AP401 – Contemporary Theology
Syllabus
Brother Bryan Samms
I.
Course Description
This course provides a look at the various positions today, from fundamentalism to
modernism. Special emphasis will be given to the challenges facing fundamentalism.
Attention will be given to a Biblical philosophy of separation, Biblical warnings about
false teachers, and a Biblical pattern for ministry in light of an ever-changing religious
landscape.
II.
Course Objectives
This course will endeavor to:
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3.
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III.
Ground students in the truth through Biblical study.
Cause students to firm their positions through research and writing.
Identify contemporary error by careful examination and documentation.
Provide Biblical solutions to these problems.
Be better as a minister of the Gospel through clear application of truth learned in
class to contemporary situations.
Course Requirements
1. Lecture Notes and Supplemental handouts can be found at samms.wcbc.edu. Each
student is expected to download these notes to their computers or print them for a
notebook. This can be checked at any time by the professor.
2. If a student misses a class for any reason, it is the responsibility of the student to get the
notes from another student or the instructor.
3. Textbooks: You are required to read the textbooks for the class.
Goetsch, John, Contemporary Compromise (Striving Together Publications; Lancaster, CA)
Chappell, Paul and Goetsch, John, The Savior-Sensitive Church (Striving Together Publications;
Lancaster, CA)
Pickering, Ernest D., The Tragedy of Compromise (BJU Press; Greenville, SC)
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4. Quizzes: Each student will be required to read the text books in their entirety. Students
will be quizzed over the reading material according to the following schedule.
(Contemporary Compromise – CC; Savior-Sensitive Church – SC; Tragedy of
Compromise – TC)
Quiz 1 – February 8
Quiz 2 – February 22
Quiz 3 – March 15
Quiz 4 – March 29
Quiz 5 – April 5
Quiz 6 – April 12
Quiz 7 – April 19
Quiz 8 – April 26
Quiz 9 – May 3
Chapters 1 – 4 (CC)
Chapters 5 – 7 (CC)
Introduction – Chapter 1 (TC)
Chapters 2 – 3 (TC)
Chapters 4 – 5 (TC)
Chapters 6 – 7 (TC)
Chapters 1 – 3 (SC)
Chapters 4 – 5 (SC)
Chapters 6 – 7 (SC)
5. Project: Each student will write a 1500 word (minimum) paper. This paper will be due
in class on Thursday, November 15th. This paper will address one of the topics listed
below:
1. Should you separate from Southern Baptists?: This should include a history of
the Independent Baptist Movement as it relates to the Southern Baptist
Convention. Why did we separate? Are the principles still the same? Is the
Convention liberal? Why?
2. Billy Graham and Ecumenical Evangelism: This paper should include some
of the historical data from the Billy Graham compromises as well as Biblical
principles to defend or refute his actions.
3. Why is the Seeker Sensitive Church Wrong: You should deal with current
ministries who change their music, standards, church discipline, and Bible
versions to accommodate the crowd. Is this right or wrong? You will need
Biblical support for all of your positions.
a. All projects must have a cover page, be double-spaced, and use size 12
“Times New Roman” font. The paper must be in turabian format. The
paper will be graded according to the following rubric.
Issue
Format: Turabian format, appropriate title
page, font, footnotes, page numbers,
bibliography.
Sources: Must cite five credible sources.
Wikipedia does not count. If you are using
a webpage, it must be notated correctly.
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Points Possible
10
25
Grammar: Spelling is correct. Grammar
is appropriate
Content: Follow the expectations of the
assignment. Give Biblical support. Give
sound reasoning and advice.
25
40
b. The following websites can assist you with Turabian format:
http://www.press.uchicago.edu/books/turabian/turabian_citationguide.html
http://www.eturabian.com/turabian/index.html
6. Tests: You will have three written exams in this class. The Midterm and the Final exam
will cover lecture material.
a. Midterm Exam – Wednesday, March 6th
b. Verses Exam – Monday, March 18th
Amos 3:3; Romans 16:17; II Corinthians 14, 17; Galatians 1:8-9; II Thessalonians 3:6; Jude
3; II John 9-10
c. Final Exam – According to Exam Schedule.
IV.
Spiritual and Academic Integrity
1. Attendance: Students may not miss more than 15% of the class meetings. It is your
responsibility to keep up with your attendance on the portal. You will be notified by my
office when you have missed 10%. You will be automatically dropped from the class at
15%. Only the academic office can help you if you reach the 15% mark.
2. Academic Honesty:
a. Cheating is lying. It dishonors God. Don’t do it.
b. Plagiarism - The practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them
off as one's own. Please do your own work. There are no short cuts to a successful
life and ministry. Do the work. Laziness and lack of character will catch up with
you somewhere.
V.
Grading
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No work will be accepted late.
Tests – 45%
Quizzes – 30%
Projects – 25%
A Final Word: It is my privilege to be your instructor this semester. If there is any way that I
can be a help to you, please do not hesitate to call or email.
Office – (661) 946-4663 ext. 384
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Cell – (661) 492-3598
Email – bryan.samms@wcbc.edu
Twitter: bryansamms
Facebook: BryanAngie Samms
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