North Central Iowa Presbytery
2302 Falls Avenue
Waterloo, IA 50701
319-233-1747 (phone)
319-233-2015 (fax)
Web address:  www.presbynciowa.org 
Contact Us

(Lay Academy 2008) 
Theology

Home>Lay Academy>#4 Theology

Home  Presbytery Staff  Church Directory 
Resource Center  Presbytery Directory 
 Lay Academy Forms  Links   Contact Us 

Theology

September 26-27, 2008

Dr. James K. Mead

The Presenter

Dr. Jim Mead is Associate Professor of Religion at Northwestern College, where he has taught since 2000.  An ordained Presbyterian minister for twenty-four years, he served three different church (Vidalia, Louisiana; Magnolia, Arkansas; Tennent, New Jersey) from 1984-2000.  He holds the B.A. degree from Georgetown University, the M.Div and M.A. from Reformed Theological Seminary, and the Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary.  He has written reviews and articles in academic and church publications, and recently published a text book, Biblical Theology: Issues, Methods, Themes with Westminster John Knox 2007. Jim and his wife Anne, a librarian at Northwestern are parents of Andrew and Molly, who are senior and sophomore, respectively, at Hope College in Holland, MI.

The Course

This course will provide a basic overview of the structure and topics in Christian theology, with particular attention to the foundational doctrines of the Trinity and the Incarnation.  The practical implications of this theology for ministry and preaching will be explored based on the biblical dimension of the Christian faith.

Books Required

Book of Confessions, The Presbyterian Church (USA)

Donald K. McKim, Introducing the Reformed Faith (Westminster John Knox, 2001)

Pre-Course Assignment

           1. Read McKim's textbook.                                                                                                                                 

           2. Read the Apostles and Nicene Creeds, the Heidelberg Catechism, and the Brief Statement of Faith from The    Book of Confessions.

Post-Course Assignment

1. Prepare a doctrinal sermon for Trinity Sunday in which you help your congregation to understand the theological and practical implications of the doctrine of Trinity.

2.  Prepare a doctrinal sermon for Christmas in which you help your congregation to understand the theological and practical implications of the doctrine of the Incarnation.