How We Believe: Foundations for Presbyterian Thought

About this course

Presbyterian theology is not simply a list of doctrines or a collection of perfectly settled answers. It is a communal practice of listening, interpreting, questioning, deciding, and remaining open to correction. This course invites students to explore how Presbyterians think theologically when Scripture, tradition, experience, conscience, and the needs of the church do not line up neatly. Students will learn to recognize large fault lines, inhabit faithful tension, and make responsible judgments without confusing certainty with faithfulness.

The course is grounded in the fourfold Word of God: Jesus Christ as the Living Word, Scripture as the Written Word, the Sacraments as the Visible Word, and preaching as the Spoken Word. These are not four competing authorities. Christ is above all; Scripture normatively bears witness to Christ; and Sacrament and preaching are practices through which the church encounters and proclaims the Word.

Students will read the Book of Confessions and Book of Order as important, historically situated responses of the church that remain subordinate and accountable to the Word of God. Their differences, silences, and internal tensions—including changes in the church’s understanding of ordination, authority, and inclusion—are not problems to hide. They are part of the evidence through which a Reformed church practices humility, discernment, and ongoing reform. Through case studies, conversation, and written reflection, students will practice explaining not only what Presbyterians believe, but how Presbyterians wrestle toward faithful action together.

Course purpose

Cultivate the capacity to think theologically in a distinctly Presbyterian way: rooted in the Word of God, honest about questions and tensions, accountable to the church, and able to make faithful but provisional judgments in community.

Course objectives

• Describe Presbyterian theology as a communal practice of listening, interpretation, discernment, and accountable decision-making rather than a closed list of answers.
• Explain the relationship among Jesus Christ as the Living Word, Scripture as the Written Word, the Sacraments as the Visible Word, and preaching as the Spoken Word, with Christ above all.
• Interpret Scripture with attention to literary form, historical context, the whole witness of Scripture, the rule of faith, and the wisdom of the worshiping community.
• Read the Book of Confessions as a plural, historically situated set of faithful responses that contains real differences and tensions while remaining subordinate to the Word of God.
• Use the Book of Order as a theological and communal framework for shared discernment without treating it as equal to Scripture or immune from reform.
• Identify major theological fault lines and name what faithful Christians are protecting on more than one side of a disputed question.
• Form and communicate provisional theological judgments with clarity, humility, reasons, and openness to correction.
• Apply Presbyterian practices of discernment to a contemporary question and a bounded ministry practice.

Additional course information

Engagement and Evaluation Evaluation will be based upon active participation, completion of assigned readings, engagement in group discussion, and written reflection. Students will: Read selected portions of the Book of Confessions and related theological resources. Participate in guided discussions and theological reflection exercises.

Complete short written assignments connecting Presbyterian theology to ministry practice. Develop and present a brief teaching lesson, devotional, or educational resource that communicates a core Presbyterian belief to a congregation or ministry setting. Successful completion of the course requires regular participation and demonstration of an emerging ability to interpret, explain, and apply Presbyterian theology within the life of the church.

Who may participate?

All church leaders unless a prerequisite or a particular offering states otherwise.