THEO 371 Outline

THE KING'S UNIVERSITY COLLEGE

COURSE NUMBER:

THEO 371

COURSE TITLE:

A Conspiracy of Goodness: Studies in Christian Mission

NAME OF INSTRUCTOR:

Roy Berkenbosch, M.Div.

CREDIT WEIGHT AND WEEKLY TIME DISTRIBUTION:

credits 3(hrs lect 3 - hrs sem 0 - hrs lab 0)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

A close examination of some central issues in Christian mission. Students will study key Biblical passages that inform the nature and scope of mission, explore contemporary images of mission, consider the nature of mission in the contemporary world, and examine topics such as the role of the church in urban renewal, the biblical nature of evangelism, the relationship of theology and development, liberation theology, inter-religious dialogue and others.

Prerequisites: THEO 250

REQUIRED TEXTS:

The Bible - you may a use a bible of your own choice
What is Mission? Theological Explorations by J.Andrew Kirk
The Open Secret by Leslie Newbigin

MARK DISTRIBUTION IN PERCENT:


Reading Journal	30%
Term paper	30%
Final Exam	40%

	100%

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Upon completion of the course, you should…

Be familiar with the missional nature of the Biblical story.
Have a clear and broad understanding of the concept of missio dei.
Be familiar with key events in the history of Christian mission.
Be aware of the church’s role as a transformational witness in contemporary culture.
Have the capacity, on the one hand, to examine critically approaches to mission that are fragmented and dualist and, on the other hand, to articulate a holistic approach to mission and development.
Be familiar with the principles and practices of integral responses to poverty and other social issues.
Be aware of current missional challenges and opportunities facing the Christian church.
Understand the nature of evangelism in the post modern context.
Have an emerging sense of personal vocation and calling as an agent of transformational witness.

COURSE OUTLINE:

Introduction, review syllabus
Foundations
The Open Secret
Evangelism
Gospel and Culture
The Myth of the Excluded Middle
Interfaith Dialogue
Justice for the Poor
Guest presentation – Inner City Outreach – Jeremiah Basuric
The Promise and Peril of Short term Mission
Guest presentation - History of Mission among Indigenous Peoples
Christianity and Islam
Guest Presentation - Restorative Justice
Building Peace
The Church in Mission

Required texts, assignments, and grade distributions may vary from one offering of this course to the next. Please consult the course instructor for up to date details.