God And His Word

COVENANT

THEOLOGICAL

SEMINARY

DISTANCE

LEARNING

God and His Word

Dr. Michael Williams

Covenant

Theological

Seminary,

12330

Conway

Road,

St.

Louis,

MO

63141

(314)

434-­‐4044

Copyright

2006.

All

Rights

Reserved

COVENANT THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

The Seminary of the Presbyterian Church in America

ii

God and His Word 2006 Michael Williams & Covenant Seminary

ST200: God and His Word

Professor: Dr. Michael Williams

I. Course Description:

An introduction to theology and hermeneutics, and a study of the doctrines of revelation,

Scripture, and God.

II. Course Goals:

During the course the student will

1. develop an understanding of the nature of the Bible as a revelation of God’s character,

historical action, redemptive purpose, and norm for faithful kingdom living;

2. develop an introductory appreciation for both the diversity and unity of Scripture within its

covenantal orientation and kingdom trajectory;

3. become familiar with the science of biblical hermeneutics through a survey of hermeneutical

issues and strategies;

4. be exposed to the biblical teaching concerning God and the church’s historical-theological

reflection upon God

5. develop a greater personal understanding of the historical and personal nature of God, his

providential care for his world and his personal fatherly and kingly relationship to us and the

church

6. develop biblically informed, theologically sound, and historically shaped and tested

convictions concerning the doctrines of God and revelation

III. Course Objectives:

By the end of the course the student will be able to

1. articulate and defend an evangelical understanding of the doctrine of Scripture as the inspired

and inerrant Word of God;

2. show a growing confidence with and ability to read and interpret the Bible faithfully

3. describe the character and ways of the God of biblical revelation

4. compare a biblical understanding of God and his ways to alternative understandings, ancient

and modern.

We will pursue these goals and objectives through a number of means:

1. Theological interdisciplinary and synthetic course lectures and discussions, making use of

exegetical, theological, and historical resources as they enlighten the issues under discussion

2. The reading of significant texts that introduce and develop the different elements of the

course

3. Assessment of the student’s understanding and involvement via a series of written

assignments

IV. Texts: All students are required to read the following:

Lesslie Newbign, Proper Confidence

Al Wolters, Creation Regained

Robert Peterson and Michael Williams, Why I’m Not an Arminian

Sandra Richter, The Epic of Eden: A

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