Question # 1( At most two paragraph)The Calvinist and Arminian Perspective

For the purposes of this exercise, and not necessarily as a reflection of what you really believe, assume the stance of either an Arminian or a Calvinist. From the point of view of your chosen perspective, and limited to the issues discussed in Chapter 16 of Grudem (see particularly his perspective, p. 316, note 1), present and develop two ideas: 1) the one which is most convincing to you about the Calvinist or Arminian perspective and 2) the one with which you struggle the most regarding that perspective. Use your own words in presenting your initial post, but reference Grudem, Scripture, and any other resource you would like to use, whether a class resource or not.

Question # 2( One Page) My Personal Lexicon

Throughout the entire three-course sequence of systematic theology courses you will be introduced to new terminology. To assist you in familiarizing yourself with these terms, you will construct a journal entry each week, focusing on at least three terms/words/concepts.

Each journal entry will be comprised of: 1) the term/word/concept; and 2) a definition of each term/word/concept, based on Walter Elwell, Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, but articulated in your own words. You will define at least three terms/words/concepts each session.

This means that you will never quote Elwell, but you will synthesize his given definition into a seventy-five word, or so, long definition of your own making – again, your words, not Elwell’s. Given the journal nature of this assignment, you may feel free to add personal commentary along with your custom definition, but the definition itself should be about seventy-five words; commentary is over and above that word count.

Question # 3( One page) My Personal McGrath

Choose one of the McGrath selections you read and one of the questions McGrath asks at the conclusion of the reading. Then, answer that question as a journal entry, not only answering the question but also reflecting on how that selection, question, and answer impact you personally. Make sure you employ Turabian style as you quote and cite McGrath’s actual question as well as appropriate portions of the reading.

Question # 4( Two pages)

As you already know, your final assignment will be a credo – or “What I Believe” – document. As a reminder, it will be a brief yet comprehensive statement of what you believe regarding each of the doctrines covered in this course: the doctrines of revelation, God, humanity, and sin. Your document will also begin with a prolegomena or introduction.

More reminders: Each section will be no more than two (and not less than one-and-one-half), single-spaced pages in length (not including Scripture references, should you list them all together as a block of text). Per the grading rubric, you will be assessed on each statement’s comprehensiveness (i.e., did you cover all the important elements of the doctrine?), brevity (i.e., did you express those elements with the right amount of well-chosen words, refusing to fluff up the statement with wasted words?), and creativity (i.e., not that you made up new stuff – that would be heresy! – but that you communicated the important elements of the doctrine in personal, unique, integrative, and engaging ways).

Your credo should make heavy use of Scripture. Unless otherwise critical to your statement, you are not required to quote entire Scripture verses. The “address” (e.g., Gen. 1:1) is enough.

You are expected also to cite (again, no need to quote; ruins your brevity) liberally from all pertinent course resources: Grudem, McGrath, even Elwell and Kapic.

Each session you will work on that particular doctrinal focus. You are expected to submit something each week, even though you will not be graded on the quality or quantity of that submission. The final project, submitted at the end of Session 5, will earn you the grade. The weekly submission, therefore, is to keep you on track and away from trying to do your entire credo mere hours before you submit it in the final session.

This week’s assignment is your DOCTRINE OF GOD, especially your ideas about His work in creation and response to humans (e.g., prayer and miracles).

You may find it helpful to review the two guidelines from Session 2’s Milestone prompt.