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ST517: Christology, Soteriology, EschatologyReformed Theological Seminary, Washington D.C.Fall 2018Howard GriffithOffice hours: Mondays 3-5PM, or by appointment.Please feel free to contact me at hgriffith@rts.eduCourse DescriptionThis course explores biblical doctrine from a systematic perspective. Topics include Christology, soteriologyand eschatology. Two books (not assigned reading) that may help you clarify Reformed theology are GreggR. Allison, Roman Catholic Theology and Practice: An Evangelical Assessment, and Roger E. Olsen,Arminian Theology, Myths and Realities. Roman Catholic and Arminian theologies are historic opponents ofthe Reformed tradition.Class MeetingsMonday, 7-9:30 PM, August 27th – December 10th. No class on September 3rd or October 8th (readingweek).Required Books1John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion; ISBN: 978-0664220280Sinclair B. Ferguson, The Whole Christ; ISBN: 9781433548000Richard B. Gaffin, By Faith, Not By Sight, Paul and the Order of Salvation, Second Edition; ISBN:9781596384439Anthony A. Hoekema, The Bible and the Future; ISBN: 9780802808516Gregory MacDonald ( Robin Parry), The Evangelical Universalist, 2nd Edition; ISBN: 9781620322390Donald Macleod, The Person of Christ; ISBN: 9780830815371Donald Macleod, Christ Crucified: Understanding the Atonement; ISBN: 9780830840618John Murray, Redemption Accomplished and Applied; ISBN: 9780802811431The Westminster Confession of Faith (WC)Other Required Reading (on the “Modules” section in Canvas)1A number of these titles are available as e-books. I recommend printed books for study (though I do notrequire that you purchase them). The titles by Calvin, Murray, Gaffin and Macleod are books you will almostcertainly want to read and reread. Likewise, the Westminster Confession of Faith.1
Richard B. Gaffin, “The last Adam, the life-giving Spirit”Jonathan Gibson, “For Whom Did Christ Die? Particularism and Universalism in the Pauline Epistles”Donald Macleod, “Definite Atonement and the Divine Decree”John Murray, Collected Writings, Vol. 2, selections on “Definitive Sanctification”James I. Packer, “Arminianisms”Fred Sanders, “Introduction to Christology: Chalcedonian Categories for the Gospel Narrative,” 1-36Francis Turretin, Institutes of Elenctic Theology, v. 2, selections.AssignmentsThe assignments will be weighted as indicated on the components listed below.1. Exams: Students will take 2 short essay exams that assess their understanding and articulation of thecourse lectures, reading assignments, and relevant creeds and confessions. These exams are open book,open notes. However, exam essays must be your own individual work. Group collaborations will result inautomatic failure of the course.See the Assignments section of the Canvas course homepage. Details will be discussed in class.The Mid-term exam (30%) is due, emailed to me by 11:59PM on October 20, 2018.The Final exam (30%) is due, emailed to me by 11:59PM on December 15, 2018.2. Reading report (20 %): Attached to the last exam, students will turn in a reading report that states thepercentage of assigned readings that they have read by the due date of the final exam. Total requiredreading 1,685 pages.3. M.Div. students will memorize and recite Westminster Shorter Catechism, questions and answers 20-38and report on this on the final exam.4. Theological essay (20 %): All students will write a brief theological essay (eight pages, double spaced,no more, no less) that compares two writings on justification. Specifics will be discussed in class. Drawingupon knowledge gained from lectures and readings, the paper should contain a clear thesis statement,follow a coherent outline, and address both theological and practical dimensions of the doctrine. The essayis due emailed to me by 11:59PM on December 21, 2017.If you would prefer, I will accept a 15 page, double space, research paper in place of the theological essay.However, I must approve your topic by October 5, 2018. No exceptions.Mid-term examFinal examReading ReportTheological Essay30%30%20%20%2
N.B. a failing grade on any of the above will result in failure of the course (F’s will not be averaged in). Seethe RTS grading scale in the Catalog, p. 51. For example, if you read less than 70% of the requiredreading, you will fail the course. (But as a theology student, why would you do that?)Academic Policies1. Late assignments: apart from exceptional circumstances, I will not accept late assignments for credit.2. Plagiarism: plagiarism, whether intentional or unintentional, will result in a failing grade for the course.Reading Assignments DueThe reading should be completed before the related class lecture and discussion.1. August 27.Macleod, “Definite Atonement and the Divine Decree” (36 pp.)Calvin, Institutes, Book 3, chapters 21-24. (66pp.)WCF, Chapter 3.No class September 3.2. September 10.Sanders, “Introduction to Christology,” 1-36.Gaffin, “The last Adam the life-giving Spirit”, pp. 191-211.Macleod, The Person of Christ, pp. 11-152.3. September 17.Person of Christ, pp. 155-264.WCF, Chapters 7-8.4. September 24.Macleod, Christ Crucified, pp. 15-129.5. October 1.Macleod, Christ Crucified, pp. 130-255.No class October 8 (reading week).6. October 15.Gibson, “For Whom Did Christ Die?”Ferguson, The Whole Christ, pp. 17-122.Mid-term exam due October 20.3
7. October 22.Ferguson, The Whole Christ, pp. 123-237.Gaffin, “The last Adam, the life-giving Spirit,” pp. 211-31.Murray, Redemption—Accomplished and Applied, pp. 79-87.Packer, “Arminianisms”8. October 29.Gaffin, By Faith, Not By Sight, all.Murray, Redemption—Accomplished and Applied, pp. 88-116.WCF, Chapter 10, 14, 15.9. November 5.Murray, “Definitive Sanctification” (not the same as the next reading below).Murray, Redemption—Accomplished and Applied, pp. 141-150.WCF, Chapters 13, 16.10. November 12.Murray, Redemption—Accomplished and Applied, pp. 117-140.Turretin, Institutes, 2: 646-656, and 669-675.WCF, Chapter 11.11. November 19.Catch up or something fun.12. November 26.Murray, Redemption—Accomplished and Applied, pp, 151-181.WCF, Chapters 12, 17.13. December 3.MacDonald, Evangelical Universalist, pp.1-177 only.Hoekema, The Bible and the Future, pp. 13-163.WCF, Chapter 32.14. December 10.Hoekema, The Bible and the Future, pp. 164-287.WCF, Chapter 33.Final exam due December 15.Theological Essay due December 21.4
Christology, Soteriology, EschatologyLecture OutlineAugust 271. The plan of salvation.a. The order of the divine decrees.b. Historic Christian views of the question.c. Unconditional (sovereign) election. Pactum salutis, Historia salutis, OrdosalutisSeptember 102. ChristologyThe gospel. First and last Adam. Challenges.a. Person of Christi.Covenant Mediator, Old and New Testaments. Threefold office.ii. Pre-existence.iii. Incarnation (historia salutis).September 17iv. Unipersonality1. Councils and controversies.2. The one Christ who acts.3. The flowering of the covenant.September 24b. Work of Christi. In suffering/humiliation1. Threefold office.2. Obedience.3. Atonement.a. Paradoxes of Scripture.b. Death as sacrifice offered to God motivated byGod’s love for guilty sinners.October 1c. Imputation.5
d. Apostolic doctrinei. Expiation.ii. Propitiation.iii. Reconciliation.iv. Redemption.v. Victory.vi. Summary: satisfaction*October 154. Definite Atonement.5. Free offer of the gospel.ii. In glory/exaltation1. Resurrection as the “redemption” of Christ2. Pentecost/Life-giving Spirit3. The threefold office continuesOctober 223. Soteriology (ordo salutis)a. Orientation to Soteriologyi. What is grace? RC, Reformed, Arminianii. Relationship of soteriology to eschatologyiii. The centrality of Christ’s resurrectionOctober 29b. Union with the resurrected Christi. Predestinarian, redemptive historical (representative), living(existential).ii. The two-fold benefit: justification and sanctification.iii. Context of union with Christ: calling and regeneration.iv. Realization of union with Christ: faith and repentance.November 5v. Benefits of union with Christ:1. Sanctification.November 126
2. Justification.November 19Catch up or something fun.November 263. Perseverance.4. Glorification.December 34. Eschatologya. Inaugurated and Future. Individual. Challenges.December 10b. Future eschatology.Course Objectives Related to MDiv* Student Learning OutcomesCourse: ST517Professor: Howard GriffithCampus: Washington D.C.Date:Fall 2018MDiv* Student Learning OutcomesIn order to measure the success of the MDiv curriculum, RTS has defined thefollowing as the intended outcomes of the student learning process. Each coursecontributes to these overall outcomes. This rubric shows the contribution of thiscourse to the MDiv outcomes.*As the MDiv is the core degree at RTS, the MDiv rubric will be used in thissyllabus.ArticulationBroadly understands and articulates knowledge, both oral(oral & written)and written, of essential biblical, theological, historical, andcultural/global information, including details, concepts, andframeworks.ScriptureSignificant knowledge of the original meaning of Scripture.Also, the concepts for and skill to research further into theoriginal meaning of Scripture and to apply Scripture to avariety of modern circumstances. (Includes appropriate useof original languages and hermeneutics; and integratestheological, historical, and cultural/global perspectives.)ReformedSignificant knowledge of Reformed theology and practice,Theologywith emphasis on the Westminster Standards.SanctificationDemonstrates a love for the Triune God that aids thestudent’s sanctification. trongTheological essay; essay examsModerateBiblical theology emphasized in lectures.StrongStress on Confession, history of each doctrine.StrongStrong doctrine leads to worship.7
Desire forWorldviewBurning desire to conform all of life to the Word of God.ModerateTheology implies worldview.WinsomelyReformedEmbraces a winsomely Reformed ethos. (Includes anappropriate ecumenical spirit with other Christians,especially Evangelicals; a concern to present the Gospel ina God-honoring manner to non-Christians; and a truth-inlove attitude in disagreements.)Ability to preach and teach the meaning of Scripture to bothheart and mind with clarity and enthusiasm.StrongReformation emphasis is on loving God andhumanity.Knowledgeable of historic and modern Christian-worshipforms; and ability to construct and skill to lead a worshipservice.Ability to shepherd the local congregation: aiding in spiritualmaturity; promoting use of gifts and callings; andencouraging a concern for non-Christians, both in Americaand worldwide.Ability to interact within a denominational context, within thebroader worldwide church, and with significant publicissues.MinimalBasic to all worship, but no practical training inleading worship.ModerateDoctrines are basic to the comfort that is eformation emphasis is on loving God andneighbor.8
Topics include Christology, soteriology and eschatology. Two books (not assigned reading) that may help you clarify Reformed theology are Gregg R. Allison, Roman Catholic Theology and Practice: An Evangelical Assessment, and Roger E. Olsen, Arminian Theology, Myths and Realities. Roman Catholic
