Baltijas Reformātu Teoloģijas Seminārs

About Professor:

 Rev. Larry Sibley is a lecturer in Practical Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary (Philadelphia, US). Larry Sibley has also taught “Pastoral Care” and “Theology of Worship” at Baltic Reformed Theological Seminary in Riga. 

Course Objectives:

1. Cognitive:

To provide a biblical-theological understanding of the nature and work of the Church, along with an understanding of  Reformed church polity so that students can be equipped to lead the church in the 21st century.

2. Affective:

To stimulate appreciation and enthusiasm for the church as Christ’s body serving him in the world.

Required Reading:

1) E. P. Clowney, The Church. InterVarsity Press, 1995

2) Harvie M. Conn Evangelism: Doing Justice and Preaching Grace. Zondervan, 1982

3) John Calvin, The Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 4, Chapters   1-4,8,9,11,12, 14-17. (1559 edition, any version or translation); the Beveridge English translation is online at http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/institutes.toc.html

4) Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapters 23,25-31 http://www.opc.org/wcf.html

5) Hart, D.G., “The Church in Evangelical Theologies, Past and Future.” Pages 23-40 in The Community of the Word: Toward an Evangelical Ecclesiology (ed. Mark Husbands and Daniel J. Treier. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2005). http://www.ivpress.com/title/exc/2797-1.pdf

6) Pope Paul VI, Vatican II, 11/21/1964, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (Lumen Gentium) http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19641121_lumen-gentium_en.html

7) Augsburg Confession, Articles 5, 7, 8, 14, 18; and the Apology/Defense Articles 7, 8, 14, 18.
    http://www.bookofconcord.org/augsburgconfession.php cross links available to Apology

8) Fr. George Dragas,  “Orthodox Ecclesiology in Outline” Pages 195-92 in The Greek Orthodox Theological Review: 26.3 (1981). http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/general/dragas.aspx
 

Supplemental videotapes:
Mark VanderHart, Lectures on Ecclesiology, BRTS video tapes from 2002, sections 5-10.

Course requirements:

1. Report on two of the required textbooks/reading and write a 1 page response paper on each (due at the beginning of lectures,  September 21). 10% of Grade

2. Write an 8 - 10 page paper on one of the topics or biblical texts covered in this course. This is a research paper and should demonstrate that you have mastered your subject. You should have at least 6 references (due November 2) 30% of Grade

3. Attend the BRTS Preaching Conference (October 22-23 in Riga) and write a 2 page response paper 10% of Grade (write in your report that you attended the entire conference) If you are not able to attend this conference, read Edmund P. Clowney, Preaching and Biblical Theology, Eerdmans, 1961, and write a 2 page response paper. 10% of Grade

4. There will be a final exam. (a question on the amount of reading will be asked) 50% of Grade

www.brts.edu.lv