This course is designed to help students develop an awareness and appreciation for the creeds and confessions utilized by the Presbyterian Church (USA). As documents of history and theology, the creeds and confessions of the PC (USA) provide additional guidance for the life and faith of its ministers and laity. For those preparing for ordination as Teaching Elders, conversant knowledge of the Book of Confessions (BOC) is imperative for both the ordination exams and for conversations with the Committees on Preparation for Ministry.
The Book of Confessions (there is a .pdf of the BOC in the files section, a hard copy is recommended for ordination exams)
See Taylor Library's list of online book sellers for purchasing options.
Readings – Preface, Confessional Nature of the Church
Readings – The Assessment of Proposed Amendments to the Book of Confession, About the Nicene Creed, The Nicene Creed - Jason Whitehead
Readings – About the Apostles’ Creed, The Apostles’ Creed - Mark
Readings – The Scots Confession - Nancy Tuma
Readings – The Heidelberg Catechism - Erica
Readings – The Second Helvetic Confession - Laura
Readings – The Westminster Confession of Faith - Kim Nipple
Readings – The Confession of 1967 - Olivia Hudson Smith
Readings – The Shorter Catechism - Denise
Readings – A Brief Statement of Faith - Jason
* Develop an understanding of the creeds and confessions utilized by the PC (USA) which help interpret the Reformed Faith.
* Feel comfortable talking about various aspects of the BOC with one another and with others engaged in ministry in the PC (USA).
* Develop a level of comfort with the diverse perspectives in the BOC in order to engage it critically and utilize it in ministry appropriately.
Class participation (50%)
Teaching the Confessions (50%)
Incompletes: If incompletes are allowed in this course, see the Master's Student Handbook for Policies and Procedures.
Pass/Fail: Masters students wishing to take the class pass/fail should discuss this with the instructor by the second class session.
Academic Integrity and Community Covenant: All students are expected to abide by Iliff’s statement on Academic Integrity, as published in the Masters Student Handbook, or the Joint PhD Statement on Academic Honesty, as published in the Joint PhD Student Handbook, as appropriate. All participants in this class are expected to be familiar with Iliff’s Community Covenant.
Accommodations: Iliff engages in a collaborative effort with students with disabilities to reasonably accommodate student needs. Students are encouraged to contact their assigned advisor to initiate the process of requesting accommodations. The advising center can be contacted at advising@iliff.edu or by phone at 303-765-1146.
Writing Lab: Grammar and organization are important for all written assignments. Additional help is available from the Iliff Writing Lab, which is available for students of any level who need help beginning an assignment, organizing thoughts, or reviewing a final draft.
Inclusive Language: It is expected that all course participants will use inclusive language in speaking and writing, and will use terms that do not create barriers to classroom community.
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