Fall 2018/Pasadena

MC540

McNichols

MC540: Evangelism and the witness of the kingdom (4 Units: 161 hours). Michael McNichols.

DESCRIPTION: Evangelism is the proclamation and demonstration of the Kingdom of God, a kingdom that is “at hand” (Mark 1:15). In this course students will investigate how the gospel is expressed and received in various cultural contexts and how those contexts respond to the good news of Jesus Christ. Students will explore a biblical and theological framework for evangelism; ways that different contexts respond to various theories of the atonement; and how cultural expectations about spiritual dynamics (e.g., power encounters, signs and wonders) impact receptivity toward the message of God’s kingdom.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will demonstrate (1) the ability to articulate a biblical understanding of the nature, message, and demonstration of evangelism; (2) an understanding of the theology and practice of spiritual dynamics as they relate to evangelism; (3) the ability to describe approaches for Gospel demonstration, articulation, and invitation of faith in Jesus Christ in various cultural contexts; (4) the ability to articulate an understanding of the role of the Holy Spirit in the work of evangelism; (5) the capacity to engage people outside of the Christian community in conversations about faith.

COURSE FORMAT: This class meets for four Saturdays for 7.5 hour sessions for a total of 30 hours of classroom instruction for lecture, discussion, and small group interaction, plus 10 hours of directed learning activities online for a total of 40 instructional hours.

REQUIRED READING: Approximately 1,254 pages required.

Donovan, Vincent J. Christianity Rediscovered. Orbis Books, 1978. ISBN: 978-1570754623, Pub. Price $22.00 [169 pp].

Dyrness, William A. Insider Jesus: Theological Reflections on New Christian Movements. Intervarsity Press, 2016. ISBN: 978-0830851553, Pub. Price $20.00 [149 pp.].

Heath, Elaine A. The Mystic Way of Evangelism: A Contemplative Vision for Christian Outreach. Baker Academic (2nd ed.), 2017. ISBN: 978-0801098598, Pub. Price $21.99 [186 pp.]

Stone, Bryan. Evangelism after Pluralism: The Ethics of Christian Witness. Baker Academic, 2018. ISBN: 978-0801099793, Pub. Price $21.99 [160 pp.].

Sunquist, Scott W. The Unexpected Christian Century: The Reversal and Transformation of Global Christianity. Baker Academic, 2015. ISBN: 978-0801097461. Pub. Price $22.99 [187 pp.].

Articles and selected chapters will be available on e-reserves, and will include such authors as Orlando Costas, J.M.K. Mugambi, Mercy Oduyoye, Evelyne Reisacher, Osias Segura-Guzman, Hwa Yung, and others. [403 pp.]

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1,254 pages of assigned reading [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, and 4] [63 hours].
Three 750-word papers related to course readings (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, and 4] [18 hours].
Directed Learning Activities (DLAs): Students will participate in regular Canvas forum discussions (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, and 3] [10 hours].
Fieldwork assignment: Students will conduct three interviews related to evangelism and write a 250-500 page summary of each interview. In at least two of the interviews, students will share their faith with the interviewee (25%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 3, 4 and 5] [9 hours].
Signature Assignment: A final 8-10 page (2,000-2,500 words) paper that utilizes the course readings (and other resources of the student’s choosing) to deal critically with an issue raised during the course. (35%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, and 4] [30 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet the EVG requirement in the 120 MDiv (Fall 2018). Option to meet C3 requirement in the 120 MDiv and 80 MATM and MAICS Programs (Fall 2015).

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.