301 Topics of Religion: Christian Worship

Instructor: Rev. Aaron Wardle

Office: Lower Chapel Office Phone: x5481 Email: awardle@ashland.edu

Office Hours: M-Th.2-4pm; other times by appointment

All students are bound by the academic integrity policy in the most recent AU student handbook. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to plagiarism (the intentional or unintentional presentation of someone else's words or ideas as one's own without proper documentation), fabrication (the intentional falsification or invention of research, citations or other information) and cheating (an act of deception in which a student represents mastery of information that s/he has not mastered). The process for dealing

with violations and the appeals process are detailed in the Student Handbook.

I. Course Description

The worship of God is an essential component of the Christian faith. This course provides an introduction into the persons, practice and purpose of Christian Worship. Students will explore these through the avenues of biblical scholarship, theological reflection, historical analysis and sacred rituals. This class seeks to open the hearts and mind of its participants to the relationship between God and humans through Christian worship. The course will consist of lectures, readings, group projects and participation in various Christian worship expressions.

II. Course Objectives and Student Outcomes

The objectives of this course and outcomes for students are as follows:

1. To become familiar with the biblical and theological foundations that support Christian worship. Students completing this course will have an understanding of the characters of Christian worship (i.e. Members of the Trinity, creation, Israel and the church).

2. To increase awareness of the various forms and rituals of Christian worship as recorded in the Old and New Testament. Students will have been exposed to how these expressions have been carried out through history and modern culture.

3. To experience various expressions and practices of Christian worship within class and out of class. Upon completion students will have been encouraged to implement the knowledge and practices of Christian worship into their personal spiritual formation.

III. Required Text

Worship Old and New: Revised Addition, Robert Webber

Real Worship: Second Edition, Warren W. Weirsbe

Holy Bible

IV. Formats

The study of Christian worship focuses more on the Object of our adoration and devotion, rather than the subject of our scrutiny. There must be a dynamic tension between information to be learned and the formation of the individual. We are entering into a highly experiential and relational topic so students should be prepared to listen, discuss and participate. Christian worship engages the mind, heart, soul and body therefore; this class will contain elements that do the same.

V. Course Requirements and Grade Percentage

20% Attendance and class participation.

You will be expected to attend class regularly, participate in class discussion and be an active member of group projects.

Attendance and Participation Grade will be calculated as follows:
 Grade: A
Near perfect attendance, high level of preparation, participates actively without needing to be called upon.  You cannot receive an A if you miss more than three classes without excuse, no matter how good your participation is.  You will not receive an A just for attending or even for responding only when called upon.   “A” work is reserved for those individuals who come to class well prepared, having done the reading and sought to absorb it. “A” students bring questions to class, engage their fellow students and not just the professor, and generally make a significant contribution to the success of the class.  
 Grade: B
Missed a reasonable number of classes (less than three), often did the readings but not always, participated at times. Came to class prepared on most days, but not all.  Actively followed the class discussion even though they did not say as much as “A” work students.

 Grade: C
Missed class often, seldom did readings, participated only when called upon. Note: you can get a C even if you attend every class, if you never participate.

 Grade: F  
Generally, this grade can only be “achieved” by working diligently to consistently miss class. If you miss more than 5-6 classes, you will receive an F.

I reserve the right to lower your grade, even to the point of course failure, for excessive absences.  Repeated absence from class is simply unacceptable for my course! It shows disrespect for your fellow classmates and disrupts the overall ethos of the class.

10% (5% each) Worship Observation.

You will be required to attend two worship services outside of class. These services are to be from a different Christian tradition than your own and different each time you attend (i.e. a Catholic Mass, Orthodox Vespers and Presbyterian Sunday service.) A one-two page reflection paper will be due after each service is attended. The paper must include: where you attended: a brief description of the environment and participants; order of worship; and what you liked and disliked about the experience. Also was the congregation encouraged through the elements of the service to be a participant or a spectator? Papers are due: First paper 1.30.06; Second paper 3.13.06

20% (10% each) Book reviews of required texts.

a. In two-three pages reflect on Warren W. Wiersbe’s book Real Worship. This paper should include personal reflection on how the author’s thoughts on worship impact your understanding and practice of Christian Worship. Be sure to focus on Wiersbe’s concept of worship involving Wonder, Witness, Warfare and Wisdom.

Paper Due: 2.20.06

b. In two-three pages give an overview of the information and concepts found in the Robert Webber’s text Worship Old and New. Paper should show that you understand the importance of history, biblical foundations and theology in worship. This paper should also contain personal reflection on how the information in this text has helped or hindered your growth as a worshiper.

Paper due: 4.10.06

15% Group project.

You will be working in a group with the task of researching and presenting to the class a worship experience from a specific tradition. Each group must explain the biblical, theological and historical rational behind the practices of their assigned tradition. They also must describe the roles of the priest or pastor and the congregation. Each group must have an experiential component to their presentation. This project will rely heavily on the Webber text and out side of class research. Further details on this project will be given in class.

35% Worship Credo.

In six-eight pages you will develop a personal philosophy and practice of Christian worship. Using class lecture and discussion, required texts, group projects and out of class experiences the paper will consist of an articulation of your personal beliefs and practices of Christian worship. It will contain biblical and historical evidence, as well as theological reasoning to defend your views on Christian worship. Finally, the last section of the paper will be a dedicated to how you plan to live out this credo of worship. Detailed instruction of this paper will be given in class.

Paper due on the final day of class.

VI. Grading

Attendance 200 points 940-1000=A

Worship observations 100 points 901-939 = A-

Book Reviews 200points 875-899= B+

Group Project 150 points 840-874= B

Worship Credo 350 points 800-839= B-

1000 points total 775-799=C+

740-774= C

700-739= C-

Below 599=F

Students with documented disabilities who require academic adjustments for this course are requested to contact the instructor to discuss reasonable accommodations. In order to receive academic adjustments, paperwork from Disability Services must be provided to document this need. Contact Disability Services at 105 Amstutz (X

5953).

VII. Suggested Reading Schedule

1/9 Real Worship 1-90, & Old and New, 1-90 & Leviticus 1-15

1/23 Real Worship 91-142 & Old and New, 91-134 & Leviticus 16-27

1/30 Real Worship 143-165

2/6 Real Worship 166-194

2/13 Real Worship 195-210 & Old and New, 134-195

2/20 Old and New, 196-227

2/27 Old and New, 228-252

3/13 Old and New, 253-264