EM037-812 - Scripture Engagement

  • 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 EM637.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will

A. Know and understand

Demonstrate Advanced knowledge and understanding of, and the research underlying, scripture engagement

B. Be able to

1. Investigate the nature of scripture engagement

2. Critique selected approaches to scripture engagement

3. Demonstrate skills in producing scripture engagement materials for different ethnolinguistic contexts

4. Present Research-Aware evidence-based perspectives on scripture engagement

C. Be in a position to

1. Applying perspectives and skills from ‘Scripture Engagement’ to ministry practice as a reflective practitioner

Content

1. SE and its uses

  • Definition and theological rationale
  • Purpose and functions
  • Benefits

2. Aspects of SE:

  • Worldview – cultural research, contextualisation issues for various worldviews (purity, honour/shame, Muslim etc.)
  • Language – Bible translation, mother tongue, prestige of language(s), acceptable dialect choice, orthography/writing issues
  • Community structures – influential partners, serving local churches’ vision, community ownership, distribution channels
  • Communication channels – orality, arts, literacy, media
  • Religious milieu – Bible knowledge, serving church, denominations
  • Felt needs – exploring and addressing

3. Methods of contextualisation:

  • Worldview – gospel and culture workshops e.g. ‘Culture meets Scripture’
  • Language – translation processes, church and community relations
  • Community structures – church and community relations, partnership, Sunday school lessons, Bible studies, sermons, Faith Comes by Hearing, marketing and distribution
  • Communication channels – oral storytelling, radio, arts, Jesus film and other films, phones, literacy, internet
  • Religious milieu – Bible background materials, Chronological Bible Stories, Critical thinking workshops
  • Felt needs – Good News Encounters; Trauma Healing, HIV/AIDS, and SE workshops

4. The processes of SE:

  • Action cycles: Researching the context – Action – Reflection; starting early and checking SE activities are feeding into the key community drivers and needs
  • Building and increasing local participation in the contextualising, planning for, and implementation of SE
  • Ongoing adaptation to evolving technologies/methods

Set Readings

Prescribed readings:

Dye, Wayne, T. “Eight Conditions of Scripture Engagement: Social and Cultural Factors Necessary for Vernacular Bible Translation to Achieve Maximum Effect,” International Journal of Frontier Missiology 26, no. 2 (2009), http://www.ijfm.org/PDFs_IJFM/26_2_PDFs/89-98_Eight%20Conditions.pdf, (accessed 15/1/2016), 89-98.

Mischke, Werner. The Global Gospel: Achieving Missional Impact in our Multicultural World (Scottsdale, Arizona: Mission ONE, 2015).

Moreau, Scott. Contextualisation in World Missions: Mapping and Assessing Evangelical Models (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2012).

 

Recommended:

Dowsett, R. (ed.). Global Mission: Reflections and Case Studies in Contextualisation for the Whole Church (Pasadena: William Carey Library, 2011).

Hill, Harriet and Margaret Hill. Translating the Bible into Action: How the Bible can be relevant in all Languages and Cultures (Carlisle, UK: Piquant, 2008).

Krabill, James, Frank Fortunato, Robin Harris, and Brian Schrag (eds). Worship and Mission for the Global Church: An Ethnodoxology Handbook (Pasadena: William Carey Library, 2013).

Lane, Denis. One World, Two Minds: Eastern and Western Outlooks in a Changing World (Littleton, CO: OMF, 2008).

Madinger, Charles. “Coming to Terms with Orality: A Holistic Model” Missiology: An International Review vol. 38, no. 2 (April 2010), 201-213.

Ott, Craig and Harold, A. Netland (eds). Globalizing Theology: Belief and Practice in an Era of World Christianity (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2006).

Schrag, Brian. Creating Local Arts Together: A Manual to Help Communities Reach Their Kingdom Goals. General editor, James Krabill. (Pasadena: William Carey Library, 2013).

Tucker, Frank. Intercultural Communication for Christian Ministry (Charleston: CreateSpace, 2013).

Woodberry, J.D. From Seed To Fruit: Global Trends, Fruitful Practices, and Emerging Issues among Muslims (2nd ed.; Pasadena: William Carey Library, 2011).

Willis, Avery and Steve Evans (compilers). Making Disciples of Oral Learners (UK: ION/LCWE, 2007).

Wu, Jackson. One Gospel for All Nations: A Practical Approach to Biblical Contextualisation (Pasadena: William Carey, 2015).

A set of other relevant readings and website addresses are also provided electronically. These include a description of Culture meets Scripture Workshops by West and Shetler and various workshop reports.