PC031-812 - Gospel, Church and Australian Culture

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

Exclusions

Prior to 2020, this unit content was delivered under the unit code PC712-4.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will

A. Know and understand

1. Demonstrate Advanced knowledge and understanding of, and the research underlying, the contextualisation of the Gospel with special reference to Australian culture

B. Be able to

1. Examine the theological principles and missiological tools involved in the contextualisation of the Gospel with special reference to Australian culture

2. Demonstrate skill in applying theological principles and key missiological tools in contextualising the Gospel with special reference to Australian culture

3. Present Research-Aware evidence-based perspectives on the contextualisation of the Gospel to Australian culture

C. Be in a position to

1. Applying Advanced perspectives and skills from ‘Gospel, Church and Australian Culture’ to ministry practice and Christian living as a reflective practitioner

Content

Introduction

  1. The Suburban Captivity of the Church

Section A: Culture

  1. Worldview, Culture and Cultural Narrative
  2. Cracking the Culture Code
    Exercise : Australian Culture
    Case Study: Analysis of the urban environment
  3. Field Trip Cultural Analysis
    Individual Field Trip
    Write up and create presentation

Section B: Gospel

  1. What is the Gospel?
  1. Contextualisation
  2. Case Study: Urban Culture Case study
  3. Case study: Battlers

Section C: Church

  1. Evaluating our Operational Ecclesiologies
  2. Towards a Missional Ecclesiology

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.


Key Texts:

Foster, Tim., The Suburban Captivity of the Church Contextualising the Gospel for Post-Christian Culture. Brunswick West: Acorn, 2014.

McKnight, Scot., The King Jesus Gospel: The Original Good News Revisited, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2011.

 

Recommended Texts:

Abraham, W.  The Logic of Evangelism. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1989.

Chester, Tim. Good News to the Poor: Sharing the Gospel through Social Involvement. Leicester: IP, 2004.

Clapp, R.  A Peculiar People: The Church as Culture in a Post-Christian Society.  Downers Grove: IVP, 1996.

Guder, D. L. ed. Missional Church: A Vision for the Sending of the Church in North America. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998.

Roxburgh, A. Reaching a New Generation: Strategies for Tomorrow’s Church. Downer’s Grove, IL: IVP, 1993.

 

References:

Arbuckle, G. A.  Earthing the Gospel: An Inculturation Handbook for the Pastoral Worker. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1990

Bertrand J. Mark, (Re)thinking Worldview: Learning to Think, Live, and Speak in This World  Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2007. [Ridley e-book]

Bosch, D.  Transforming Mission: Paradigm Shifts in Theology of Mission. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1991.

Bruce, Steve, Religion in the Modern World: From Cathedrals to Cults, Oxford: OUP, 1996

Chester, Tim and Steve Timmis, Total Church: A Radical Reshaping around Gospel and Community, Nottingham: IVP, 2007.

Clapp, R. (ed.) The Consuming Passion: Christianity & the Consumer Culture. Downers Grove, IL.: IVP Books, 1998.

Conn, Harvie M. (ed.) Planting and Growing Urban Churches : from Dream to Reality  Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1997 .

Cray, Graham, Disciples & Citizens: A Vision for Distinctive Living, Nottingham: IVP, 2007.

Detweiler & Taylor, A Matrix of Meanings: Finding God in Popular Culture. Grand Rapids, MI.: Baker, 2003. 

Drane, J. After McDonaldization: Mission, Ministry and Christian Discipleship in an Age of Uncertainty. Grand Rapids, MI.: Baker Academic, 2008. 

Goheen, M. “The Missional Church: Ecclesiological Discussion in the Gospel and Our Culture Network in North America” Missiology: An International Review, Vol. XXX, No. 4, October 2002, 479-90.

Guder, D. L. The Continuing Conversion of the Church. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000.

Hiebert, Paul G. Transforming Worldview: An Anthropological Understanding of How People Change. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2008. [Ridley e-book]

Honeywell, R. and Verity Byth, NEO Power: How the New Economic Order is Changing the Way We Live, Work and Play. Carlton North, VIC: Scribe Publications, 2006.

Hunsberger G & C van Gelder (eds.). Church Between Gospel and Culture: The Emerging Mission in North America, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans 1996.

Kenneson, Philip D. Beyond Sectarianism: Re-imaging Church and World.  Harrisburg, PA: Trinity Press International, 1999.

________. and Street, James L.  Selling out the Church – the Dangers of Church Marketing.  Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1997.

Kraft, C. Christianity in Culture: A Study in Biblical Theologizing in Cross-Cultural Perspective (2nd ed.) Maryknoll, NY.: Orbit, 2005.

Lander, C. Stuff White People Like: A Definitive Guide to the Unique Taste of Millions. New York: Random House, 2008.

McCarthy, D. M. Sex and Love in the Home: A Theology of the Household. London: SCM Press, 2001.

________. The Good Life: Genuine Christianity for the Middle Class. Grand Rapids, MI.: Brazos Press, 2004. 

Mackay, H. The Good life: What Makes Life Worth Living? Sydney: Macmillan, 2013.

Murray, S. Post Christendom: Church and Mission in a Strange New World. Carlisle, Cumbria: Paternoster Press, 2004.

Newbigin, L.  Foolishness to the Greeks: the Gospel and Western Culture, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1986.

________.  The Gospel in a Pluralistic Society. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1989.

Peel, Mark. Lowest Rung: Voices of Australian Poverty, CUP, 2003.

Romanowski, W. D. Eyes Wide Open: Looking for God in Popular Culture. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2007.

Roxburgh, A and M. Scott Boran, Introducing the Missional Church: What it is and Why it Matters, How to Become One, Grand Rapids: Baker, 2009.

Roxburgh, A and F. Romanuk. The Missional Leader: Equipping Your Church to Reach a Changing World. San Francisco, CA: Josey Bass, 2006.

Sine, T. The New Conspirators: Creating a New Future One Mustard Seed at a Time. Downers Grove, IL.: IVP Books, 2008.

Sire, James W. Naming the Elephant: Worldview as a Concept. [2nd edition] Downers Grove, Illinois:IVP Academic, 2015. [Ridley e-book]

Towns, Elmer L. et. al., Evaluating the Church Growth Movement: 5 Views. Grand Rapids, MI.: Zondervan, 2004. 

Tretheway, J. Aussie Battlers. Burwood, VIC: Collins Dove, 1989.

van Gelder, C. ed., Confident Witness, Changing World: Rediscovering the Gospel in North America, Grand Rapids MI: Eerdmans, 1999.

van Gelder, C. “From Corporate Church To Missional Church: The Challenge Facing Congregations Today” Review & Expositor, 101, Summer 2004. 425-450.

Wright, N. T. New Tasks for a Renewed Church. London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1992.

________.  What Saint Paul Really Said: Was Saint Paul of Tarsus the Real Founder of Christianity? Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997.