EM045-812 - Cultural Exegesis

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

Exclusions

Prior to 2020, this unit content was delivered under the unit code EM722-4.

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 principles and practice of cultural analysis with particular reference to the intersection of theology and culture

B. Be able to

1. Examine recent scholarship on cultural theory and its application to missional leadership

2. Demonstrate skill in utilising diverse scholarship and learning in the practice of cultural exegesis

3. Present Research-Aware evidence-based perspectives on the principles and practice of cultural analysis with particular reference to the intersection of theology and culture

C. Be in a position to

Applying Advanced perspectives and skills from ‘Cultural Exegesis’ to ministry practice and Christian living as a reflective practitioner

Content

Section A: Principles and theory of cultural exegesis

  1. An introduction to cultural theory, contemporary culture, subculture
  2. The intersection of theology and culture
  3. Brief analysis and critique of Christian worldview
  4. The impact of culture on our formation

Section B: The practice of cultural exegesis

  1. Reading the culture and thinking through appropriate strategies for interaction from a critical and theological perspective.
  2. Engaging with culture as a missional leader
  3. Exegeting cultural artefacts and demonstrating how they influence a context.
  4. Applying a Kingdom of God narrative to the culture.
  5. Critically engaging with a culture for evangelism and context penetration.
  6. The connection between exegesis and contextualization

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.


Beach, Lee The Church in Exile: Living in Hope after Christendom, Downers Grove: IVP, 2015

Benesh S and Arnold, D. Vespas, Cafes, Singlespeed Bikes and Urban Hipsters: Gentrification, Urban Mission and Church Planting. Create Space Independent Publishing platform, 2014.

Crouch, A., Culture Making: Recovering Our Creative Calling, Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2008.

Drane, J. Cultural Change and Biblical Faith, Carlisle, UK: Paternoster Press, 2000.

Dreyfus, H. and Kelly, S.D. All Things Shining: Reading the Western Classics to Find Meaning in a Secular Age, New York: Free Press, 2011.

Foster, T. The Suburban Captivity of the Church: Contextualising the gospel for  Post Christian Australia, Melbourne: Acorn Press, 2014.

Harris Brian. The Big Picture: Building Blocks of a Christian Worldview, London: Paternoster, 2015.

Hjalmarson, L., No home like place: A Christian Theology of Place, Urban Loft Publishers, 2015.

Hjalmarson, L., Text and Context: Church planting in Canada in Post Christendom, Create Space Independent Publishing Platform, 2013.

Holt S., God Next Door: Spirituality and Mission in the Neighbourhood. Melbourne: Acorn Press, 2007.

Hunter, J.D., To Change the World: The Irony, Tragedy, and Possibility of Christianity in the Late Modern World, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009.

Jacobsen, E., The Space Between: A Christian Engagement with the built Environment, Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2012.

Kraft, C.H. Worldview for Christian Witness, Pasadena,CA: William Carey Library, 2008.

Livermore, D., Cultural Intelligence: Improving your CQ to Engage our Multicultural World, Grand Rapids, IL: Baker Academic, 2009.

McCrary, L. Crider, C. Stephens, W. Calfee, R. Tradecraft: For the Church on Mission (NY: Create Space Independent Publishing platform, 2013.)

Morisy A., Bothered and Bewildered: Enacting Hope in Troubled times, London: Continuum International Publishing Group, 2009.

Niebuhr, R., Christ and Culture, 50th Anniversary Edition, New York: Harper and Row, 2001.

Roxburgh, Alan., Missional: Joining God in the Neighbourhood, Grand Rapids: Baker, 2011.

Steigerwald D., Growing Local Missionaries: Equipping Churches to Sow Shalom in their own Cultural Backyard, Create Space Independent Publishing platform, 2014.

Storey, J. Cultural Theory and Popular Culture: An Introduction, Abingdon, UK: Routledge, 2012.

Soerens T, Sparks, P, Friesen D. The New Parish: How Neighbourhood Churches are transforming Mission, Discipleship and Community. Downers Grove: IVP, 2014.

Taylor, C., Modern Social Imaginaries, Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2003.

Toh, J. ‘Everyday Theology in the iWorld’ in Frost, M. ed., Speaking of Mission Volume 2, Macquarie Park: Morling Press, 2013.

Vanhoozer, K., et al, eds. Everyday Theology: How To Read Cultural Texts and Interpret Trends, Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007

Volf, M., A Public Faith Grand Rapids: Brazos, 2011.

Wilkens S and Sanford M., Hidden Worldviews: Eight Cultural stories that shape our lives, Downers Grove: IVP, 2009.