Description
This course seeks to (1) retrace and expose key historical and theological developments in the evolution of the Christian Year, including its roots in the feasts of Israel; (2) give thematic consideration to the major seasons of the liturgical year; (3) critically evaluate the strengths and liabilities of using the Revised Common Lectionary for worship planning and preaching; (4) explore fruitful avenues of supplementing the limited scriptural diet of lectionary-based churches with a view to the spiritual formation of congregations; and (5) restore the entirety of the scriptural canon and the theological encyclopedia to full functionality in the planning of prophetic, programmatic preaching and vital, eschatological worship, mitigating the effect of vain repetition and merely temporal observances (Gal 3:10) that undermine the church’s spiritual vitality, witness, and mission. Prerequisite: MN 501; letter grade or pass/fail