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The case studies in the syllabus of the Student Notebook are not correct. The page numbers are off. Here are the update case studies.

Case Study #1:
The Theological Process
Introduction to Theology


This is going to be a "real life" case study. You are to find a person who would be willing to sit down and talk to you for thirty minutes to an hour. This person may or may not be a Christian. With your Student Notebook in hand the topic of your conversation is going to be explaining the theological process in session 2.

• Ask these questions before you begin:

1. What is Theology?
2. How does a person come to an understanding of theology?
3. What common mistakes do you think that a person commits with regards to the Bible and theology?

• After this, explain the different categories of theology.

• Then go through the theological process chart and the charts explaining the common mistakes that people make with regard to the use of the Bible in this process.


The object of this assignment is to help people understand the theological process in relation to Scripture.

After you are done, write a half page to a page summary of the encounter and hand it in. Grades will be based upon the completion of the assignment, not the effectiveness of the presentation. Everyone will receive an "A" who completes this.






Case Study #2:
Essentials and Non-Essentials
Introduction to Theology


This is going to be a "real life" case study. You are to find a person who would be willing to sit down and talk to you for thirty minutes to an hour. This is to be one who professes to be a Christian. With your Student Notebook in hand, you are to explain what you have learned concerning the distinction between the essentials and non-essentials in session 6.

• Walk through the Quadrant of Objectivity and then ask the questions. Help the person to think through where they place them.

• Explain the Concentric Circle of Importance.

• Finally, explain the Chart of Certainty and ask the questions on that follow.


The object of this assignment is to help your friend understand how to think through issues that concern faith, objectivity, and certainty.

Upon completion, write a half page to a page summary of the encounter and hand it in. Grades will be based upon the completion of the assignment, not the effectiveness of the presentation. Everyone will receive an "A" who completes this.

Rod Ready
Case Study #1
Intro. To Theology IT-3 September 1 class

I did my case study with a colleague of mine named Scott Norris. Scott has led the Fellowship of Christian Athletes local chapter in our school, and has no formal theological training.
Scott's answer to the beginning questions seemed to reveal him as a post-modern. When asked what theology was, he said that he did not know what answer was "right," but his understanding was that theology was "the study of God." When asked how a person comes to an understanding of theology, he said that while reading the Bible is probably the primary source, one's family and upbringing, one's culture, one's church, and discussions one has about God all have influence. When asked what common mistakes one makes with regard to the Bible and theology, Scott said the most common mistake he sees is that people take Scripture out of context. They may unaware of or disregard the historical and cultural context and simply make the passages say what they want them to say.
As I went through the categories of theology with Scott, he said that he focuses mostly on Scripture, with an emphasis on the historical context. He also said that he did not like the name "Apologetic" theology. The concept of defending our faith is important, he said, but the word "apologetic" makes it sound like we are apologizing for our faith in God. I explained that the word comes from a Greek word and simply means defending the truth of our faith, with the primary purpose of converting non-believers.
I covered the theological process of discerning what Scripture writings meant to the author and the intended audience. Then I discussed extrapolating from that the timeless truth or principle. Finally we still need to apply the principle to our time and culture to provide instruction on how we ought to live. I also explained how systematic theology provided a well-rounded view and opportunity for the Holy Spirit to shape our theology. He agreed.
The conversation concluded with him asking me questions about TTP and what I had learned from it so far. We had a good exchange and I thanked him. I felt like it did me a great deal of good in terms of having to know enough about the beginning theological concepts to sit and have a conversation with an average Christian. In that way the case study was very beneficial.