25
Lessons
25
Videos
25
QUIZ
6 Weeks
Duration
English
Language
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course emphasizes on the study of principles and presuppositions of the global Christian Mission and on developing a Biblical theology that leads to a God-centered mission to serve the church. Upon completion of this course, the students will grow a Biblical rationale for the missionary activity of the church, understand the Biblical motivation for involvement in missions, and develop skills in practical ministry that is biblically and theologically grounded.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Thinking (Knowledge)
- This course is an Introduction to the Biblical Theology of Missions as the response of the church to the world.
- It is to enable the student to understand the importance of Christian missions based on Biblical Theology through careful studies and apply it in the personal and ministerial dimension of his/her life.
- It is to interact with a number of thinkers in the area of the Biblical theology of Missions
- Acquire knowledge to develop personal contributions in Biblical rationale for the missionary activity of the church
- To gain a deeper historical perspective of the current missionary activity of the church
Experience (Skills)
- The course maintains an overall aim to enable the student to engage in Christian missions properly for the ministry of the church and develop essential skills to read, listen, watch (multimedia and digital resources technology) and observe mission activities based on Biblical theology parallel with the current church practices.
- Evaluate current Christian Missions in light of Biblical Theology
- Contribute to and participate in Christian Missions meaningfully to revitalize and execute effective ministry in practice.
Relational (Attitude & Behaviour)
- The course expects to help the student consider the Biblical Theology of missions as significant for living. It challenges and imparts to the student’s relational, behavioral, moral, and ethical values deriving from Bible-based models and demonstrates them in his/her interpersonal and public life.
- Give increasing value to the global Christian Mission and work towards it based on Biblical Theology
- Enhance awareness on developing the right attitude in practical ministry that is Biblically and Theologically grounded
- Distinguish holistic mission based on Bible
- Advance a broader appreciation of the wide variety of Christian mission assistances
Spirituality (Devotion & Passion)
- The course expects the students to develop devotion to the mission of God.
- This course encourages students to engage in spirituality that will bring an ability to move the church towards God and develop a passion for righteousness, truth, and justice relevant to the context
- Biblical Theology of Mission is developed based on proper Biblical knowledge, and guidance of the Holy Spirit to the proper execution in the context.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
REQUIRED READING
Bosch, David J. The Transforming Mission: Paradigm Shifts in Theology of Mission. Maryknoll, New York: Orbis, 1991.
Wright, Christopher J. H. Mission of God: Unlocking the Grand Narrative of the Bible. Illinois: Intervarsity Press, 2006.
SUPPLEMENTARY / RECOMMENDED READING AND TOOLS (Bibliography)
Bauckham, Richard. Bible and Mission: Christian Witness in a Postmodern World. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2004.
Court, John (ed.) Christology and Discipleship in the Gospel of Mark. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006.
Goheen, Michael W. Introducing Christian Mission Today. Illinois: IVP Academic, 2014.
Hick, John. God Has Many Names. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1982.
Kaiser, Walter C., Jr. Mission in the Old Testament: Israel as a Light to the Nations. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 2000.
Kane, Herbert J. Christian Missions in Biblical Perspective. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1983.
Kilby, Karen. Karl Rahner Theology and Philosophy. London: Routledge Tylor & Francis Group, 2004.
Knitter, Paul F. No other Name: A Critical Survey of Christian Attitude Towards World Religions. New York: Orbis Books, 1985.
Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization. “The Uniqueness of Christ in a Postmodern World and the Challenge of World Religions.” In Lausanne Occasional Paper No. 31.
Moreau, A. Scott. Ed. Evangelical Dictionary of World Missions. Baker Reference. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2000.
Morgan, Christopher W. & Peterson, Robert A. (eds.) Faith Comes by Hearing: A Response to Inclusivism. Illinois: IVP Academic, 2008.
Muck, Terry C. & Adeney, Frances S. Christianity Encountering World Religions. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2009.
Nash, Ronald H. Is Jesus the Only Saviour? Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1994.
Netland Harold. Encountering Religious Pluralism, The Challenge to Christian Faith and Mission. Illinois, 2001.
Newbigin, Leslie. The Gospel in a Pluralistic Society. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans; Geneva: WCC, 1989.
Newbigin, Leslie. The Open Secret: An Introduction to the Theology of Mission. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1995.
Ormerod, Neil J. & Clifton, Shane. Globalization and the Mission of the Church. London: T&T Clark, 2009.
Peters, George W. A Biblical Theology of Missions. Chicago: Moody Press, 1972.
Pinnock, Clark. A Wideness in God’s Mercy: Finality of Jesus Christ in a World of Religions. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishers, 1992.
Sanders, John. No Other Name: An Investigation into the Destiny of the Unevangelized. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1992.
Shenk, Wilbert. “Recasting Theology of Mission: Impulses from the Non-Western World.” International Bulletin of Missionary Research 25, no. 3 (2001): 98-107.
Strauss, Stephen J. & Ott, Craig. Encountering Theology of Mission: Biblical Foundations, Historical Developments, and Contemporary Issues. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2010.
Sugirtharajah, Sharada (ed.) Religious Pluralism and the Modern World. Kirby Street: Palgrave Macmillan, 2012.
Tennent, Timothy C. Christianity at the Religious Roundtable: Evangelicalism in Conversation with Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002.
Tiessen, Terrance L. Who Can be Saved? Illinois: Intervarsity Press, 2004.
Van Engen, Charles. Mission on the Way. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1996.
Winter, Ralph D. Perspectives on the World Christian Movement. Pasadena, CA: William Carey Library, 1999.
GUIDELINES FOR INTERACTIONS
We anticipate our students to have varied viewpoints which will enrich the discussions in our learning community. Therefore, we ask our students to be charitable and respectful in their interactions with each other and to remain focused on the topic of discussion, out of respect to others who have committed to being a part of this learning community.
ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING
- Discussion Forum
A. Weekly Discussions and Written Responses: 200 Words each (Total 35%).
Late responses are not accepted. Each week’s initial response is due on Wednesday (11:59pm) and interactions with other responses are due on Saturday (11:59pm).
Attendance in this course is demonstrated by regular log-ins and up-to-date participation in forums.
Every Monday a weekly discussion question will become visible. Each student will read through the question and take time to formulate a response.
Aim for responses that display a thorough understanding of the textbooks and primary sources relevant to each question and a clear engagement with the class discussions and lectures, especially identifying areas of your understanding of each week’s themes that have challenged, changed, and/or enriched you. This is not a summary of the readings and the lectures, but a response to particular themes/arguments. Be specific and brief, but not superficial.
The initial response should be 200 words but there is no set limit on words for the subsequent interactions between students. In order to maximize the benefit of this element of the course, the student should post his/her initial response by 11:59 pm on Wednesday of the week and then spend the remainder of that week interacting with their colleagues in the class until Saturday at 11:59pm.
Each weekly questions and themes will be discussed on following week during optional class meetings
Discussion Forum and Grading Rubric (see the General Grading from FBC Grading standards)
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Areas of Evaluation
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Grade A
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Grade B
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Grade C
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Grade D
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Completeness of post
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Addresses all parts of question; meets and did not exceed word limit; comprehensive response
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Addresses all parts of question; respectable length & did not exceed limit; somewhat comprehensive
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Addresses some parts of question; shorter length; incomplete post
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Rarely addresses question; far too short or far too long; incomplete post
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Clarity of post
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Clear and concise posts; grammatically correct with rare
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Clear, but can be more concise; a few grammatical or spelling errors
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Somewhat clear, but with significant number of errors in spelling and grammar
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Unclear, poor spelling and grammar in most posts
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Critical engagement with class material (lectures, readings)
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Thoughtful; opinions and ideas are substantiated with class material and additional resources (quotations and/or references); active reflection & questioning; obvious integration with one’s context
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Thoughtful; opinions and ideas are occasionally substantiated with class material; some reflection & questioning; some integration
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Less thoughtful; opinions and ideas are sometimes substantiated with class material; insufficient reflection & questioning; less integration with one’s context
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Opinions and ideas are not substantiated with class material; no reflection & questioning; no integration with one’s context
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Promptness & quality of responses
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Posting on time; responds to all group members’ comments on your post, interacting with other students’ postings in timely manner; thoughtful responses
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Posting on time; responds to some of group members’ comments on your post, limited interaction with other students’ postings in timely manner; somewhat thoughtful responses
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Posting mostly on time; interaction with only 1-2 students’ postings; less thoughtful responses
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Late posting; rarely responds to group members’ comments on your post and/or students’ postings; responses not thoughtful
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B. Reading Response to Christopher J. Wright, * (15%) Due on the last day of the 3rd Week.
Read 300 pages from the “Recommended Source” list in this syllabus (above). Prepare a critical book review with less than 3 pages (15 Marks).
C. Essay/Research Paper: 1000 Words, 35%. (25 Marks) Due on the last day of classes.
- Based on your biblical and historical overview, discuss the validity of Christian Missions based on Biblical Theology for fulfilling the mission of God today and how it should be part of our ministry today. If possible, identify a mission organization that demonstrates the use of the practice in a way that is faithful to your mission perspective.
D. SUMMARY OF ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING
Evaluation is based upon the completion of the following assignments:
1. | Weekly Discussions and Responses | 35 % |
2. | Quiz | 15 % |
3. | Critical Book Review | 15 % |
4. | Research/Essay Paper | 35 % |
5. | Total Grade | 100 % |
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR THE SUBMISSION OF WRITTEN WORK
Submission Method and Late Submission
Submission: Papers to be submitted electronically in .doc or .docx format via Global Classroom
Late Submission Penalties:
- Weekly Responses and Primary Source Analysis Paper will NOT be accepted as
- All other late assignments will be penalized 1% (1 point) per
Citing References
In all assigned work, proper style guidelines must be used and followed exactly; failure to do so will render the submitted assignment unacceptable.
For proper citation style, consult the FBC Style Guide or the full edition of the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers: Seventh Edition, especially chapters 5 and 6 for arrangement of entries through in-text citations and Works Cited.
Academic Integrity
Integrity in academic work is required of all our students. Academic dishonesty is any breach of this integrity, and includes such practices as cheating (the use of unauthorized material on tests and examinations), submitting the same work for different classes without permission of the instructors; using false information (including false references to secondary sources) in an assignment; improper or unacknowledged collaboration with other students, and plagiarism.
Global Classroom takes seriously its responsibility to uphold academic integrity, and to penalize academic dishonesty.
COURSE EVALUATION (Feedback)
Global Classroom values quality in the courses it offers its students. End-of-course evaluations provide valuable student feedback and are one of the ways that Global Classroom works towards maintaining and improving the quality of courses and the student’s learning experience. Student involvement in this process is critical to enhancing the general quality of teaching and learning.
Before the end of the course, students will receive an email with a link to the online course evaluation. The link can also be found in the left column on the course page. The evaluation period is 2 weeks; after the evaluation period has ended, it cannot be reopened.
Course Evaluation results will not be disclosed to the instructor before final grades in the course have been submitted and processed. Student names will be kept confidential and the instructor will only see the aggregated results of the class.
ONLINE PRIMARY SOURCE READINGS
The readings can be found as PDF files on the course web page under “Materials”.
