Due to the group discussion nature of this class, it is not available to online only students.We apologize for any inconvenience.

You may enroll in this Adult Education Class for 1 Shepherd School credit. If you have not already registered for this class, please do so now to ensure that seats are still available.

This 1-credit course is an evaluation of the church’s contemporary approach to the gospel and church growth. This class focuses on the philosophy and nature of truth, discusses the context of New Testament doctrine, examines the issues of preferences, convictions, the essence of the gospel, and New Testament parameters for the church in our changing postmodern culture. The movement of the emerging church is discussed. This is a 10-week course.

Classes meet Sundays through March 22, 2009; syllabus and other course materials will be available the first day of class. This course requires students to read five books, participate in discussion groups, and submit papers on the required reading. The book list is below (in no particular order); contact Reba Chambers if you have additional questions about the reading list or coursework.

• Beyond Foundationalism: Shaping Theology in a Postmodern Context by Stanley J. Grenz and John R. Frank
• Reimagining Church: Pursuing the Dream of Organic Christianity by Frank Viola
• Becoming Conversant with the Emerging Church: Understanding a Movement and Its Implications by D. A. Carson
• A New Kind of Christian: A Tale of Two Friends on a Spiritual Journey by Brian D. McLaren
• Why We're Not Emergent: By Two Guys Who Should Be by Kevin DeYoung, Ted Kluck, and David F. Wells

Due to the subject matter, a foundational knowledge of dispensationalism, biblical hermeneutics, and an overview of basic biblical theology would be helpful, but is not required.

If a student feels the need to brush up in any of these areas, the following books provide a general working knowledge.

Dispensationalism, Charles C. Ryrie
Living by the Book, Howard Hendricks