On the reading of books
May 27, 2007 by testertwo
Filed under Reading Lists
Some time ago Al Mohler posted some excellent thoughts regarding The Reading of Books. You can check it out HERE.
Reformed Spirituality
The following books were used during the 2006-2007 academic year at Westminster Theological Seminary, in the course on Reformed Spirituality :
From the seminary catalog:
Reformed Spirituality
Purpose:
• To acquaint students with the distinctives of Reformed spirituality
• To encourage students toward greater communion with God in faith and life
• To highlight the relationship between Reformed spirituality and the piety that dominates much of the evangelical world and popular religion
Topics covered include the doctrine of the church; sanctification; worship; the Lord’s Day and its observance; the means of grace (preaching, prayer, the sacraments of baptism and communion);
family worship; Christian liberty; the doctrines of vocation and providence; the Reformed world and life view; and the Christian in society.
The Westminster Standards
The following books were used during the 2006-2007 academic year at Westminster Theological Seminary, in the course on The Westminster Standards taught by Sinclair B. Ferguson, Distinguished Visiting Professor of Systematic Theology:
From the seminary catalog:
The Westminster Standards
Purpose:
• To exposit the theology of the Westminster Assembly by means of a study of the Westminster Confession of Faith
Topics covered include the origin and convening of the Westminster Assembly.
Christian Ethics
The following books were used during the 2006-2007 academic year at Westminster Theological Seminary, in the course on Christian Ethics taught by William Edgar, Professor of Apologetics:
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From the seminary catalog:
Christian Ethics
Purpose:
• To study and reflect on our obligations toward God’s revealed will
• To arrive at certain convictions about key moral issues facing the church today
• To grow in wisdom, the ability to discern good and evil in every situation
Topics covered include the biblical foundation for ethics, an introduction to different types of ethical systems, hermeneutical questions, Christians and the public square, sanctification, the clash of obligations, calling, stewardship, sexual ethics, bioethical issues, race matters, ethics in cyberspace, just war theory, and ecology.
Biblical Anthropology – Topics in the Doctrine of Man
The following books were used during the 2006-2007 academic year at Westminster Theological Seminary, in the course on Topics in the Doctrine of Man taught by Vern Poythress, Professor of New Testament Interpretation:
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From the seminary catalog:
Topics in the Doctrine of Man
Purpose:
• To deepen understanding of man, and our theological method, through use of biblical theology and linguistics
Topics covered include the relation of classical theological anthropology to biblical-theological method, including theology of sonship in Paul and John; special attention to the image of God;
dichotomy and trichotomy; the covenant with Adam; and the nature of sin.
Doctrine of Salvation II
The following books were used during the 2006-2007 academic year at Westminster Theological Seminary, in the course Doctrine of Salvation II taught by Lane G. Tipton, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology:
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From the seminary catalog:
Doctrine of Salvation II
Purpose:
• To deepen understanding of the application of the salvation applied by the triune God in Christ in both its central focus and comprehensive scope
Topics covered include the relationship between eschatology and soteriology; the meaning of, and relationship between, historia salutis and ordo salutis; the function of union with Christ in Reformed soteriology; the distinct-yet-inseparable benefits of union with Christ (e.g., justification, sanctification, and adoption); a survey of biblical eschatology; and theology of the sacraments. Special attention will be given from an exegetical perspective to the redemptive-historical character and systematic theological implications of Reformed soteriology and eschatology.
Doctrine of Salvation I
The following books were used during the 2006-2007 academic year at Westminster Theological Seminary, in the course Doctrine of Salvation I taught by Lane G. Tipton, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology:
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From the seminary catalog:
Doctrine of Salvation I
Purpose:
• To deepen understanding of the salvation accomplished by the triune God in Christ in both its central focus and comprehensive scope
Topics covered include plan of salvation, covenant of grace, and person and work of Christ.
Doctrine of God
The following books were used during the 2006-2007 academic year at Westminster Theological Seminary, in the course Doctrine of God taught by K. Scott Oliphint, Professor of Apologetics and Systematic Theology:
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From the seminary catalog:
Doctrine of God
Purpose:
• To grasp that we can know nothing of God except he first revealed himself to us
• To recognize that the doctrine of God (theology proper) seeks to unpack the teaching of Scripture and not directly the problems set by philosophy
• To value those ecumenical creeds of the church which give classic expression to vital elements of the doctrine of God, and whose doctrine is evident in the Westminster Standards
• To embrace the doctrine of God not as a bare set of propositions but as the very personal knowledge of God so essential to worship and service and so characteristic of a Reformed world and life view
Topics covered include revelation, names and attributes of God, and God as Trinity.
Urban Mission Seminar
The following books were used during the 2006-2007 academic year at Westminster Theological Seminary, in the course Urban Mission Seminar:
From the seminary catalog:
Urban Mission Seminar
Purpose:
• To guide students in the use of critical analysis when evaluating ministries or strategizing for new ministries
• To provide oppor tunities for students to learn from the life experiences of other students
• To present challenging situations facing those in ministry for students to evaluate in terms of theology, social sciences, and mission
Topics covered will change every semester so students can take the course more than once. These topics will include ministry models, mission case studies, reconciliation issues, and presentation of books for discussion.
Missions and Mercy Ministries
The following books were used during the 2006-2007 academic year at Westminster Theological Seminary, in the course on Missions and Mercy Ministries taught by Manuel Ortiz, Professor of Practical Theology, Emeritus, and Susan Baker, Adjunct Professor of Practical Theology:
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From the seminary catalog:
Missions and Mercy Ministries
Purpose:
• To acquaint students with biblical material in reference to doing community analysis
• To guide students into ways of discovering the will of God for their communities
• To challenge students to uncover personal and systemic issues in society affecting the lives of people living in the city
• To assist students in utilizing demographic information for the purpose of understanding sociological realities as well as theological implications and missiological applications
• To provide students with field experience in assessing needs for urban ministries
Topics covered include demographics as an applied science, theological and missiological reasons for demographics and mercy ministry, definitions, community analysis, case studies, reasons
for mercy/compassion ministr y and community development, clarification of issues leading towards community development, liberation theology, and community development.
