PR 741-HA Preaching Christ in a Multi-Faith World Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Summer III 2017 July 30 th August 4 th 9:00am-4:00pm

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1 1 Matthew D. Kim Library # I. Course Description PR 741-HA Preaching Christ in a Multi-Faith World Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Summer III 2017 July 30 th August 4 th 9:00am-4:00pm Preachers face the reality that we live in an increasingly diverse religious society that is intolerant and even hostile toward Christianity. This course is intended for preachers to intentionally explore the multi-faith contexts in which we minister and preach. Students will be given relevant tools to communicate God s Word to listeners who come from various religious and non-religious backgrounds. Students will deliver a 5-minute evangelistic message for one specific religious context and receive feedback from the instructor. Students will also write a 25-minute sermon manuscript for the same context as the 5-minute sermon. II. Course Relationship to the Curriculum Building on PR 601, this course is an elective that develops students awareness and understanding of the diverse religious landscape in which we live and preach. Students will increase their knowledge and ability to contextualize the gospel and biblical truth for various faith communities. III. Course Objectives To be able to defend the Christian faith against the teachings of other religions and secular worldviews. To grow in understanding and sensitivity to other religions and expressions of faith. To integrate knowledge from other seminary courses such as world missions, evangelism, biblical studies, theology, church history, and preaching. To persuade listeners from other religions and faith traditions to believe in the gospel and in the exclusivity of Jesus Christ.

2 2 To deliver a short evangelistic message that will invite members of other religious backgrounds into a relationship with Jesus Christ. To prepare a full-length sermon manuscript with a particular religious context in view. IV. Course Textbooks Required Reading: Luke Cawley, The Myth of the Non-Christian: Engaging Atheists, Nominal Christians and the Spiritual But Not Religious (Downers Grove: IVP, 2016). ISBN: Derek Cooper, Christianity and World Religions: An Introduction to the World s Major Faiths (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2013). ISBN: Marion H. Larson and Sara L. H. Shady, eds., From Bubble to Bridge: Educating Christians for a Multifaith World (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2017). ISBN: A. Scott Moreau, Evvy Hay Campbell, Susan Greener, Effective Intercultural Communication: A Christian Perspective (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2014). ISBN: Recommended Reading: Jayson Georges and Mark D. Baker, Ministering in Honor-Shame Cultures: Biblical Foundations and Practical Essentials (Downers Grove: IVP, 2016). ISBN: Gerald R. McDermott, Can Evangelicals Learn from World Religions? Jesus, Revelation & Religious Traditions (Downers Grove: IVP, 2000). ISBN: Vinoth Ramachandra, Gods that Fail: Modern Idolatry and Christian Mission (Downers Grove: IVP, 1996). ISBN: Timothy C. Tennent, Christianity at the Religious Roundtable: Evangelicalism in Conversation with Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2002). ISBN: Steve Wilkens and Mark L. Sanford, Hidden Worldviews: Eight Cultural Stories that Shape Our Lives (Downers Grove: IVP, 2009). ISBN:

3 3 V. Course Requirements and Grading 1. Attendance. Attendance at all class sessions is required. Students are expected to be on time. If you cannot attend a session, or if you will miss one because of an emergency, please let me know. 2. Discussion. Students are expected to participate in class. Class participation will entail a significant portion of your final course grade. 3. Reading. Read the books and articles in advance of each class session. Students will read short selections from The Koran, Buddhist and Hindu Texts, The Book of Mormon, and The New World Scriptures of the Holy Bible (JW) in class. 4. Preach a 5-Minute Evangelistic Sermon. Students will preach a 5-minute sermon that will be evaluated by the instructor. Students will prepare and preach an evangelistic sermon for one specific religious context. The sermon will be preached without notes. 5. Sermon Manuscript. Students will also prepare a full length sermon manuscript for a 25-minute message to the same religious context as the 5-minute sermon exercise. The manuscript should be about 5-pages singled spaced. It will be graded on biblical and cultural exegesis, clarity, persuasion, religious sensitivity, and clear application. Due August 18 th at 4, paper copies under office door. 6. Th.M. Paper. Th.M. students will learn about another faith/religious community by writing a 2-3 page (single-spaced) cultural exegesis paper on one specific faith context that interests them. In this paper, please discuss the following: 1) Comment in detail about what/who is the idol. 2) What obstacles exist in their believing in Christianity? 3) How do they read and interpret the Bible? 4) What would be the most effective evangelistic approach for this context and why? Due August 18 th at 4, paper copies under office door. VI. Course Schedule (The schedule and topics may change depending on enrollment) Class Dates Topics Assignments Jul. 31 Introductions Worldviews Idolatry Read: Moreau, Cawley, 1-56 Cooper,

4 4 Jul. 31 The Spiritual But Not Religious Nominal Christians Atheists Agnostics The Nones Read: Cawley, Aug. 1 Interfaith Engagement Read: All of Larson and Shady Aug. 1 Inter-Cultural Communication Read: Moreau, 9-52; ; Aug. 2 Religion and Cultural/National Identity Introduction to World Religions Pluralism and Syncretism Read: Moreau, Aug. 2 Preaching and Monotheistic Religions (Jews and Muslims) Read: Cooper, Aug. 3 Preaching and Polytheistic Religions (Hindus and Buddhists) Read: Cooper, 3-50 Read: Portions of Hindu/Buddhist scriptures Aug. 3 Preaching and Cults (Mormons and Jehovah s Witnesses) Read: Excerpts from The Book of Mormon and JW Bible Aug. 4 5 Minute Evangelistic Sermons Aug. 4 (if necessary) 5 Minute Evangelistic Sermons Due August 18 th at 4pm: Final page of the syllabus 25-Minute Sermon Manuscript Th.M. Paper

5 5 PR741-HA Preaching Christ in a Multi-Faith World Summer III 2017 Kim Name Box (This sheet is due on Friday, August 18 th at 4pm under my office door.) Reading 10% (Give yourself a letter grade or quantity and quality of reading) Attendance and Class Participation 20% 5-Minute Evangelistic Sermon 20% 25-Minute Sermon Manuscript 25/50% Th.M. Cultural Exegesis Paper 25% Final Grade

PR942-HA Preaching on Controversial Topics Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Spring 2017 Friday 9:10am-12:10pm

1 PR942-HA Preaching on Controversial Topics Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Spring 2017 Friday 9:10am-12:10pm Matthew D. Kim Office: Library #124 Office Hours: Mon. 12:15-2:15pm; Tue. 9:00-11:00am;