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RP114N, Survey of Theology
3 Semester Hours
Fall 2016
Online Course
Mr. William Peycke, M. Div.
will.peycke@calvary.edu
I. DESCRIPTION
An introductory survey of the major areas of systematic theology from a
dispensational, premillennial perspective. The course is designed to provide a basis
for further study of theology.
II. OBJECTIVES
The student will achieve the following learning outcomes:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
Understand why and how Christians should study theology.
Compare theological disciplines and systems.
Describe key doctrines and their interrelationship with one another.
Define key theological terms and issues.
Memorize Scripture relating to the doctrines studied.
Defend the importance of sound theology and doctrine.
Discuss theological issues and viewpoints.
Contrast the basic elements of Dispensationalism and Covenant Theology.
Apply biblical doctrine by worshiping and serving the one, triune God in light of
his majesty and grace.
J. Discover the riches of knowing God.
K. Develop the habit of regular Scripture reading, reflection, and prayer as the heart
of true theology.
III. COURSE REQUIREMENTS
A. Scripture memory. Key verses will be memorized in conjunction with each
study section and quoted to a mentor or other accountability person. Quotation
should demonstrate mastery of the text and long-term retention, not simply
familiarity.
Our Mission: To Live According to a Biblical Worldview and Serve
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Fall 2016
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B. Reading. You are expected to complete the assigned reading from the Bible and
course texts (Couch and Hughes) each week. This includes reading through the
book of Acts six times. Listening to an audio Bible is also acceptable.
All reading will be reported by the reading due date. Your integrity as a Christian
is at stake when making this report (as well as the Scripture memory report), so it
is up to you to be truthful. Remember Proverbs 12:22, “Lying lips are an
abomination to the Lord, but those who deal faithfully are His delight.”
C. Study questions and definitions. These should be considered “essay” or “short
answer” questions. Most definitions can be answered with one or two sentences;
most questions will need one or two paragraphs. This is an “open book”
assignment meant to be completed in conjunction with your reading assignments.
Answer questions in your own words as much as possible and indicate appropriate
citation when quoting from the course texts. Along with the reading, these
assignments form the core learning component of this course and should be given
utmost attention and diligence.
D. Forum participation and unit reflections. The forum exists to provide
interaction with the instructor and other students over the course material. The
unit reflections provide an opportunity for you to consider what you have learned
and the implications for your own life. Take advantage of both of these learning
tools to increase the personal benefit you glean from this course.
E. Topic reading and paper. For further study on the person and nature of God,
read Knowing God by J.I. Packer and complete the Knowing God Journal. (The
journal is out of print but is available at Half.com, Amazon.com, and other online
booksellers). To receive the greatest benefit from these devotional readings, a few
chapters are due each week. Please note that, while completing the journal is
required for full credit (not to mention full benefit), what you write in the journal
is between you and God and will not be submitted to the instructor.
After completing the book and journal, write a brief reflection/response paper
(two-three pages double spaced) discussing highlights from Knowing God and
personal reflections on how this course has impacted your view of God. You will
need to upload this paper as a Word document or pdf.
F. Final Exam. At the conclusion of the course, you will be required to write out,
from memory, definitions for fifty key theological terms. Unlike the sections of
study questions and definitions (above), the final exam is not open book.
IV. COURSE STRATEGIES
A. Completing Assignments. It is suggested that you use a word processor, such as
Microsoft Word, in order to type all of your responses to the assignments. There
are two reasons to do this: 1) you can save your documents for your own personal
RP114N Survey of Theology
Fall 2016
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use later after the course has been completed; and 2) it is easier and safer to copy
and paste your responses from a word document than to compose your responses
online. By doing this, you will avoid any type of internet service problems in the
event that you become disconnected in the middle of typing an answer. You will
not lose your work, and you can maximize your time online by doing much of
your work while offline.
B. Participation and Communication: See attendance policy in the college catalog.
Each person in the course is not only required to be primarily self-directed, but
they are also expected to participate and interact with others in the course. In
onsite classes there is often a great deal of communication, discussion and
learning from one another. Cooperative learning and community building in
online courses comes primarily through threaded discussions using the Forum but
is also enhanced by using the personal profiles, email messages, and phone calls
as appropriate. It is the primary responsibility of students to take the initiative in
contacting the instructor to discuss problems or concerns that they are having and
seek the best ways to resolve the issues.
C. Scripture Reading. Read and consider the biblical text before consulting course
texts or commentaries. It is recommended that you read from your own Bible
rather than from a website, app, or Bible software. Electronic Bibles are useful for
many aspects of study, but reading from, underlining, and making notes in your
Bible will improve your ability to correlate themes and issues within Acts as well
as to use your Bible in future study and ministry.
D. Personal Integrity. Many of the assignments in this course (particularly the
reading and memorizing) depend completely on your integrity. So please be
honest – not for a grade or degree, but for the sake of your conscience, God’s
glory, and the eternal reward of pleasing your Father.
E. Paper Format. All class papers must follow the Turabian style according to A
Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 8th edition
and the Calvary Style Guide, 2015 update.
F. Plagiarism. Plagiarism is defined as copying any part of a book or paper without
identifying the author. This also includes taking another person’s ideas and
presenting them as your own.
G. Disabilities Statement. Students with disabilities have the responsibility of
informing the DSS Coordinator (dss@calvary.edu) of any disabling condition that
may require support.
H. Learning Center. The Learning Center (learning@calvary.edu), located in the
library building, is dedicated to providing free academic assistance for all CBC
and CTS students. Student tutors aid with all facets of the writing process, tutor in
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Fall 2016
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various subject areas, prepare students for exams and facilitate tests. Please take
advantage of this service.
IV. GRADING
The final grade will be calculated as an average of the total possible points. See
grading scale in the college catalog. Course work is weighted as follows:
20 points: Introduction and Overview
50 points: Scripture Memory (10 verses @ 5 points each)
175 points: Theology Reading (7 sections @ 25 points each)
350 points: Study Questions (7 sections @ 50 points each)
105 points: Forum and Reflections (7 weeks @ 15 points each)
110 points: Knowing God Reading and Journal (22 chapters @ 5 points each)
90 points: Knowing God Response Paper
100 points: Final Exam
Total Possible Points: 1,000
V. MATERIALS
A. Bible. The Bible is a required textbook in every course at Calvary University. To
facilitate academic level study, students are required to use for assignments and
research an English translation or version of the Bible based on formal
equivalence (meaning that the translation is generally word-for-word from the
original languages), including any of the following: New American Standard
(NASB), English Standard Version (ESV), New King James (NKJV), or King
James (KJV). Other translations and versions based on dynamic equivalence
(paraphrases, and thought-for-thought translations like NLT and NIV) may be
used as supplemental sources. Please ask the professor if you have questions
about a particular translation or version.
B. Required Reading. Chapter assignments for Enns, Little, and Packer are listed in
each study section along with links to additional articles.
Enns, Paul. 2008. The Moody Handbook of Theology. Rev. ed. Chicago: Moody.
ISBN: 9780802434340 Retail price $39.99, Kindle price $15.38
Little, Paul. 2008. Know What You Believe. 5th ed. Downers Grove: InterVarsity.
ISBN: 9780830834235 Retail price $16.00, Kindle price $7.70
Packer, J.I. 2003. Knowing God. London: Hodder & Stoughton.
ISBN: 9780340863541 Retail price $12.79, Kindle price $11.44, older
editions published by IVP also available
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Fall 2016
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________ and Carol Nystrom. 2000. Knowing God Journal. Downers Grove:
InterVarsity. ISBN: 9780830811854 Retail price $8.00, as low as $4.00
used from Amazon.com or Half.com
VI. COURSE SCHEDULE:
Introduction to Theology
Week 1
Bibliology and Theology Proper
Week 2
Christology and Pneumatology
Week 3
Anthropology and Soteriology
Week 4
Ecclesiology
Week 5
Angelology and Eschatology
Week 6
Theological Systems
Week 7
Response Paper and Final Exam
Week 8