture. Students are expected to extend Christian hospitality, respect, and

encouragement to guest lecturers.

Date Lecture and Discussion Topics Reading and Assignments Due

1/14 Course Introduction

Doctrinal Development: Issues, Questions, and

Problems.

1/21 Theories of Doctrinal Development Read Allison pp. 2234.

Read Svigel, RetroChristianity, chapters

46.

1/28 Developments in Bibliology (Authority, Tradition,

Canonicity, Inerrancy, Interpretation) Read Allison pp. 37184.

2/4 Continued Read Svigel, Course Notes, Part 1:

Bibliology

2/11 Developments in Trinitarianism (Christology,

Pneumatology) Read Allison pp. 187253; 365449

2/18 Continued Read Svigel, Course Notes, Part 2:

Trinitarianism

2/25 Developments in Anthropology and Hamartiology

(Creation, Fall, Depravity) Read Allison pp. 254362

3/4 Continued Read Svigel, Course Notes, Part 3:

Anthropology and Hamartiology

3/9

3/20 WEC/Spring Break

No Classes

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3/25 Developments in Soteriology (Atonement, Means of

Grace, Extent of Salvation, Predestination) Read Allison pp. 453561

4/1 Continued Read Svigel, Course Notes, Part 4:

Soteriology

4/8 Developments in Ecclesiology (Polity, Church and State,

Sacraments) Read Allison pp. 565680

4/15 Continued Read Svigel, Course Notes, Part 5:

Ecclesiology

4/22 Developments in Eschatology (Millennialism, Personal

Eschatology) Read Allison pp. 683733

***All Graduating Seniors Assignments

Due

4/29 Continued Read Svigel, Course Notes, Part 6:

Eschatology

5/4

5/8 Final Exam Week

Due: Final Exam (online at Canvas)

Due: A Theory of Doctrinal Development

Paper

Note: The professor reserves the right to make modifications to the above schedule.