COURSE DESCRIPTION: 04MS518 - MISSIONS Reformed Theological Seminary Spring Term, 2013 Professor: Samuel H. Larsen, D.Min., Ph.D. (rev. 10/17/12) 2 hours. An introductory course in missions history and anthropology for cross-cultural workers that surveys theological foundations, historical events, personalities, and trends, theories, and anthropological tools in order to develop an appreciation and understanding of the task of bringing the Gospel across cultural and ethnic boundaries. The course includes introductory units on the Christian encounters with both Buddhism and Islam, together with a biblical and anthropological approach for engaging cultural values and worldviews with the Gospel. COURSE OBJECTIVES: Students will demonstrate the following understandings, motivations, and skills: 1. Students will be able to trace biblical and theological foundations for missions. 2. Students will be able to identify key historical events, personalities, and trajectories of the missionary enterprise. 3. Students will demonstrate an understanding of important missiological theories and strategies as they have historically influenced and currently influence missions. 4. Students will show a grasp of basic tools for intercultural communication and cross-cultural ministry. 5. Students will demonstrate an introductory awareness of issues and worldviews that have arisen in the course of Christianity s encounter with the major world religions of Buddhism and Islam. REQUIRED TEXTS: (1455 pp) Alexander, T. Desmond. 2009. From Eden to the New Jerusalem. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel. (208 pp) Durie, Mark. 2010. The third choice: Islam, dhimmitude and freedom. N.P.: Deror Books. (270 pp.) 1
Hiebert, Paul G. 1985. Anthropological Insights for Missionaries. Grand Rapids: Baker. (315 pp) Larsen, Samuel H. 2008. Global kingdom vision and the Westminster Confession of Faith. In The Hope Fulfilled: Essays in Honor of O. Palmer Robertson, ed. Robert Penny (317-324). Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed. (12 pp) (download chapter from RTS course home page) ------------. 2005. A Christocentric understanding of linguistic diversity: Implications for missions in a pluralistic era. In The centrality of Christ in contemporary missions, ed. Mike Barnett and Michael Pocock, 233-245. Pasadena, Calif.: William Carey Library. (13 pp) (download chapter from RTS course home page) Lewis, Bernard. 2002. What went wrong? The clash between Islam and modernity in the Middle East. New York: Oxford University Press. (186 pp) Sills, M. David. 2010. Reaching and teaching: A call to great commission obedience. Chicago: Moody. (243 pp.) RECOMMENDED READING: Anderson, Gerald H., et al., eds. 1998. Mission legacies: Biographical studies of leaders of the modern missionary movement. Maryknoll, N.Y.: Orbis. (654 pp) Bavinck, J. H. 1960. An introduction to the science of missions. Transl. David H. Freeman. Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed. (323 pp.) Bosch, David J. 1991. Transforming mision: Paradigm shifts in theology of mission. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis. (587 pp) Clowney, Edmund P. 1988. Discovering Christ in the Old Testament. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R. (202 pp) Dodd, Carley H. 1998. Dynamics of Intercultural Communication (fifth edition). Boston: McGraw-Hill. (289 pp) Geisler, Norman, and Saleeb, Abdul. 2002. Answering Islam: The crescent in the light of the cross. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker. (366 pp) Green, Michael. 2004. Evangelism and the early church. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans. (474 pp) 2
Glasser, Arthur F. 2003. Announcing the kingdom: The story of God s mission in the Bible. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker. (400 pp) Grunlan, Stephen A., and Marvin K. Mayers, eds. 1988. Cultural Anthropology: A Christian Perspective. Grand Rapids: Zondervan. (303 pp) Hall, E.T. 1981. Beyond culture. New York: doubleday. (281 pp.) Harley, David. 1995. Preparing to Serve: Training for Cross-Cultural Mission. Pasadena, Calif.: William Carey Library. (156 pp) Hastings, Adrian, ed. 1999. A world history of Christianity. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans. (594 pp) Hiebert, Paul G. 1983. Cultural Anthropology. Grand Rapids: Baker. (476 pp) Irvin, Dale T., and Sunquist, Scott W. 2001. Earliest Christianity to 1453. Vol. 1 of History of the world Christian movement. Maryknoll, N.Y.: Orbis. (519 pp) Kaiser, Walter C., Jr. 2000. Mission in the Old Testament: Israel as a light to the nations. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker. (101 pp) Kane, J. Herbert. 1982. A concise history of the Christian world mission: A panoramic view of missions from Pentecost to the present. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker. (216 pp) Kirk, J. Andrew. 2000. What is mission: Theological explorations. Minneapolis, Minn.: Fortress. (302 pp) Kohls, L. Robert. 1996. Survival Kit for Overseas Living: For Americans Planning to Live and Work Abroad. Yarmouth, Maine: Intercultural Press. 165 pp) Kostenberger, Andreas, and O Brien, Peter T. 2001. Salvation to the ends of the earth: A biblical theology of mission. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press. (351 pp) Larkin, William J., Jr., and Williams, Joel F., eds. 1999. Mission in the New Testament: An evangelical approach. Maryknoll, N.Y.: Orbis. (265 pp) Latourette, Kenneth Scott. 1965. Christianity through the ages. New York: Harper. (321 pp) Lewis, Bernard. 2003. The crisis of Islam: Holy war and unholy terror. New York: The Modern Library. 3
Luzbetak, Louis J. 1989. The Church and Cultures: An Applied Anthropology for the Religious Worker. Pasadena: William Carey. (429 pp) Moreau, A. Scott, et al., eds. Introducing world missions: A biblical, historical, and practical survey. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker. (349 pp) Neill, Stephen. 1986. A history of Christian missions, 2 nd ed. New York: Penguin. (528 pp) O Brien, P. T. 1995. Gospel and mission in the writings of Paul: An exegetical and theological analysis. Grand Rapids: Baker. (161 pp) Peskett, Howard, and Ramachandra, Vinoth. 2003. The message of mission. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press. (304 pp) Peters, George W. 1972. A biblical theology of missions. Chicago: Moody Press. (368 pp) Piper, John. 1993. Let the nations be glad: The supremacy of God in missions. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker. (240 pp) Sookhdeo, Patrick. 2007. Islam: The challenge to the church. Wiltshire, UK: Isaac Publishing. (125 pp) Tucker, Ruth A. 2004. From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya: A biographical history of Christian missions. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan. (526 pp) Walls, Andrew F. 1996. The missionary movement in Christian history: Studies in the transmission of faith. Maryknoll, N.Y.: Orbis. (266 pp) ------------. 2002. The cross-cultural process in Christian history. Maryknoll, N.Y.: Orbis. (284 pp) Winter, Ralph D., and Hawthorne, Steven C., eds. 1999. Perspectives on the world Christian movement: A reader. Pasadena, Calif.: William Carey Library. (782 pp) Woodberry, J. Dudley, ed. 1998. Reaching the resistant: Barriers and bridges for mission. Pasadena, Calif.: William Carey Library. (252 pp) Wright, Christopher J. H. 2006. The mission of God: Unlocking the Bibles grand narrative. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press. (581 pp) Young, John M. L. 2007. Missions: The biblical motive and aim. Pittsburgh, PA: Crown and Covenant. (156 pp.) (the book is in stock at Crown and Covenant Publishers for $10.00) 4
COURSE ASSESSMENT: 1. Class participation (includes attendance and contribution to class discussions): 20% 2. Research paper (12-15 pages) on a topic previously approved by the professor: 40% (due Friday, May 3, 2013) 3. Take-home final examination (open book essays - no collaboration permitted): 40% (due Friday, May 3, 2013) NOTE: Spelling and grammar of written submissions (other than the take-home final examination, which cannot be checked by another person to edit it) must be accurate and will be taken into account in course assessment. Format must comply with the standards of Reformed Theological Seminary. Submissions which are submitted late will be reduced one letter grade for each week or partial week beyond the date due. Course work turned in after May 3, 2013, will not be accepted without an extension granted by the Academic Dean in accordance with RTS/Atlanta s academic policy. OFFICE HOURS: Dr. Larsen is available before or after class by appointment and may also be contacted by e-mail (slarsen@rts.edu). COURSE SCHEDULE: Classes meet for eight three-hour sessions (Thursday evenings as scheduled) during the Spring semester, 2013, at the RTS/Atlanta campus. (Students are encouraged to interact with one another and with the professor during class breaks.) (Note: This course is taught on a graduate level. Readings are supplemental to the Lectures and provide either background or amplifying viewpoints or information. Lectures do not necessarily reprise all the readings, nor are they scheduled with a corresponding list of particular pages in assigned texts. Required Reading must be completed by the end of the course.) Intended Class Lecture Schedule (may be adjusted): Feb. 14: Session I: Toward a Biblical Theology of Missions: Seeing the Big Picture Feb. 21: Session II: Missions on the March: Pentecost to Charlemagne. 5
Feb. 28: Session III: Special Lectures. Echoes of the Gospel in First Century Christianity s Encounter with Buddhism. Conversion of the Vikings. Mar. 7: Session IV: Missions on the March: Crusades to Reformation and Counter-Reformation Mar. 14: Session V: Missions on the March: Moravians, Missionary Societies, and the Old Age of the Modern Missionary Movement Mar. 21: Session VI: Mission Strategies and Critiques: Venn/Anderson/Nevius Method. Homogeneous Unit Method. Unreached Peoples Strategies. International Partnerships/Teams. Apr. 4: Session VII: Special Lectures. Christianity s Encounter with Islam Apr. 18: Session VIII: Globalization and Contextualization in Missions: Dynamics, Trends, and Issues; Exegeting Culture and Worldview: Bringing the Gospel to Bear 6
Extension Policy All assignments and exams are to be completed by the deadlines announced in this syllabus or in class. Extensions for assignments and exams due within the normal duration of the course must be approved beforehand by the Professor. Extensions of two weeks or less beyond the date of the last deadline for the course must be approved beforehand by the Professor. A grade penalty may be assessed. Extensions of greater than two weeks but not more than six weeks beyond the last deadline for the course may be granted in extenuating circumstances (i.e. illness, family emergency). For an extension of more than two weeks the student must request an Extension Request Form from the Student Services Office. The request must be approved by the Professor and the Academic Dean. A grade penalty may be assessed. (RTS Catalog p. 42 and RTS Atlanta Student Handbook p. 14) Any incompletes not cleared six weeks after the last published due date for course work will be converted to a failing grade. Professors may have the failing grade changed to a passing grade by request. (RTS Catalog p. 42) 7
Course Objectives Related to MDiv* Student Learning Outcomes Course: 4MS518 Missions Professor: Dr. Samuel H. Larsen Campus: Atlanta Date: Spring 2013 MDiv* Student Learning Outcomes In order to measure the success of the MDiv curriculum, RTS has defined the following as the intended outcomes of the student learning process. Each course contributes to these overall outcomes. This rubric shows the contribution of this course to the MDiv outcomes. *As the MDiv is the core degree at RTS, the MDiv rubric will be used in this syllabus. Broadly understands and articulates knowledge, both oral and written, of essential biblical, theological, historical, and cultural/global information, including details, concepts, and frameworks. Articulation (oral & written) Scripture Reformed Theology Significant knowledge of the original meaning of Scripture. Also, the concepts for and skill to research further into the original meaning of Scripture and to apply Scripture to a variety of modern circumstances. (Includes appropriate use of original languages and hermeneutics; and integrates theological, historical, and cultural/global perspectives.) Significant knowledge of Reformed theology and practice, with emphasis on the Westminster Standards. Sanctification Demonstrates a love for the Triune God that aids the student s sanctification. Desire for Worldview Winsomely Reformed Preach Burning desire to conform all of life to the Word of God. Embraces a winsomely Reformed ethos. (Includes an appropriate ecumenical spirit with other Christians, especially Evangelicals; a concern to present the Gospel in a God-honoring manner to non-christians; and a truth-in-love attitude in disagreements.) Ability to preach and teach the meaning of Scripture to both heart and mind with clarity and enthusiasm. Rubric Strong Moderate Minimal None Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Strong Strong Minimal Mini-Justification Requires class interaction and a major course paper that demonstrate the student s mastery of biblical, historical, theological, and global information Some key passages and terms in the original languages are dealt with to provide a biblical ontology for a theology of missions and redemptive history Includes units on the Reformation and Missions, including the WCF and global missions perspective Each class begins with an extended devotional bridging a biblical theology of missions and life The course focuses upon a biblical and missiological worldview and motivation for life The course seeks to instill a readiness and desire to bring the Gospel winsomely to non-christians and to provide biblical and historical perspective on controversies among Christians Content and enthusiasm will spill over into the student s own 8
Worship Shepherd Knowledgeable of historic and modern Christianworship forms; and ability to construct and skill to lead a worship service. Ability to shepherd the local congregation: aiding in spiritual maturity; promoting use of gifts and callings; and encouraging a concern for non-christians, both in America and worldwide. Church/World Ability to interact within a denominational context, within the broader worldwide church, and with significant public issues. Minimal Minimal Strong preaching and/or teaching, although the course will not assess it directly (not a preaching course) Content and enthusiasm will spill over into the student s own leading in worship, although the course will not assess it directly (not a worship course) Content and enthusiasm will spill over into the student s own pastoral practice, although the course will not assess it directly (not a specifically pastoral development course) Course strongly engages the student with the global church in both historical and contemporary context 9