PC012-508 - Foundations of Preaching/Speaking to a Contemporary Culture

  • 1,856 Standard Tuition Fee
  • 8
    Credit Points
  • 0.083 EFT 
  • 5
    AQF level
  • Category foundational unit
    A
  • pastoral churchUnit Discipline

Exclusions

PC083-512

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will

A. Know and understand

Demonstrate Foundational knowledge and understanding of speaking to a contemporary culture, including the methods and standards of professional, safe and ethical practice.

B. Be able to

1. Describe selected world views from a Christian perspective

2. Comment on sermons that engage with selected world views

3. Present Organised evidence-based perspectives on the speaking to a contemporary culture

C. Be in a position to

1. Relating perspectives and skills from ‘Foundations of Preaching to Contemporary Culture’ to ministry contexts

Content

Topic A: What is a worldview?

  • The function of worldviews in human thought and action.
  • How a worldview is formed and how it is changed or transformed.
  • Reflection on issues involved in the development of a Christian worldview from Scripture.
  • Contextualisation of the gospel.

Topic B: What is a Christian worldview?

  • Theology and worldview
  • Christian worldviews and their application to Christian life and ministry.

Topic C: Non-Christian worldviews:

  • Atheism
  • Buddhism
  • Terrorism
  • Consumerism
     

Topic D: Application of a Christian Worldview

  • Literature and the arts
  • Ethics
  •  Health care
  • Media and communication - Creation care (ecotheology)
  • Cross cultural ministry

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.


Carson, D. A. Christ and Culture Revisited (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2008). Clifford, R. and P. Johnson. Jesus and the Gods of the New Age (Oxford: Lion 2001).

Detweiler, C. Into the Dark: Seeing the Sacred in the Top Films of the 21st Century (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2008).

Dickson, J., and S. Smart. A Spectator’s Guide to World Religions: An Introduction to the Big Five (Sydney, Blue Bottle, 2004).

Grenz, S.J. Created for Community: Connecting Christian Belief with Christian Living (2nd ed.; Grand Rapids: Baker, 1998).

Hiebert, P. G. Anthropological Insights for Missionaries (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1985)

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

Kohn, R. The New Believers (Sydney: Harper Collins, 2003).

Raiter, M. Stirrings of the Soul: Evangelicals and the New Spirituality (Sydney, Matthias, 2003).

Sire, J. W. Naming the Elephant: Worldview as a Concept (Downers Grove: IVP, 2004).

Sire, J. W. The Universe Next Door. 4th ed. (Leicester: IVP, 2004).

Sire, J. W. Why Should Anyone Believe Anything at All? (Leicester: IVP, 1994). Smart, S. (ed.), A Spectator’s Guide to Worldviews (Sydney: Blue Bottle, 2007).

Smart, S. (ed.), A Spectator’s Guide to World Views: Ten Ways of Understanding Life (Sydney: Blue Bottle, 2007).

Solomon, R. C. and K. M. Higgins. A Passion for Wisdom: A Very Brief History of Philosophy (New York: Oxford University Press, 1997).

Sproul, R. C. Jr. Tearing Down Strongholds (Phillipsburg: P&R, 2002).

Taylor, B. Entertainment Theology: New-edge Spirituality in a Digital Democracy (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2008).

Vanhoozer, K. J. (ed.), Everyday Theology: How to Read Cultural Texts and Interpret Texts (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2007).

Zacharias, R. (ed.), Beyond Opinion (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2007).

Zacharias, R. The End of Reason (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008).

 

Websites:

  • http://www.hollywoodjesus.com/ – Provides reviews of books, movies, music, and other popular culture and highlights Christian/spiritual connections within them.

  • www.publicchristianity.org – Centre for Public Christianity is a media and research organisation promoting the public understanding of the Christian faith.

  • www.christianitytoday.com – Christianity Today provides thoughtful, biblical perspectives on theology, church, ministry, and culture on the official site of Christianity Today Magazine

  • http://www.abc.net.au/religion/ – ABC stories, interviews and videos about religion and ethics. Edited by Scott Stephens and featuring the work of numerous high profile Australian Christian writers.