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REQUIRED TEXTS:
Campbell, Ted A. Methodist Doctrine: The Essentials. Revised edition. Abingdon Press. 2011.
Charleston, Steven and Robinson, Elaine A. Coming Full Circle. Fortress Press. 2015
Hoklotubbe, Thomas Christopher and Zacharias, Hermann Daniel. Reading the Bible on Turtle Island. InterVarsity Press. 2025
González, Justo and Maldonado Pérez, Zaida. Introduction to Christian Theology. Abingdon Press. 2002.
RECOMMENDED READING
Chilcote, Paul W. The Quest for Love Divine: Select Essays in Wesleyan Theology and Practice. Cascade Books. 2022.
Kidwell, Clara Sue, Noley, Homer, and Tinker, George E. “Tink”. A Native American Theology, Orbis Books. 2001.
McFarland, Ian A, editor. Creation and Humanity: The Sources of Christian Theology. Westminster John Knox Press. 2009.
Treat, James, editor. Native and Christian, Indigenous Voices on Religious Identity in the United States and Canada. Routledge. 1996.
Woodley, Randy S. Indigenous Theology and the Western Worldview. Baker Academic, 2022.
REFERENCES
The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church
ASYNCHRONOUS LEARNING
In addition to the weekly Zoom meetings, students will be required to post two entries in the weekly forums with a minimum of 100 words and maximum of 300 words per post, due no later than 11:59 pm, two days before class starts.
Students will also be required to post two responses to their peers’ posts with a minimum of 50 and maximum of 200 words per post (four posts total), due no later than 11:59 am, on the day of class. Short posts of agreement and engaging questions are also encouraged.
There will be online videos weekly.
A movie also required by Week 3: Duigan, John. Romero. Warner Bros. 1989. (Free on Tubi)
Because the online forums and class discussions will focus mainly on dialogue between authors and student perspectives, students are required to read all the Campbell and González texts in addition to selected chapters from the Charleston text.
GRADING
Participation is required of every class. 30%
Weekly Forums: 30%
Essay on Theology: 40%
COURSE EXPECTATIONS
Participation in class will include weekly attendance, active engagement in conversations, and a 1 hour presentation on the weekly text of your choosing. Selections will include either an entire block of text from the Campbell or González texts or the remaining block of text that includes the Charleston AND Hoklotubbe texts.
Weekly forums will be required for all students, with an initial post and responses to at least two students’ posts weekly. Initial posts can be reflections from any class work including online videos, class readings, or other suggested material that is directly related to the class. If you are presenting in class that week, you must post a discussion question for the class to reflect upon 2 days prior to class.
All written assignments must be formatted to 1-inch margins, Times New Roman, 12-point font and double-spaced. Chicago-Turabian format is preferred.
The Essay on Theology will include an initial 1-2 page reflection on the course objective of your choice, due by the start of class week 3, and a final 8-10 page paper that incorporates a specific area of that focus into theology and practice. Special care must be given in the final paper to “dialogue with Indigenous and personal understandings.” The final paper will be due by midnight, two weeks after the final day of class. You are welcome to submit one optional draft per paper for Rev. Murray to review if you want feedback before submitting your final work.
An alternative to the final paper, if you choose, would include preparing a series of sermons that would meet the equivalent 8-10 pages, likely to include 3-4 sermons, or an equivalent work. Feel free to reach out to Pastor Murray to discuss your thoughts on final paper options.
Class will consist of three 50-minute blocks with space for breaks between each block. The first block of time will be devoted to lecture and discussion about the daily topic. The second block of time will prioritize student presentations of primary weekly readings and discussion. The final block will be used to address videos, readings and questions not otherwise covered.
WEEKLY OBJECTIVES
Each weekly focus will be arranged on the identified course objectives with lecture and discussion. We will not limit our discussion of those topics for that time, however, and will have opportunity to explore them more thoroughly through online forum discussions, class participation, including individual presentations, and personal reflection (Essay on Theology).
WEEK 1 Articulate understanding of faith, sin, salvation, grace, and the place of doctrine in the life of the Church.
Required reading (prior to class):
González, Part 1: What is Theology?: pages 1-32
Campbell, Intro and Ch. 1: Doctrines About Religious Authority: pages 9-41
Charleston, Ch. 1: Theory–Articulating a Native American Theological Theory: pages 1-26
Hoklotubbe, Ch. 1: Entering the Circle Dance: pages 1-29
Asynchronous Learning (prior to class):
Why A Wesleyan Approach to Theology – Dr. Ben Witherington (6:41)
John Wesley’s Sermon: Lay Not Up Treasures – Mark Topping (7:20)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFqFtDgaI5E
WEEK 2: Understand and use classical theological terms and themes.
Required reading (prior to class):
González, Part 2 & 3: Who is God?, What is the World? Who Are We?: pages 33-76
Campbell, Ch. 2-3: Doctrines About God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit: pages 43-50
Foundational Doctrines About Human Nature and Salvation: pages 52-57
Charleston, Ch. 2: Revelation and Epistemology…Place as Revelation: pages 27-54
Hoklotubbe, Ch. 2: It’s All Relative: pages 30-54 OR Ch. 3: Reading Along the Bright Path: pages 55-80
Asynchronous Learning (prior to class):
John Wesley and the Wesleyan Quadrilateral – Terry Bell (4:54)
81–Wesleyan Quadrilateral – Chuck Knows Church (5:14)
WEEK 3: Critically consider the sources of theological reflection, including scripture, tradition, experience and reason.
Required reading (prior to class):
González, Part 4 & 5:Who is Jesus Christ?, What is the Church?: pages 77-118
Campbell, Ch. 4: Distinctively Wesleyan Doctrines about Human Nature and Salvation: 59-70
Charleston, Ch. 5: The New Creation: A Maskoke Postcolonial Perspective: pages 89-118
Hoklotubbe, Ch. 4: Crying for a Vision of Who We Are: pages 82-102 OR Ch. 5: Naboth’s Descendants: pages 103-130
Asynchronous Learning (prior to class):
John Wesley’s Order of Salvation – Charles Gutenson – 7 Minute Seminary (8:18)
What Is Prevenient Grace – Charles Gutenson – Seven Minute Seminary (5:08)
WEEK 4: Reflect theologically as a resource for pastoral ministry.
Required reading (prior to class):
González, Part 6:How Does the Church Live?: 119-138
Campbell, Ch. 5-6: Doctrines about Church, Ministry, and Sacraments: pages 72-89
Doctrines about Judgment, Eternal Life, and the Reign of God: pages 90-94
Charleston, Ch. 7: Church–Wocekiye Okolakiciye: A Lakota Experience…: pages 133-150
Hoklotubbe, Ch. 6: From Babylon to Boarding Schools: pages 131-158
Asynchronous Learning (prior to class):
Convicting Grace – Charles Gutenson – Seven Minute Seminary (6:52)
Justifying Grace – Charles Gutenson – Seven Minute Seminary (6:38)
WEEK 5: Explore theological concepts of Creation, Atonement, and Stewardship in dialogue with Indigenous and personal understandings.
Required reading (prior to class):
González, Part 7:What is Our Hope?: 139-158
Campbell, Ch. 7: Methodist Doctrine and Methodist Ethos: pages 95-111
Charleston, Ch. 10: Theological Anthropology–On Being Human…Ada Deer: pages 187-214
Hoklotubbe, Ch. 7: Reading While Red(bone): pages 159-183
AND Conclusion: The Call of the Drum: pages 185-189
Asynchronous Learning (prior to class):
Sanctifying Grace – Charles Gutenson – Seven Minute Seminary (9:46)