A critical introduction and examination of the content and place of doctrine and theology in the Methodist tradition.

This course considers John Wesley and the origins and development of Wesleyan doctrine, spirit, and discipline, including the history of divisions and mergers as well as the establishment of the Methodist Episcopal Church in North America and the global Wesleyan tradition.

This course will introduce students to the theology and practice of worship and sacraments in the Wesleyan tradition, giving special attention to the liturgical calendar, music and hymnody, preaching, baptism, holy communion, and rituals for special services, including healing, confirmation, weddings, funerals, and ordination.

This course will introduce students to classical and contemporary approaches to Christian apologetics. Students will gain familiarity with Christian responses to various intellectual and cultural challenges to effective Christian witness and ongoing Christian belief, including evidence and arguments for and against the existence of God; the problem of suffering and evil; and concerns related to gender, sexuality, and race. In addition, students will develop familiarity with rival deities and contemporary forms of idolatry which can impede or otherwise compromise effective Christian witness. Finally, the resources of the Wesleyan theological tradition will be brought to bear on each topic covered in the course.

This course will introduce students to biblical foundations for the doctrine of the Holy Spirit, the development of the doctrine from the early church through the Reformation, and the understanding and appropriation of the doctrine in the Wesleyan theological tradition. The course will also attend to other aspects of the doctrine, including the baptism of the Holy Spirit and gifts of the Spirit or spiritual gifts, as well as the work of the Spirit in the sacramental life of the church today.