EM065-512 - Biblical Theology of Mission: An Introduction

  • 2,784 Standard Tuition Fee
  • 12
    Credit Points
  • 0.125 EFT 
  • 5
    AQF level
  • Category foundational unit
    A
  • evangelism missiolUnit Discipline

Exclusions

Prior to 2020, this unit content was delivered under the unit code EM207.

Content

A study of the biblical foundations for mission, and the application of biblical principles to some issues in contemporary missionary theology and practice.

Section A: Biblical Foundations (60%)

God as Creator: the divine nature; relation to the world, humanity, and the nations.

The nature and fall of humanity; the missiological significance of Babel.

God and Israel: election, covenant, and responsibility.

God’s universal purposes: in Psalms and prophetical writings.

The messianic hope and the kingdom of God.

The significance of the intertestamental period for missiology.

The gospels as missionary documents; the kingdom of God and the missionary understanding of Jesus; Jesus, the Gentiles and the missionary mandate.

The Holy Spirit in the mission of the church; missionary principles in Acts; ethnic barriers and cross-cultural mission.

The Pauline theology of mission: gospel and law; spiritual gifts for ministry; the future hope.

Opposition to the purposes of God: spiritual warfare.

Mission and eschatology.

 

Section B: Contemporary Issues in Mission (40%)

The nature of mission; missio Dei; holistic mission; evangelism and social justice; development; humanisation.

Holistic salvation; liberation theology.

The gospel and the poor.

Conversion in a pluralistic world.

Universalism; inter-religious dialogue; relating to other faiths.

Current theologies of mission—ecumenical, evangelical, Roman Catholic.

Set Readings

Prescribed:

Bolt, P. and M. Thompson (eds), The Gospel to the Nations: Perspectives on Paul's Mission (Leicester; Downers Grove, IL: Apollos; IVP, 2000).

Christian, J., God of the Empty Handed: Poverty, Power and the Kingdom of God (Monrovia: MARC,1999).

Claydon, D. (ed.), A New Vision, A New Heart, A Renewed Call (Pasadena: William Carey, 2005).

Glasser, A., Announcing the Kingdom: The Story of God's Mission in the Bible (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2003).

Kaiser, W. C., Mission in the Old Testament: Israel as a Light to the Nations (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2000).

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

Peskett, H. and V. Ramachandra, The Message of Missions: The Glory of Christ in All Time and Space (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2003).

Piper, J., Let the Nations Be Glad! The Supremacy of God in Missions (2nd ed.; Grand Rapids: Baker, 2003).

Shenk C. E., Who Do You Say That I am? Christians Encounter with Other Religions (Scottdale: Herald Press, 1997).

Van Engen, C. E., et al, The Good News of the Kingdom: Mission Theology for the Third Millennium (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 1998).

Van Engen, C. N. Thomas and R. Gallagher (eds), Footprints of God: A Narrative Theology of Mission, (Monroivia: MARK, 1999).

 

Recommended:

Corrie, J., Dictionary of Mission Theology (Nottingham: IVP, 2007).

Hedlund, R. E., Roots of the Great Debate in Mission (3rd ed.; Bangalore: Theological Book Trust, 1997).

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

Larkin, W. J. et al, Mission in the New Testament: An Evangelical Approach (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1998).

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).

Carson, D. A. (ed.), Telling the Truth (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000).