2PT711/01 A THEOLOGY OF WORK Guest Faculty: Dr. Orlando Rivera

2PT711/01 A THEOLOGY OF WORK
Guest Faculty: Dr. Orlando Rivera
CLASS MEETS:
January 19-23, 2016
Tuesday – Friday from 9:00am – 3:00pm and Saturday 9:00am – 4:00 pm
OFFICE: 3-241
OFFICE HOURS: Tuesday – Friday 5:00p to 7:00p
EMAIL: [email protected]
COURSE INSTRUCTOR
Dr. Rivera has a PhD from Regent University, a M.Div. from RTS Orlando and a
MBA from Rollins College Winter Park, FL. He is currently Assistant Professor
and Department Head of Pastoral Ministry at Nyack College, NY. He also serves
as pastor at Mount Vernon Alliance Church in Mount Vernon, NY and is the
founding director of the Center for Transformative Work. Prior to moving to
New York, he served as pastor at Northland—A Church Distributed, taught
Business Ethics at Rollins College, and owned and operated two Nature’s Table
Café franchises in Orlando, FL.
Dr. Rivera’s passion is summed up in the words of the apostle Paul: “So,
whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” This
verse gets to the heart of the way he views life, that is, all activities and
professions are vehicles to glory God in the world. Professor Rivera endeavors
to awaken his students to the sacredness of all human enterprises as an
opportunity to make the kingdom of God visible on earth as it is in heaven.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course explores the meaning and ministry of work which engages people for most of their
waking hours. The approach taken is:
Biblical—surveying the biblical meaning of work as fulfilling the Cultural Mandate and the
Great Commission;
Theological—the understanding of and practice of work in the light of the timeless Word
of God and the contemporary situation.
Contextual—understanding how world-views and specific cultures affect one’s work ethic
and provide both points of content and a prophetic challenge;
Integrative—exploring how work is the principle way that we image God and continue the
inauguration of the kingdom of heaven on earth.
COURSE TEXTBOOKS:
1. Brennfleck, Kevin and Brennfleck, Kay Marie (2005). Live Your Calling: A Practical
Guide to Finding and Fulfilling Your Mission in Life. San Francisco, Jossey- Bass.
ISBN-13: 978-0787968953
2. Bolt, John (2013). Economic Shalom: A Reformed Primer on Faith, Work, and Human,
Flourishing. Christian's Library Press. ISBN-13: 978-1938948183
3.Sherman, Amy L. (2011). Kingdom Calling: Vocational Stewardship for the Common Good.
IVP Books. ISBN-13: 978-0830838097
4.Start Your Social Enterprise. http://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/news/new-start-guide-forbudding-social-entrepreneurs Download 'Start your social enterprise'
5.Stevens, R. Paul (2000). The Other Six Days: Vocation, Work and Ministry in Biblical
Perspective. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000. ISBN-13: 978-0802848000
6.Theology That Works. http://oikonomianetwork.org/theology-that-works/
WEBSITES:
Acton Institute – ww.acton.org
Oikonomia Network - www.oikonomianetwork.org
Theology of Work Project - www.theologyofwork.org
Work as Worship Network - http://www.workasworshipnetwork.org
Business as Mission - http://www.businessasmission.com/
Christian 9 to 5 - http://www.christianity9to5.org/
RECOMMENDED READING:
Keller, T., Alsdorf, K (2014). Every Good Endeavor. Riverhead Trade. ISBN-13: 9781594632822
Nelson, Tom (2011). Work Matters: Connecting Sunday Worship to Monday Work.
Crossway. ISBN-13: 978-1433526671
Ryken, Leland (2002). Work & Leisure in Christian Perspective. Wipe & Stock Publishers
ISBN-13: 978-1579109592
Stevens, R. Paul (2012). Work Matters: Lessons from Scripture. Wm. B. Eerdmans
Publishing Co. ISBN-13: 978-0802866967
STUDENT LEARNING GOALS:
Students will:
Assignments &/or Assessments Used
Gain a biblical theology of work through
is progressive revelation in Creation, Fall,
Redemption, and Renewal
Theology of Work Book assignment chapters 1
&2
Final exam on in-class lectures
Be challenged to question the sacred and
secular divide in ministry today;
and to mobilize all of God’s people
for ministry
Theology of Work Book assignment chapters 3
Gain a practical understanding of
vocational stewardship
Theology of Work Book assignment chapters 4
PowerPoint presentation on Kingdom Calling text
Be exposed to a model of vocational
assessment for themselves and those
whom they may serve
Theology of Work Book assignment chapters 5
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
1. - Attendance and participation in Saturday seminar100 points
2. Develop a PowerPoint presentation on the book Kingdom Calling for a Sunday class
(15-20 slides – graphic heavy slides, add teaching notes for each slide)100 points
3. Write a five – chapter “book” on the Theology of Work based on class notes, required
reading, websites and research articles. Each chapter will be five pages (except the
introduction and conclusion, which are two pages). Each chapter requires at least two
academic articles and two popular press articles. Use MLA style for each chapter (30
pages) 400 points
4. Final exam on in-class lectures 200 points
5. 5. Life Calling Map/Social Enterprise Presentation200 points
COURSE ASSIGNMENT CALENDAR
Chapter 1: Biblical Foundations of TOW – DUE: 1/30/16
Reading: Brennfleck chapters 1-2; Stevens chapters. 5
Chapter 2: Historical/Theological Foundations of TOW – DUE: 2/6/15
Reading: Bolt text; Stevens chapters. 1-2
Chapter 3: Integrating Faith and Work – DUE: 2/13/16
Reading: Brennfleck chapters. 3; Sherman chapter.5; Theology That Works (web link)
Chapter 4: Finding Your Vocational Fit – DUE: 1/22/16
Include your presentation of your life calling map
Reading: Stevens chapter 4; Brennfleck chapters. 3, 9-10; Sherman chapters. 5-13
Chapter 5: Your Social Entrepreneurship Project in light of your Life Calling Map – Due
Reading: Start Your Social Enterprise pdf – DUE: 1/22/16
Final exam on in-class lectures – DUE: 1/22/16
Introduction and Conclusion – DUE: 2/20
GRADING SCALE:
A
AB+
B
BC+
970-1000
940-969
910-939
880-909
860-879
830-859
C
CD+
D
DF
800-829
780-799
750-779
720-749
700-719
below 700
Course Objectives Related to MDiv* Student Learning Outcomes
Course:
Professor:
Campus:
Date:
2PT711/01 A Theology of Work
Orlando Rivera
Orlando
January 19 – 22, 2016
MDiv* Student Learning Outcomes
In order to measure the success of the MDiv curriculum, RTS has defined the
following as the intended outcomes of the student learning process. Each
course contributes to these overall outcomes. This rubric shows the
contribution of this course to the MDiv outcomes.
Rubric




Mini-Justification
Strong
Moderate
Minimal
None
*As the MDiv is the core degree at RTS, the MDiv rubric will be used in this syllabus.
Articulation
(oral &
written)
Scripture
Reformed
Theology
Broadly understands and articulates knowledge, both
oral and written, of essential biblical, theological,
historical, and cultural/global information, including
details, concepts, and frameworks.
Significant knowledge of the original meaning of
Scripture. Also, the concepts for and skill to research
further into the original meaning of Scripture and to
apply Scripture to a variety of modern circumstances.
(Includes appropriate use of original languages and
hermeneutics; and integrates theological, historical,
and cultural/global perspectives.)
Significant knowledge of Reformed theology and
practice, with emphasis on the Westminster Standards.
Sanctification
Demonstrates a love for the Triune God that aids the
student’s sanctification.
Desire for
Worldview
Burning desire to conform all of life to the Word of God.
Winsomely
Reformed
Embraces a winsomely Reformed ethos. (Includes an
appropriate ecumenical spirit with other Christians,
especially Evangelicals; a concern to present the Gospel
in a God-honoring manner to non-Christians; and a
truth-in-love attitude in disagreements.)
Ability to preach and teach the meaning of Scripture to
both heart and mind with clarity and enthusiasm.
Preach
Worship
Shepherd
Church/World
Strong
Moderate
Minimal
Ability to interact within a denominational context,
within the broader worldwide church, and with
significant public issues.
Biblical Theology of Work strongly
present in course
Does not include work in original
languages
One text on Reformed Perspective of
work. Not a thorough Reformed
approach to the topic
None
Moderate
Knowledgeable of historic and modern Christianworship forms; and ability to construct and skill to lead
a worship service.
Ability to shepherd the local congregation: aiding in
spiritual maturity; promoting use of gifts and callings;
and encouraging a concern for non-Christians, both in
America and worldwide.
Students write a 30-page on the
Theology of Work
Leading sessions at Saturday Seminar
Encourages students to integrate
faith and work as whole-life
discipleship
Minimal
Some on presenting the Gospel nonChristians through our work
Moderate
Teaching Scriptural meaning of work
at Saturday seminar
None
Strong
None
Emphasis on work as a holy calling to
serve God’s purposes in the world.
Equipping church leaders to equip
believers to live in the marketplace