BIBLE, CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY AND VOCATION
Religion 300
Summer 2009
Instructor:
Dr. Mark D. Tranvik
230 Memorial Hall
612-330-1571 (w); 763-533-0349 (h)
e-mail: tranvik@augsburg.edu
Time:
6:00-9;30, Monday and Wednesday
Place:
Foss 43
OBJECTIVES
1. Provide class members with a basic understanding of vocation as it has been
understood in the Bible and Christian tradition.
2. Have students reflect critically on what it means to have a vocation and
what that means for how they view the world and live their lives.
3. Provide students with an introduction to Judaism and Islam
BOOKS
Bible (Access Bible is preferred)
Cory and Landry, The Christian Theological Tradition, 3rd edition
Sittser, The Will of God as a Way of Life
Other reading materials required for the course will be provided in class.
FORMAT
The class will be both lecture and discussion. Your role in asking questions,
discussing texts and presenting papers is crucial. Please come to class
prepared and ready to talk about the material.
EVALUATION
1. Read your assignments before coming to class and bring the readings to
class and be prepared to discuss them. Participation will be part of your
grade.
2. Attendance is required and will be an essential part of your grade. One
full point will be subtracted for each absence. Please contact me if there is
an emergency.
3. Your grade will consist of the following parts:
Mid-term exam (100 points)
The final exam (200 points)
Quizzes, short essays (approx. 100 points total)
Active class participation (A, TUS, U)
4. Your work in this course is governed by the Augsburg honesty policy as
stated in the Augsburg Handbook. Cheating or plagiarism will not be tolerated
and will result in failure.
If you have special needs or circumstances, please tell us at the beginning of
the term.
DATE
TOPIC
ASSIGNMENT
Introduction
The Old Testament
The God Who Speaks
Read Genesis 1-3
Exodus 1-20
CTT 2, 3
July 13
Kings, Prophets
Priests
II Samuel 7-12,
Amos, CTT 4, 5
July 15
The Calling of Jesus:
Prophet, Priest and King
The Gospel of Luke
CTT 6
July 20
Paul and the First
Christians
Galatians
CTT 7
July 22
Mid-term exam
Introduction to Islam
CTT 12
July 27
Martin Luther
CTT 18
July 29
Vocation
Sittser, 19-106
August 3
Vocation
Sittser, 109-200
August 5
Final Exam
July
8
Note: CTT refers to the book The Christian Theological Tradition