DST 311 UNITED METHODIST DOCTRINE
Saint Paul School of Theology
Instructor: Hal Knight
Summer, 2015
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will examine the origins of the Methodist doctrinal heritage in the theology of
John Wesley and subsequent theological developments in nineteenth and twentieth century
Methodism. Special attention will be given to Wesley's understanding of the Christian life, the
nature of grace, and the function and interrelation of means of grace. The impact of these central
Wesleyan concerns on other doctrinal areas and issues will be explored.
An important aspect of this study of Wesley's theology will be a consideration of the ways it
can be critically and constructively appropriated today. An acquaintance with historic and current
theologies in the Wesleyan tradition will facilitate this discussion.
The course will consist both of lectures and class discussions. Readings in Wesley's own
writings will be required, as well as an overview of the subsequent Wesleyan theological tradition.
The primary goal of this course is for students to critically understand Wesley's theology both
as a distinctive contribution to the larger Christian tradition and as a style of theological reflection
which has as its focus the Christian life.
DESIRED OUTCOMES
(1) Gain a thorough understanding of John Wesley’s theology.
(2) Understand the role of means of grace and spiritual disciplines in the Christian life.
(3) Develop an overall understanding of theological developments in
Wesleyan/Methodist traditions subsequent to Wesley.
(4) Explore some of the central theological issues raised by these traditions and their
implications for the church, mission, and practice of ministry today.
This course fulfills M. Div. student Learning Outcome # 2 through cultivating an ability to
demonstrate an informed understanding of the historical and doctrinal tradition of the Wesleyan
tradition. It also fulfills MACM SLO # 1 and MATS SLO # 2.
REQUIRED TEXTS
Albert C. Outler and Richard P. Heitzenrater, eds., John Wesley's Sermons
Thomas A. Langford, Practical Divinity, Vol. 1
Scott J. Jones, United Methodist Doctrine: The Extreme Center
Choose One:
Randy L. Maddox, Responsible Grace
Kenneth Collins. The Theology of John Wesley
Theodore Runyon, The New Creation
In addition a number of articles are assigned, posted on Moodle.
RECOMMENDED TEXTS
Ted A. Campbell, Methodist Doctrine: The Essentials (revised edition)
Henry H. Knight III, Eight Life-Enriching Practices of United Methodists
Paul Chilcote, Recapturing the Wesleys’ Vision
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
(1) Pre-Course Assignments: Read Jones, Introduction and Chapters 1-4
30%
1. A member of your church remarks, “It seems so divisive to talk about doctrine.
Why can’t we all believe what we want? After all, what really matters is what
we do, not what we think.” Using Chapters 1-2, how would you respond? Why,
and in what way, does doctrine matter? (4 pages)
2. Using Chapters 3-4, answer the following: Who is God? How do you know?
(4 pages) [Note: In using the book by Jones, you may either agree or disagree with him.
If you disagree, be sure to say why.]
The Pre-Course Assignments are to be posted on Moodle by Friday, July 17.
(2) Post-Class Assignments (Due August 7)
1. Careful reading of assigned texts
10%
Each student will turn in a list of assigned readings with an indication of the percentage
read of the pages assigned in each.
2. Essay (6 pages)
30%
This essay will require students to draw upon assigned readings, lectures,
and class discussions. Topic choices are posted on Moodle.
3. Paper. (7- 8 pages)
30%
Drawing on course texts, articles, lectures and discussions as appropriate, choose
two of the following and answer the question, “In what ways is or is not this
tradition faithfully Wesleyan, and why?”:
1. African American Methodism
2. The Holiness Movement
3. The Liberal Tradition
To make the case the paper will need to demonstrate familiarity with the theology
of John Wesley (and if appropriate Charles Wesley and John Fletcher) as well as
the traditions chosen.
These two written assignments will serve as evidence of student ability to demonstrate an
informed understanding of the historical and doctrinal tradition of the Wesleyan tradition. (M. Div.
Student Learning Outcome #2) I will also meet MACM SLO # 1 and MATS SLO # 2.
EVALUATION OF WRITTEN WORK
A: Clear, accurate, well organized; persuasively develops a theme or argument; contains
critical reflection such as analysis of ideas, insightful comparison, or constructive thought.
A-: Has most of the above characteristics, but not all are excellent.
B+: Has some good or excellent features, but contains a major weakness such as insufficiently
developed theme/thesis, inadequate analysis, lack of clarity, etc.
B: Has more than one major weakness.
B-: The weaknesses begin to outweigh the strengths.
C+: Adequate paper or a mix of good and bad elements.
C: Mostly weak or poor elements
[These criteria are based on a document from Duke Divinity School, 2003]
WRITTEN REQUIREMENTS
Papers should be typed, double-spaced, with one-inch margins on all sides. Format and style,
including footnotes/endnotes and bibliography, should be consistent throughout. Always use
citations when quoting or paraphrasing the words of another author (on this see "Integrity of
Work Submitted/Plagiarism" in the Handbook of Saint Paul School of Theology).
SPECIAL NEEDS
It is our commitment to make every reasonable effort to facilitate the learning of students capable
of graduate level seminary work. Any student who has a condition that may prevent full
demonstration of his/her abilities (e.g., difficulty seeing or hearing, dyslexia or other learning
disabilities) should contact the Assistant Director of Contextual Education (KC) or the Assistant
Dean (OKC) to begin the accommodation documentation process.
COURSE OUTLINE
PowerPoints for Lectures are Uploaded on Moodle
I. INTRODUCTION
1. The Sources of Wesley's Theology
Langford (9-19)
2. The Quadrilateral
Jones, Chapter 4
Maddox, Introduction and Chapter 1
II. THE WAY OF SALVATION
1. Prevenient Grace and the Awakened Sinner
Sermons: Original Sin (325-334)
God's Love to Fallen Man (475-484)
On Working Out Our Own Salvation (485-492)
The Spirit of Bondage and of Adoption (133-144)
Langford (20-30)
Maddox, Chapters 2-3
Runyon, Introduction and Chapter 2
Collins, Chapters 1-2
Jones, Chapter 5
2. Justification, New Birth, and Assurance
Sermons: Salvation by Faith (39-48)
The Way to the Kingdom (123-132)
Scriptural Christianity (97-110)
Justification by Faith (111-122)
The Marks of the New Birth (173-182)
The New Birth (335-346)
The Witness of the Spirit, II (393-404)
Langford (30-33)
Maddox, Chapters 4-7
7/20
7/20
7/20
Runyon, Chapter 2
Collins, Chapters 3-5
Jones, Chapter 6
3. Sanctification and Christian Perfection
Sermons: Christian Perfection (67-84)
The Law Established Through Faith, II (277-286)
On Sin in Believers (357-370)
The Scripture Way of Salvation (371-380)
The Repentance of Believers (405-418)
On the Wedding Garment (559-566)
Langford (33-37)
Maddox, Chapter 7
Runyon, Chapter 3 and Conclusion
Collins, Chapter 6
Jones, Chapter 7
4. Trinity, Creation and Coming Kingdom
Sermons: The End of Christ's Coming (441-450)
The New Creation (493-500)
Moodle: The General Spread of the Gospel
Maddox, Chapter 9
Runyon, Introduction and Chapter 1
Collins, Chapter 7
III. THE MEANS OF GRACE
1. The Nature of Grace
Sermons: On Living without God (567-572)
7/21
7/21
7/22
2. The Methodist Societies and Discipline
Sermons: Upon Our Lord's Sermon on the Mount, IV (193-206)
Upon Our Lord's Sermon on the Mount, V (207-222)
Upon Our Lord's Sermon on the Mount, VIII (239-254)
The Danger of Riches (451-464)
Causes of the Inefficacy of Christianity (550-557)
Runyon, Chapters 4-6
Jones, Chapter 9
7/22
3. The Sacraments: Lord’s Supper and Baptism
Sermons: The Means of Grace (157-172)
The Duty of Constant Communion (501-510)
7/22
Langford (37-42)
Maddox, Chapter 8
IV. THE WESLEYAN TRADITION
1. Early Methodist Theology
7/23
2. The African-American Methodist Tradition
Langford: pp. 102-104, 209-211
Moodle: Cone, "Sanctification, Liberation, and Black Worship"
Moodle: Dickerson, “African Methodism and the Revival of the
Wesleyan Tradition”
Moodle: Alexander, “Conversion and Sanctification in Nineteenth-Century
African American Wesleyan Women”
7/23
3. The Holiness Movement
7/23
Langford: Chapters 3, 4, 6
Moodle: Dayton, “’Good News to the Poor’: The Methodist Experience after Wesley”
4. The Role of Women in Methodism and the Holiness Movement
Moodle: Hardesty, Dayton, and Dayton, “Women in the Holiness Movement”
7/24
5. Liberal Methodism
(a) Personalist Theology
(b) Process Theology
Langford: Chapters 5, 7, 8, 9, 10
7/24
6. Contemporary Methodist Theologies
(a) Indigenous Theologies
(b) Evangelical Theology
Langford: Chapters 11, 12
7/24
V. CONCLUSION
Sermons:Catholic Spirit (299-310)
Jones, Chapter 10
7/24