EM019-812 - Contemporary Theology of Mission

  • 2,976 Standard Tuition Fee
  • 12
    Credit Points
  • 0.125 EFT 
  • 8
    AQF level
  • Category developing unit
    B
  • evangelism missiolUnit Discipline

Exclusions

Prior to 2020, this unit content was delivered under the unit code EM604.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will

A. Know and understand

Demonstrate Advanced knowledge and understanding of, and the research underlying, the contemporary theology of Christian mission, including the methods and standards of professional, safe and ethical practice.

B. Be able to

1. Investigate the relationship between missiological perspectives and the post-1945 world situation

2. Examine the leading issues in the contemporary theology of Christian mission

3. Present Research-Aware evidence-based perspectives on the contemporary theology of Christian mission

C. Be in a position to

1. Applying perspectives and skills from ‘The Contemporary Theology of Mission’ to contemporary Christian life and ministry practice as a reflective practitioner

Content

A study of the theological issues arising in the Missionary and Ecumenical Conferences of the 20th century, with special reference to post-1961 conferences, including:

  1. The nature of mission; Missio Dei; holistic mission; evangelism and social justice; development; humanisation.
  2. Holistic salvation; liberation theology; the poor in God’s mission; evangelism; education, social responsibility, medicine and development.
  3. Conversion in a pluralistic world; syncretism; universalism.
  4. The church in relation to other faiths: dialogue; Christian presence; anonymous Christians.
  5. Developments in ecumenical, evangelical, charismatic, and Roman Catholic theologies of mission.

Set Readings

This unit's indicative bibliography is currently being revised. Students should contact their home college for further details at the time of taking this unit.


Prescribed

Ajulu, D., Holism in Development (Monrovia: MARC, 2001).

Bevans, S. B. and R. P. Schroeder, Constants in Context: A Theology of Mission for Today (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 2004).

Eitel, K. E. (ed.), Missions in Contexts of Violence, (Pasadena: William Carey, 2007).

Guthrie, S., Missions in the Third Millennium, (Carlisle: Paternoster Press, 2000).

Hiebert, P. G., Missiological Implications of Epistemological Shifts (Harrisburg, PA: TPI, 1999).

Kirk, J. A., What is Mission?: Theological Explorations (London: Darton, Longman & Todd, 1999).

Lewis, D. M. (ed.), Christianity Reborn: The Global Expansion of Evangelicalism in the Twentieth Century (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2004).

Myers, B. L., Walking with the Poor: Principles and Practices of Transformational Development, (Maryknoll: Orbis, 1999).

Packer, J. I. and T. C. Oden, One Faith:The Evangelical Consensus (Downers Grove: IVP, 2004).

Petrella, I., Latin American Liberation Theology: The Next Generation (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 2005).

Ram, E. (ed.), Transforming Health, (Monrovia: MARC, 1995).

Samuel, V. and C. Sugden (eds), The Church in Response to Human Need (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2003).

Samuel, V. and A. Hauser, Proclaiming Christ in Christ’s Way: Studies in Integral Evangelism, (Oxford: Regnum Books, 1989).

Sanneh, L., Whose Religion Is Christianity? The Gospel Beyond the West (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2003).

Stone, B., Evangelism After Christendom: The Theology and Practice of Christian Witness, (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2007). 

Thomas, N., Classic Texts in Mission and World Christianity (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1995).

 

Recommended

Schreiter, R., Constructing Local Theologies (Maryknoll: Orbis 1996).

Taylor, W. (ed.), Global Missiology for the 21st Century: the Iguassu Dialogue (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2000).

 

Classics

Bosch, D., Transforming Mission: Paradigm Shifts in Theology of Mission (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1991).

Nicholls, B. J., In Word and Deed: Evangelism and Social Responsibility, (Carlisle: Paternoster Press, 1985).

Samuel, V. & C. Sugden, Mission as Transformation, (Oxford:Regnum, 1999).