Formula of Concord (CT3006L)

Undergraduate, 18.0 points

Content

Students will focus on the place of the Lutheran Confessions in the church today and reflect on the implications of that for the contemporary Lutheran Church. In particular students will examine the historical background to the Formula of Concord; study the controversies that led to the different articles being included; develop an understanding of the role played by the main formulators of the Formula; research and analyse some of the twelve articles in detail, engage in peer discussion of those articles; and, explore the implications of the Formula for the life of the church today.

Unit code: CT3006L

Unit status: Approved (Major revision)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 3

Unit discipline: Systematic Theology

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Australian Lutheran College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Identify the historical setting that gave rise to the Formula of Concord and articulate a deepened understanding of its theological content
2.

Demonstrate critical awareness in the use of primary texts and secondary material
3.

Assess the Formula of Concord as a summary of God's Word
4.

Describe vocational applications from study of the Formula for preaching, teaching, and pastoral care

5.

Show an enhanced ability for theological reflection on the Formula of Concord for contemporary parish practice

Unit sequence

Course relationship: A level 3 unit in undergraduate theology and ministry courses.

Prerequisites: 36 points in the discipline of Systematic Theology (CT)

Pedagogy

This unit is underpinned by teaching practices and strategies (e.g. a combination of interactive lectures and tutorial style discussion on the basis of content and questions defined both by the lecturer and the students) which encourage student engagement and participation in a variety of learning tasks and opportunities which foster deep learning.

Indicative Bibliography

  • Arand, Charles P., James A. Nestingen, and Robert Kolb. The Lutheran Confessions: history and theology of the Book of Concord. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress, 2012.
  • Bente, F. Historical introduction to the Lutheran Confessions as contained in the Book of Concord of 1580. 2nd ed. St Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 2005.
  • Hebart, Friedemann. One in the gospel: the Formula of Concord for our day. 3rd ed. Clovelly Park, SA: Australian Church Resources, 2015.
  • Kolb, Robert, and James Nestingen, eds. Sources and contexts of the Book of Concord. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2001.
  • Kolb, Robert, and Timothy J. Wengert, eds. The Book of Concord: the confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2000.
  • ———, eds. Book of Concord on CD-ROM. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2002.
  • McCain, P.T., ed. Concordia: the Lutheran confessions: a reader’s edition of the Book of Concord. 2nd ed. St Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 2006.
  • Moorhead, W.G. The Formula of Concord: study guide. Lutheran Confessions series. St Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 1999.
  • Stahlke, Otto F., and Eugene F. Klug. Getting into the Formula of Concord: a history and digest of the Formula: historical notes and discussion questions. St Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 1977.
  • Tappert, Theodore, ed. The Book of Concord. Minneapolis MN: Augsburg Fortress, 1959.
  • Wengert, Timothy. A formula for parish practice: using the Formula of Concord in congregations. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2006.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Report

Initial research on one of the twelve articles of the Formula of Concord

 1000 25.0
Essay

Essay on the same article of the Formula of Concord

 4000 75.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Maggie Kappelhoff on 3 Sep, 2021

Unit record last updated: 2021-09-03 16:14:17 +1000