Eschatology – THEO 630

CG • Section 8WK • 11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 09/05/2023

Course Description

A study of key issues related to eschatology such as heaven and hell, Israel, the church, the rapture, the tribulation, the millennium, the Book of Revelation, and Dispensationalism.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Rationale

The purpose of this course is to examine the doctrine of eschatology or “last things” as reflected in Scripture and developed in Christian theology. This study highlights how God will accomplish His purposes for the world and humanity through future events such as the rapture, tribulation, second coming, millennial kingdom, and eternal state. It is designed for students wishing to secure advanced study in systematic theology in the M.Div. or the Th.M. degrees.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations/notes

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (2)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to provide a thread of 400 – 500 words in response to the provided prompt for each discussion. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to at least 3 other classmates’ threads in at least 250 words each. (CLO: B)

Annotated Bibliography Assignment

The student will submit an annotated bibliography comprising of 5 scholarly sources selected through Liberty University Online’s Library, “Christian Periodical Index,” or “ATLA Database.” These 5 sources should be related to the Research Project (see F Below). As with all assignments, this will be written according to current Turabian formatting. (CLO: A)

Position Paper Assignment

The student is to prepare a 1,000-word essay on the strengths and/or weaknesses of Dispensationalism in relation to Christian eschatology. This will function as a position paper concerning how the student views the theological system known as Dispensationalism. Interaction with other eschatological views is allowed (CLO: B).

Research Project Assignments (3)

The Research Project will be submitted in 3 stages.

Thesis and Summary Assignment: In Module: 4: Week 4, the student will submit a thesis statement, a summary of a research topic, a bibliography, and an annotation of the bibliography.  (CLOs: D, E)

Outline and Introduction Assignment: In Module 6: Week 6, the student will submit the outline and introduction in preparation for the final paper. A template will be provided in the Assignment Instructions folder for these 2 portions of the assignment.  (CLOs: D, E)

Final Submission Assignment: In Module 7: Week 7, the student will submit the final submission, which will be 12 – 15 pages.  (CLOs: D, E)

Reflection Paper Assignment

The student will submit a 2 – 3-page reflection paper in which he/she will reflect on the 3 most important doctrinal issues relating to eschatology as they pertain to ministry and the Christian worldview. (CLO: G)

Quizzes (2)

Quiz: Mid-Term: This is an objective quiz dealing with the principle agents and ideas shaping contemporary discussions in Christian eschatology as reflected in the assigned readings of Modules 1-4: Weeks 1–4. (CLOs: A, B, C)

Quiz: Final: This quiz will include a series of focused objective questions and several short essay questions dealing with the principle agents and ideas shaping contemporary discussions in Christian eschatology as reflected in the assigned readings of Modules 5-8: Weeks 5–8. (CLOs: A, B, C)