OHIO VALLEY UNIVERSITY
BIB 346.01 Doctrinal Issues (3 credit hours)

At Ohio Valley University, we seek to transform lives in a Christ-centered academic community
that integrates higher learning, biblical faith, and service to God and humanity.

Class days/times:  MWF 10:45-11:35 a.m.
Location: Stotts, Room #307
Instructor: Bruce Terry
Office: Bible 201
Phone: (304) 865-6120 (office); (304) 295-6486 (home)
E-mail: bruce.terry@ovu.edu; Web site: http://bterry.com
Office hours:
M 3:00-5:00pm
T  12:30-2:00; 3:00-5:00 pm
W 3:00-5:00pm
Th 12:30-2:00; 3:00-5:00 pm
F   by appointment only

I. Textbooks:

II. Course Description:

BIB 346  Doctrinal Issues (3 credits) An examination of the theology and systems of doctrine found in modern denominations in comparison to Biblical teaching. A doctrinal and historical studies course. Offered fall, even-numbered years.

This course will focus on biblical teaching and departures from those teachings throughout the course of history in the Christian Age. A minor theme will be the association of specific doctrines with specific denominations. An emphasis will be placed on persuading those who hold non-biblical doctrines of the truth of the biblical teaching.

III. Rationale:

This course addresses the following objectives of the Bible program:

Objectives For Every Student

Provide students with a more in-depth study of the scriptures than what is gained in introductory studies and/or with training in Christian life and ministry

Objectives For Majors

Provide students with training in how to study the Bible for themselves
Provide a systematic study of the doctrines of the Bible and Christianity

IV. Integrating Faith and Learning:

Romans 10:17 says, "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ" (ESV).  Consequently, this class will use biblical texts and references to texts to help the student grow in faith.  But simply hearing is not enough.  Jesus told those who believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:31-32 ESV).  So it is necessary to keep doing what we learn.  In light of this, this course will also contain references to application of principles learned.  One of the objectives is a faith objective.  It will not be assessed for a grade, but life is such that it will be assessed, one way or another.  My prayer is that you will pass that test of life.

V. Course Objectives and National Standards:

  1. To acquaint the student with the biblical teachings of the early church as found primarily in the New Testament.
  2. To develop an understanding of how and why departures from these teachings occurred in the course of history.
  3. To encourage the development of persuasive skills that will enable the student to teach and write about these doctrines in a positive manner.
  4. To help the student realize the importance of following Jesus, thus providing a faith building experience for the student. 

There are no national standards for undergraduate study of the Bible.  At OVU, we emphasize the biblical text and its application in our lives.

VI. School of Biblical Studies Mission Statement:

At the School of Biblical Studies, we seek to transform lives in a Christ-centered academic community by encouraging biblical faith to produce life-long truth-seekers who serve God in His kingdom throughout the world.

VII. Course Requirements and Evaluation:

Assessment of whether the objectives have been met will be based on the student's performance on homework and tests assigned by the teacher and on the student's ability to do relevant research on his or her own in papers described below. Academic abilities assessed include reading with understanding skills as evidenced by a book introduction, homework, and classroom discussion; writing skills as evidenced by five typed papers; literary research and persuasion skills as evidence by a persuasive paper; and memory organization and retention as evidenced by major exams.

Your grade for the class will be based on four major exams (including a comprehensive final exam), a five-page persuasive paper on a non-biblical teaching held by some in Christendom, three two-page book reports on the three textbooks, six one-half page summaries of the beliefs and practices of six denominations of your choosing, and attendance and participation in class. Exam questions can come from the lectures or assigned readings from either the textbook or the New Testament. The final exam will cover material from the whole course.

The papers should be typed. The number of pages listed for the typed papers refer to full pages, not counting the cover sheet (required) and bibliography (also required for the persuasive paper with at least four entries, most of which are from books [other than the Bible] or print journals; internet sources are acceptable only if they are from scholarly or reprint sites). One page is defined as 27 double-spaced typewritten lines (counting the title, but not your name or page numbers) with 1" margins. The typed papers should be written using the Turabian style guide.

Class will be excused for students attending the World Missions Workshop. Students will be expected to attend at least a one hour class for each hour missed and turn in a one-page report on the class attended. The reports will count as attendance grades.

Ten points will be given for attendance. One point will be deducted for each class missed, including those missed for illness. The only exception to this will be those who miss on official school business and have an official notice to this effect; up to five such absences will not count against the student's grade if the student has no unexcused absences. Two grace days will be given to all students to allow for absences due to illness and excused absences for official school business. Note well: Grace days will be applied first to excused absences.

Additional readings/quizzes/essays/maps may be assigned.

All work is expected to be turned in on time. If for some reason you cannot make the due date, please ask my permission to turn the work in late. Late reading reports will be accepted for only half credit, since the readings will be discussed in class. Reports which are both late and short will be accepted only for quarter credit.

No paper will be accepted that is more than two weeks late. A paper that is more than one week late may not be rewritten, except in unusual circumstances. A paper must be at least 75% of assigned length in order to be rewritten. The grade on a paper which is rewritten may be increased on content, length, and mechanical errors. No grade will be given to a paper which contains enough mechanical errors to dock the score by a letter grade (i.e., 40 mechanical errors). It will be turned back without a score and the rewrite counted as late. Be sure to proofread and spell check! The English proficiency test sets the minimum standard for college papers.

Students who are absent on exam days with good reason may schedule a make-up exam within the next week. You must ask to take a make-up exam.

Students who score less than a 70 on a major exam may petition to retake the exam within a week after grades are returned on it. The highest grade on any retake exam will be 70. Once again, you must ask to retake an exam. There will be no retakes on the final exam. Study hard for it.

VIII. Grading System:

The final grade will be based on your work in the following way:

          Attendance                                        10%
Book Reports 9%
Summaries 6%
Major Paper 10%
Major Tests 45%
Final Exam 20%

Extra credit in these areas will not be allowed to exceed these percentages. Up to two points extra credit in the course will be given for a two-page book report on the Ferguson textbook. Your final grade will be A, B, C, D, or F. An A will be given for an average of 100-90, a B for 89-80, a C for 79-70, a D for 69-60, and an F for any average below 60.

IX. Academic Integrity Policy:

Because Ohio Valley University expects students to follow the highest standards of honorable conduct in all areas of life, it is essential that students maintain high standards of academic integrity. Cheating, plagiarizing (whether intentionally misrepresenting another's work as one's own or failing to follow appropriate requirements of documentation), and helping others to cheat or plagiarize are all violations of these standards. Students who engage in these behaviors will face appropriate consequences, which could include failing the assignment in question, failing the course, or being dismissed from the University. A student who believes that he or she is being treated unjustly may file an appeal with the VPAA; the student must initiate the appeal within 48 hours after receiving notification of the consequence. Appeal procedures are available in the office of the VPAA.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the presentation of another person's work as your own, whether you mean to or not. Copying or paraphrasing passages from another writer's work without acknowledging that you've done so is plagiarism. Translating passages from another writer's work in another language without acknowledging that you've done so is plagiarism. Copying another writer's work without putting the material in quotation marks is plagiarism, even if credit is given. Allowing another writer to write any part of your essay is plagiarism.

Plagiarism is a serious crime. The maximum penalty at OVU is expulsion from the University.

Plagiarism is easy to avoid. Simply acknowledge the source of any words, phrases, or ideas that you use. If you're not sure how to quote or paraphrase a source or if you need help with the format of endnotes or bibliographies, check with me. While you can (and in fact should) seek the help and advice of friends, classmates, and tutors, be sure that your written work is completely your own.

X. Policy for Attendance and Tardies:

OVU Catalog:

Regular class attendance is most important. Instructors are responsible for recording and reporting attendance in each of their classes. Attendance at 75% of the scheduled class meeting is required to receive credit for a given course; in other words, if a student misses 25% or more class sessions including both excused and unexcused absences, the student will fail the course.

Course Policy:

Attendance in class is mandatory; it will be part of the basis for the grade given. If you cannot attend for good reason, either notify me beforehand or as soon as possible afterward. This applies even if you have an excused absence. You will be expected to do all work of any classes missed, except for pop quizzes. If you do not intend to attend regularly, kindly withdraw from the class now.

Do NOT miss class simply because you do not have an assignment finished. Do NOT miss class if you can possibly come; save any absences for sickness or death in the family. If you have an extended illness, please contact me to let me know.

Kindly try to be a class on time. If you are consistently tardy for no good reason, I reserve the right to count three tardies as an absence. I do count half absences.

If you have to leave early, please inform me before class. Do not schedule extra work, doctor's appointments, etc. during class time if at all possible. If you are too frequent in leaving early, I reserve the right to count early departures as a partial absence, adversely affecting your grade.

Absences may be excused if you bring me documentation that you were hospitalized, ill with a contagious disease, involved in an accident, on school business (up to five hours), or there was a death in the immediate family. More than five hours of absences which include three hours of unexcused absence will result in your being dropped from the course with either a W or an F at my discretion. You may pay a fine and petition to be reinstated. Additional unexcused absences will result in your being dropped without future reinstatement. No credit will be given for a course in which absences, both excused and unexcused, total more than 25% of the hours of the course (i.e., as many as 12 class hours, counting each class as 1 hour). Should you approach this limit, you will be asked to withdraw from the course (if possible). I reserve the right to drop you from the course as a warning once you have at least 6 total absences. If you are dropped for any reason, reinstatement is not guaranteed and will be granted only if a plan for success is presented. Note well: Absences may adversely affect your grade, as outlined above under the topic Course Requirements. A drop from your only Bible course may affect your ability to enroll in the next semester.

Please turn off cell phones before entering class. If you should have wireless service in the classroom, do not use your messaging service on your laptop or PDA. I reserve the right to count you absent should you disregard this. Cell phone use for voice or text during a test will result in failure of that test.

XI. Compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):

If you have a diagnosed disability and need special accommodations, please notify the Office of the VPAA before or immediately after your first scheduled class meeting. After your disability has been verified, inform your instructor and your instructor will work with you and the Office of the VPAA to insure that you have a fair opportunity to perform in the course.

XII. Bibliography:

The bibliography will be given as the course progresses.

XIII. Course Calendar:

MAJOR EXAM DATES:   Exam 1 -- Monday, September 15, 2008
Exam 2 -- Monday, October 13, 2008
Exam 3 -- Monday, November 10, 2008
Final Exam -- Monday, December 15, 2008
10:00 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.

Course Plan

WEEK ONE: 
8/27/08 -- Introduction to the Course
8/29/08 -- Use of the Old Testament Laws

WEEK TWO:
9/ 1/08 -- Labor Day (no class)
 homework: read Harvey's Writing with Sources
write a one-page introduction of yourself
(extra credit)
read Hawley, chaps. 1-3
9/ 3/08 -- The Nature of God
homework: read Hawley, chaps. 4-6
9/ 5/08 -- Denominationalism

WEEK THREE:
homework: read Hawley, chaps. 7-8
9/ 8/08 -- Denominationalism
 homework: read Hawley, chaps. 9-10
9/10/08 -- Denominationalism
homework: read Hawley, chaps. 11-12
9/12/08 -- Denominationalism

WEEK FOUR:
homework: study for exam
9/15/08 -- Major Exam
homework: write 2-page book report on Hawley
9/17/08 -- Church Government
homework: as assigned in class
9/19/08 -- Church Government

WEEK FIVE:
homework: as assigned in class
9/22/08 -- Saints, Images, Mother of God
homework: as assigned in class
9/24/08 -- Sacraments
homework: as assigned in class
9/26/08 -- Lord's Supper

WEEK SIX:
homework: as assigned in class
9/29/08 -- Baptism, Confirmation
homework: read Shank, chaps. 1-4
10/ 1/08 -- Baptism, Confirmation
homework: read Shank, chaps. 5-8
10/ 3/08 -- Grace & Works

WEEK SEVEN:
homework: read Shank, chaps. 9-12
10/ 6/08 -- Grace & Works
homework: read Shank, chaps. 13-16
10/ 8/08 -- TULIP/Perseverance of the Saints
homework: read Shank, chaps. 17-19
10/10/08 -- TULIP/Perseverance of the Saints

WEEK EIGHT:
homework: study for test
10/13/08 -- Major Exam
homework: as assigned in class
10/15/08 -- Pre-millenialism/Dispensationalism
homework: as assigned in class
10/17/08 -- Pre-millenialism/Dispensationalism

WEEK NINE:
homework: read Terry's article on Synoptic Apocalypse
write 2-page book report on Shank
10/20/08 -- Synoptic Apocalypse
homework: read Terry's article on Luke 17 & A.D. 70
10/22/08 -- Synoptic Apocalypse
homework: as assigned in class
10/24/08 -- Synoptic Apocalypse
World Mission Workshop

WEEK TEN:
homework: as assigned in class
10/27/08 -- Adventism
homework: read Warfield, chap. 1
10/29/08 -- The Holy Spirit
homework: read Warfield, chap. 2
10/31/08 -- The Holy Spirit

WEEK ELEVEN:
homework: read Warfield, chap. 3
11/ 3/08 -- Miracles
homework: read Warfield, chap. 4
11/ 5/08 -- Tongue-Speaking/Pentecostalism
homework: read Warfield, chap. 5
write 6 one-half-page summaries of various
denominations
11/ 7/08 -- Tongue-Speaking/Pentecostalism

WEEK TWELVE:
homework: study for test
11/10/08 -- Major Exam
homework: read Warfield, chap. 6
11/12/08 -- Mormonism
homework: read Warfield, catch up and finish
11/14/08 -- Mormonism
Last Day to Drop a Class with a "W"--Stick with it to the end!

WEEK THIRTEEN:
homework: read first third of Ferguson
11/17/08 -- Christian Science/Jehovah's Witnesses
homework: read second third of Ferguson
11/19/08 -- Instrumental Music
homework: read last third of Ferguson
write 2-page book report on Warfield
11/21/08 -- Instrumental Music

THANKSGIVING BREAK

WEEK FOURTEEN:
homework: write 4-page persuasive paper
12/ 1/08 -- Role of Women
homework: as assigned in class
12/ 3/08 -- Role of Women
homework: write 2-page book report on Ferguson (extra credit)
12/ 5/08 -- Role of Women

WEEK FIFTEEN:
homework: as assigned in class
12/ 8/08 -- Unity/Tolerance
homework: as assigned in class
12/10/08 -- Unity/Tolerance
12/12/08 -- Catch Up and Evaluation

WEEK SIXTEEN: Final Exam Week
homework: study for final exam
12/15/08 -- Final Exam (10:00 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.)

N. B.: Homework is listed before the class for which it is due!

THIS SYLLABUS MAY BE MODIFIED AS THE TEACHER FEELS NECESSARY!


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