None

Students should be able to: 

1.      understand and reproduce the main aspects and characteristics of Reformed theology in historical perspective as well as in its contemporary manifestation (LOQ 3,4,5,7); 

2.      understand constants and variables of the Reformed tradition during the course of time in different contexts (LOQ 1,3,4,5,6); 

3.      explain and demonstrate the importance of Reformed theology for their own context and culture (LOQ 2,4,7,8); 

4.      reflect on the practical application of Reformed theology for their own context (LOQ 1,2,6,8). 

This course places Reformed theology and the Reformed tradition in a historical and systematic context as well as in international perspective. We will be discovering constants and variables within the Reformed heritage of the sixteenth through twentieth centuries. Using the work of Reformed theologians from the past and present, an overview will be given of the character and development of Reformed theology and the Reformed tradition. Attention will be paid to the broadness and diversity of the Reformed family in history and around the world. 

Lecture overview 

Lecture 1: John Calvin and Revelation.  

Lecture 2: Canons of Dordt and Predestination 

Lecture 3: Introduction to neo-Calvinism – by prof. George Harinck 

Lecture 4: Francis Turretin and the Covenant 

Lecture 5: Herman Bavinck and Scripture  

Lecture 6: Karl Barth and Christology 

Lecture 7: Klaas Schilder and the Church

·        Lectures – 6 meetings of 3 hours each plus 3 hours by guest lecturer (Harinck) 

·        Discussions in class 

·        Presentation (incl. formative presentation of the final paper) 

·        Independent study 

Contact hours: 21 hours 
Lecture preparation: 60 hours 

Independent study: 87 hours 

A written essay with selected additional literature. 

Evaluation criteria will be derived from the learning goals of the module.  
Special attention will be devoted to: 

·        The quality and depth with which the topic of Reformed theology in its historical development and actual presence is discussed; 

·        The extent to which the content of lectures, reader and additional literature has been used; 

·        Creativity, independence, level of difficulty of the theme that was dealt with; 

·        The relevance of the topic discussed for the local context / culture of the student; 

·        Methodological soundness.  

Required reading (10 hours = 50p / per class )