SYLLABUS FOR "THE APOSTLES' CREED"

Course Description

There are many denominations, divisions and theological disputes in the modern church. But despite these types of disunity, there is a common core of belief that all faithful Christians have affirmed throughout history. And for almost two millennia, this core of belief has been summarized in the Apostles’ Creed. This course explains the history and use of the Apostles’ Creed, as well as the details and significance of each of its articles of faith. It is based on the videos produced by Third Millennium Ministries.

Goals and Objectives

GOALS

In this course, we would like to accomplish the following:

1. We hope you become convinced of the value of the Apostles' Creed and its significance for the modern church, and that you believe the doctrines expressed in it.

2. We hope you will learn the important details of the history of the Apostles' Creed and that you will learn the meaning of each of the doctrines expressed in the Apostles' Creed.

3. We hope that you will see the practical importance of the Apostles' Creed and that you will apply its teachings to make changes in your own heart and life.

OBJECTIVES

When you have done the following, it will show that the goals are met:

1. Use all the written elements of the course to express your own thoughts and attitudes regarding the value and significance of the Apostles' Creed.

2. Obtain satisfactory grades on all the tests of the course, demonstrating that you can: a) identify key information about the history of the Apostles' Creed, and b) identify the meaning of the doctrines expressed in the Apostles' Creed.

3. Answer the application questions in the study guides, in which you express your own responses and opinions regarding the topics of the Apostles' Creed and show how you have applied the teachings of the course to your own life.

Resources

The course is based on materials distributed by Third Millennium Ministries. A wide variety of theology professors and pastors contribute to the lessons.

Credit

Birmingham Theological Seminary offers three hours of credit for this course, as part of the program leading to a Certificate in Christian Ministry.

Thematic Outline of the Course

Lessons Based on the Video Lectures:

1. The Articles of Faith
2. God the Father
3. Jesus Christ
4. The Holy Spirit
5. The Church
6. Salvation

Required Additional Reading:

Philip Schaff, Creeds of Christendom, Volume 1
Cornelius Walker, Outlines of Christian Theology
John Eyre Yonge, An Exposition of the Apostles' Creed

Assignments

You should begin with the following for each lesson:

1. Read the "Preparation" document and complete any activity mentioned there in preparation for the lesson.
2. Read the instructions for the lesson.
3. Watch all the videos (or listen to the audio, or read the text version).
4. Complete the study guide for each section of the videos.

While they are not required, and while they will not be graded, we recommend that you do the following for each lesson to prepare for the acummulative test and to get the maximum benefit from the lesson:

1. Take the quiz on each section of the videos.
2. If there are any, watch the videos of class discussion forums.
3. Browse through the glossary of the lesson.

The accumulative test

Take the accumulative test on each lesson. This is required and will give you the grade for the lesson.

Required Additional Reading

After completing the lessons based on the video lectures, there is a final lesson based on required additional reading. The student should do the reading, complete the study guides, and take the corresponding test based on the reading.

Estimated Time for Study

While each student is different, we estimate that each lesson may take around 10 hours to do the required assignments, if the student is already familiar with how to use these courses.

Grades

You may see your grades at any time by clicking on the link. (It is in the left margin in the computer version, and at the bottom in other versions.)

1) Each accumulative test is worth 100 points and the test on the required reading is worth 100 points.

2) The quizzes on each section of the lessons are graded (10 points for each) so that you can evaluate your learning, but they will not be included in the official course grade. They are only for the purpose of practicing and learning.

3) The final grade for the course will be calculated by taking the appropriate percentages from each accumulative test and from the test on required reading, to make a total of 100%.

The evaluation scale has the following meaning:

90-100%: Excellent (A)
80-89%: Good (B)
75-79%: Average (C)
0-75%: Insufficient (F)

Include Other People

We highly recommend that you involve other people in your studies, in order to avoid isolating yourself. You may choose to form a study group with other students that are in the same program, or in a similar program of studies. You could share what you are learning, encourage one another, and pray for each other. It would also be a great idea to form a mentoring relationship with your pastor or with another person you respect, to make yourself accountable to him. You could meet once a week to share what you are learning and pray together.