EM506 - Issues in Missiology

  • 0 Standard Tuition Fee
  • 4
    Credit Points
  • 0.125 EFT 
  • 7
    AQF level
  • evangelism missiolUnit Discipline

Exclusions

EM501.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will

A. Know and understand

1. The history of Christian mission.

2. The interaction of gospel and culture.

3. Christian mission in a particular geographical region.

4. Selected approaches to issues in missiology.

B. Be able to

1. Explain developments in the history of Christian mission.

2. Analyse the cultural and sociological factors which affect contemporary mission.

3. Discuss the impact of missionary activity in a particular geographical region.

4. Present a Critical evidence-based perspective on issues in missiology.

5. Evaluate selected approaches to issues in missiology.

C. Be in a position to

1. Integrate perspectives from ‘Issues in Missiology’ with their other theological and ministry studies.

2. Examine current issues in mission in the light of ‘Issues in Missiology’.

3. Apply perspectives from ‘Issues in Missiology’  to personal formation and ministry contexts.

Content

Section A: Selected Topics in the History of Christian Mission

1. The expansion of Christianity to AD 312 and the rise of monasticism;

2. Celtic monasticism (Patrick) and the work of Irish peregrini in the British Isles and on the Continent (Columba, Aidan, Columbanus, Gallus);

3. The Roman mission to England (Augustine) and the work of Anglo-Saxon missionaries on the Continent (Boniface);

4. The rise of Islam and early Franciscan attempts to win Muslim people (Francis himself, Ramon Lull);

5. The founding of the Society of Jesus and the work of notable Jesuits (Xavier, de Nobili, Ricci);

6. The rise of Pietism and early Protestant endeavours from the Continent (the Danish-Halle mission and the Moravian movement);

7. William Carey and the foundation of the voluntary societies.

8. James Hudson Taylor and the beginnings of the faith mission movement.

9. Key developments in the late 19th century and 20th centuries (eg. Student Volunteer Movement, “tent-making”, unreached peoples, Third World mission, etc.).

Section B: Gospel and Culture

10. What is Culture?

11. A Theology of Gospel and Culture.

12. Processes by which Cultures change.

13. Conversion and Culture.

14. The Indigenous Church.

15. Ancestor Worship.

16. Mission in Australian Culture.

17. Aboriginal Culture and the Gospel.

Section C: Area Study

A study of the history of mission, patterns of thought of the peoples, and the results of missionary activity in one of the following areas:

1. Africa (south of the Sahara).

2. Middle East.

3. Indian subcontinent.

4. East Asia.

5. South America.

6. Australia, or New Zealand and the Pacific.

Alternatively, an in depth study of a country or smaller areas may be submitted.

Set Readings

Prescribed

Anderson, G. H., et al, Mission Legacies: Biographical Studies of Leaders of the Modern Missionary Movement (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1994).

Athyal, S., Church in Asia Today: Challenges and Opportunities (Singapore: Asia Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization, 1996).

Burnett, D., Clash of Worlds (London: Monarch, 2002).

Bjarati, D., Living Water and Indian Bowl: An Analysis of Christian Failings in Communicating, Christ to Hindus, with Suggestions Toward Improvements (Pasadena: William Carey, 2004).

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

Escobar, S., The New Global Mission: The Gospel from Everywhere to Everywhere (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2003).

Harris, J., We Wish We’d Done More (Adelaide: Open Book, 1998).

Hiebert, P., Anthropological Reflections on Missiological Issues (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1994).

Iraola, A E., True Confucians, Bold Christians: Korean Missionary Experience; A Model for the Third Millenium, (New York: Rodopi, 2007).

Irvin, D. T. and S. W. Sunquist, History of the World Christian Movement: Earliest Christianity to 1453 (Vol. I; Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 2001).

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

Lingenfelter, S., Transforming Culture: A Challenge for Christian Missions (2nd ed.; Grand Rapids: Baker, 1990).

McDonald, H., Blood, Bones and Spirit: Aboriginal Christianity in an East Kimberley Town (Melbourne: Melbourne University, 2002).

Ramachandra, V. Gods That Fail, (Downers Grove: IVP,1996).

Sanneh, L., Disciples of all Nations: Pillars of World Christianity (Oxford: OUP, 2008).

Tucker, R. A., From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya: A Biographical History of Christian Missions (2nd ed.; Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2004).

Walls, A., The Missionary Movement in Christian History: Studies in Transmission of Faith (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1996).

Recommended

Jenkins, P., The Next Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity (Oxford; New York: OUP, 2002).

Sweet, L. (ed.), The Church in Emerging Culture: Five Perspectives (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003).

Wells, D., God in the Wasteland (Grand Rapids: Wm.B. Eerdmans, 1994).

Classics

Neill, S. C. and O. Chadwick, A History of Christian Missions, (Rev. 2nd ed.; London; New York: Penguin, 1990).

Nicholls, B., Contextualization: A Theology of Gospel and Culture (Vancouver: Regent College, 1979).

Stott, J., Making Christ Known, Carlisle: (Paternoster Press, 1996).