PH522: PERSPECTIVES ON CHRIST AND CULTURE. Matthew Kaemingk.

DESCRIPTION: The church has long debated how Christians ought to relate to their cultural surroundings. This course will introduce students to a range of philosophical perspectives on how Christians ought to read, critique, transform, enjoy, and create culture.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Christian leaders should be able to thoughtfully articulate their own philosophy of culture if they hope to faithfully guide the believing community in proper patterns of cultural discipleship in the world.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: At the end of this course students will be able to (1) think and write confidently and critically about the philosophical nature and value of culture and cultural artifacts; (2) analyze, appreciate, and critique a variety of differing Christian philosophies of culture; (3) articulate a Christian hermeneutic of culture and cultural texts; (4) understand and appreciate how prominent Western philosophical worldviews take material shape in particular cultural artifacts; (5) thoughtfully articulate a Christian approach to a specific sphere of culture (art, politics, economics, etc.) in the form of a final paper.

COURSE FORMAT: Class time will be devoted to lectures and classroom discussion. The class will meet twice weekly for two-hour sessions.

REQUIRED READING (120 pages per week average):

Garber, Steven. The Fabric of Faithfulness: Weaving Together Belief and Behavior. New expanded ed. InterVarsity Press, 2007. (200 pp.) ISBN: 0830833196. $10.88

Hunter, James Davison. To Change the World: The Irony, Tragedy, and Possibility of Christianity in the Late Modern World. Oxford University Press, 2010. (170 pp. selected) ISBN: 0199730806. $16.29.

Smith, James K. A. Desiring the Kingdom: Worship, Worldview, and Cultural Formation. Baker Books, 2009. (150 pp. selected) ISBN: 0801035775. $14.95.

Vanhoozer, Kevin, Charles Anderson, and Michael Sleasman. Everyday Theology: How to Read Cultural Texts and Interpret Trends. Baker Academic, 2007. (120 pp. selected) ISBN: 0801031672. $16.44

Yoder, John Howard. Body Politics. Herald Press, 2001. (88 pp.). ISBN: 0836191609. $10.19.

Online Course Reader of Selected Articles

Students will also choose ONE of the following parallel reading tracks (topics available include art, politics, economics, architecture and urban planning, work, and globalization):

1. Chaplin, Adrienne, and Hillary Brand. Art and Soul: Signposts for Christians in the Arts. InterVarsity Press, 2001. (200 pp.) ISBN: 0830826742. $19.80.

2. Koyzis, David. Political Visions and Illusions. InterVarsity Press, 2003. (220 pp.) ISBN: 0830827269. $16.50.

3. Goudzwaard, Bob. Capitalism and Progress: A Diagnosis of Western Society. Paternoster, 1997. (280 pp.) ISBN: 0853647704. (out of print/available used online).

4. Jacobsen, Erik. Sidewalks in the Kingdom: New Urbanism and the Christian Faith. Brazos Press, 2003. (190 pp.) ISBN: 1587430576. $18.81.

5. Hardy, Lee. The Fabric of this World: Inquiries into Calling, Career Choice, and the Design of Human Work. Eerdmans, 1990. (185 pp.) ISBN:0802802982. $12.60.

6. Goheen, Michael, and Erin Glanville, eds. The Gospel and Globalization. Regent College Publishing, 2009. (selected 220 pp.) ISBN: 1573834408. $22.76.