Core

Natural Law and Scriptural Authority

Taught by Dr. Brad Littlejohn
Runs 9/26-12/10/22
$225.00 – $399.00

 

Although Protestants are familiar with the doctrine of sola Scriptura, they are less familiar with the equally important Reformation teaching that God reveals himself through the “two books” of Scripture and nature, and how the two relate. This course, with readings from Aquinas, Calvin, Hemmingsen, and Hooker, along with key Scriptural passages, will help students understand the meaning of sola Scriptura and the use of moral reason in classical Protestantism.

Deadline to register: Wednesday, September 14th

 

ENROLLMENT OPTIONS

Auditing ($225):

participate in readings and live class sessions, but no graded assignments and no course credit

Full course (Full-Time Discount) ($275):

for-credit courses (at least four per term) toward our Certificate or M.Litt in Classical Protestantism

Full course ($399):

individual classes on a for-credit basis; you can later apply them toward a Certificate or Degree

 

ENROLL NOW

Enrollment for this course has closed.

Description

Taught by Dr. Bradford Littlejohn, this course will run from September 26 through December 10. The syllabus can be found here, a video preview of the course here, and a relevant blog post here. 

 

Although Protestants are well-familiar with the classical Protestant insistence on the doctrine of sola Scriptura, they are less familiar with the equally important teaching of the Reformers that God reveals himself through the “two books” of Scripture and nature. As Paul teaches in Romans 1 and 2, God has revealed enough of his nature to render us “without excuse” and given us a moral law “written on our hearts.” In an age that is in rebellion not merely against Scripture but against nature, it is urgent for us to recover both, and to understand a right how each serves to illuminate the other, and to help us walk faithfully in the midst of uncertainty.

 

This course, making use of classic readings from Aquinas, Calvin, Hemmingsen, and Hooker, along with meditation on key passages of Scripture, will help the student gain a right understanding of the meaning of sola Scriptura and the use of moral reason in classical Protestantism.

 

Dr. Bradford Littlejohn (Ph.D., University of Edinburgh) is the Founder and President of the Davenant Institute. He also works as a Fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center and has taught for several institutions, including Moody Bible Institute-Spokane, Bethlehem College and Seminary, and Patrick Henry College. He is recognized as a leading scholar of the English theologian Richard Hooker and Has published and lectured extensively in the fields of Reformation history, Christian ethics, and political theology. He lives in Landrum, SC with his wife, Rachel, and four children. Follow him on Twitter at @WBLITTLEJOHN.

 

 

Details

Online only, runs 10 weeks, meeting 2hr/wk. via Zoom. Students will also have the option to participate in class discussion in the Davenant Common Room Discord server. Register now to reserve your spot. The course will proceed contingent on sufficient enrollment; on rare occasions, a class has to be cancelled due to insufficient interest. Once the registration period closes, the class meeting time will be set on the basis of a poll of availability from registrants. In case of cancellation or scheduling conflicts, students will be eligible for a refund or a transfer to another course.

 

 Although a Bachelor’s degree is not a necessary pre-requisite for this course, students should come prepared to do graduate-level work.