This class is a continuing education opportunity from Concordia Theological Seminar, Fort Wayne, IN. It will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, Denver, CO, August 17–21, 2020 A+D. It is geared towards Lutheran pastors, but is also open to laity and other professional church workers. Click here for more information and to register.
And now, the syllabus:
Johann Gerhard on Exegesis, Study, and Preaching, 3 CEUs
August 17–21, 2020 A+D
Trinity Lutheran Church, Denver, CO
Dr. Benjamin Mayes
Concordia
Theological Seminary, 6600 N. Clinton St., Fort Wayne, IN 46825
Office phone:
260-452-2228; Mobile phone: 314-200-5236
I. COURSE DESCRIPTION
Johann Gerhard’s Theological Commonplaces I–II (On Sacred
Scripture, and On Interpreting Sacred Scripture), and Method of Theological
Study provide rich resources for pastors and engaged laity. Drawing from it and
other texts and practices in the era of Lutheran Orthodoxy (ca. 1580–1700),
students will deepen their understanding of Lutheran biblical interpretation,
gain habits for accurate biblical study, learn classic Lutheran approaches to
preaching and individual care of souls, and more.
II. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
By completing the requirements of this course, students will:
• Deepen their understanding
of Lutheran biblical interpretation.
• Gain habits for accurate
biblical study.
• Learn classic Lutheran
approaches to preaching .
• Learn classic Lutheran
approaches to the individual care of souls.
• Be familiar with the
classic Lutheran understanding of the pastoral office and duties.
• Engage the history and
theology of the church at the time of Gerhard as their own family story such
that it shapes their ministry in the present context.
• Be better equipped to interpret
biblical texts in a manner that is congruent with the Lutheran Confessions.
• Identify continuities and
discontinuities between Gerhard’s situation and the Church in America today, so
as to promote reflection on current societal attitudes.
III. TEXTBOOKS
Gerhard, Johann. Handbook of
Consolations: For the Fears and Trials That Oppress Us in the Struggle with
Death. Translated by Carl L. Beckwith. Eugene, Oregon: Wipf & Stock,
2009.
Gerhard, Johann. On
Interpreting Sacred Scripture and Method of Theological Study. Edited by
Benjamin T. G. Mayes. Translated by Joshua J. Hayes. Theological Commonplaces,
I–II. St. Louis: Concordia, 2017.
ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
Gerhard, Johann. Commentary
on 1 Timothy and Commentary on 2 Timothy. Translated by Joshua J. Hayes.
St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2017.
Balduin, Friedrich. Apostolic
Agenda: The Epistles of the Holy Apostle Paul to Titus and Philemon.
Translated by Eric G. Phillips and James L. Langebartels. Fort Wayne: Emmanuel
Press, 2020. Available from https://emmanuelpress.us/books/apostolic-agenda/
IV. COURSE SCHEDULE
Monday: Exegesis
Class times. 9:40–12:00. 1:00–4:00.
(5 hours)
Topics:
1.
Perspicuity and
Hermeneutics. Reading: Gerhard, Interpreting, 55–92.
2.
Senses of Scripture and
Rule of Faith. Reading: Gerhard, Interpreting, 93–100.
Optional reading: Mayes, Benjamin T. G. “The Mystical Sense of
Scripture According to Johann Jacob Rambach.” Concordia Theological Quarterly
72, no. 1 (2008): 45–70. http://media.ctsfw.edu/Text/ViewDetails/440
Tuesday: Exegesis
Class times. 9:00–12:00. 1:00–4:00.
(5.5 hours)
Topics:
1.
Rule of Faith and Dogmatic Exegesis.
Reading: Gerhard, Interpreting, 100–131.
2.
Scripture and Tradition.
Reading: Gerhard, Interpreting, 32–41, 211–238.
Optional reading: Mayes, Benjamin T. G. “Not Just Proof-Texting:
Friedrich Balduin’s Orthodox Lutheran Use of Exegesis for Doctrine.” Concordia
Theological Quarterly 79, no. 1–2 (2015): 103–20. http://media.ctsfw.edu/Text/ViewDetails/11190
Wednesday: Preaching
Class times. 9:00–12:00. 1:00–2:30.
(4 hours)
Topics:
1.
Useful Applications of
Scripture. Reading: Gerhard, Interpreting, 201–210.
2.
Recovering Classical
Lutheran Modes of Preaching
Optional reading: Mayes, Benjamin T. G. “The Useful Applications of
Scripture in Lutheran Orthodoxy: An Aid to Contemporary Preaching and
Exegesis.” Concordia Theological Quarterly 83, no. 1–2 (2019): 111–35. http://media.ctsfw.edu/Text/ViewDetails/16973
Thursday: Specific Care of Souls
Class times. 9:00–12:00. 1:00–4:00.
(5.5 hours)
Topics:
1.
Maladies of the Soul.
Reading: Gerhard, Handbook of Consolations.
2.
Evangelical Lutheran
Casuistry
3.
Testing (Tentatio)
and Pastoral Life. Reading: Gerhard, Interpreting, 127–131, 135–146,
239–241.
Optional reading: Mayes, Benjamin T. G. “Demon Possession and
Exorcism in Lutheran Orthodoxy.” Concordia Theological Quarterly 81, no.
3–4 (2017): 331–36. http://media.ctsfw.edu/Text/ViewDetails/15656
Friday: Study
Class time. 9:00–11:00. (2 hours)
Topics:
1.
Requirements for
Theological Study. Reading: Gerhard, Interpreting, 138–147.
2.
How to Study Scripture.
Reading: Gerhard, Interpreting, 180–189.
V. Course Requirements for CE Credit
1.
Readings. Please
read the Gerhard readings before class, in order to heighten the level of
discussion and learning.
2.
Reflections. The last
part of each day’s class will be devoted to discussion of the readings. In
preparation for this, write a reflection of 100 to 200 words on the readings.
Reflect on the author’s main thesis and supporting arguments, on why the
author is saying this, and on whether his thoughts are valuable
for theology, pastoral practice, and Christian life. The point is for you to
say and ask something informative and insightful about one or more main points
of the assigned readings. The reflection should show familiarity with the
author’s arguments. As part of your reflection, write
one or more interesting questions that you would like to discuss in
class. You will turn in your reflections and discussion questions at the
beginning of class each day, either on paper or by e-mail to Benjamin.Mayes@ctsfw.edu. The
following kinds of questions are based on Bloom’s Taxonomy, going from easy to
hard. Try to include questions here at levels b–d.
a.
Factual, about what the
author wrote or meant.
b.
How and why questions.
c.
What the author assumes or
implies (not explicitly stated in the text).
d.
Whether it is true or not,
and why (evaluation questions).
3.
Biblical Commonplaces project.
Each student will study and take notes on one of the pastoral epistles according
to the directions given by Johann Gerhard in Method of Theological Study,
resulting in his own biblical commonplaces for future preaching and teaching. Specific
instructions:
a.
Students should use the
headings from the Concordia Commentary series as structure for their
commonplaces: Outline, Translation, Textual Notes, Commentary.
b.
For the outline section:
Give a simple outline of the chapter (no subheadings) drawn from a commentary,
a Bible edition, or your own observation.
c.
For the translation
section: Compare translations between ESV (or another modern English Bible) and
one of the following: (1) the 1545 Luther Bible (German), (2) Vulgate (Latin), (3)
the Douay-Rheims English translation of the Vulgate, or (4) KJV.
d.
For textual notes: No
textual notes are required for this project. However, in your future ministry
and studies, this is where you will put your observations on Greek lexicography
and grammar.
e.
For the commentary section,
take notes on Gerhard, Commentary on 1–2 Timothy, or Friedrich Balduin, Apostolic
Agenda. You should paraphrase. You need to include substantive,
insightful notes for half of the passages for each chapter. Sometimes reading
Gerhard or the biblical text will inspire your own thoughts. Record your own
thoughts and insights surrounded by [square brackets]. Cite your sources! Do
not plagiarize.
f.
Due by September 26, 2020.
E-mail to Benjamin.Mayes@ctsfw.edu.
Microsoft Word format is preferred, but ODT and RTF are also acceptable. Please
do not submit PDF.
g.
Proofread your document
before submitting it. You are expected to use good English.
