DESCRIPTION:

This course is an overview of the history of Christianity from the mid-seventeenth century to the present, with a global perspective. It will focus not only on the development of Christianity in Europe and North America, but also on the Christian testimony in the Majority World. Emphasis will be placed on the emergence and development of denominationalism, and more recent post-denominational expressions of the Christian faith. Major events, movements, outstanding characters, and theological trends will be dealt with. Particular attention will be given to such topics as Pietism, Puritanism, evangelical revivals, the modern missionary movement, Social Gospel, Pentecostalism and the dynamics of the Christian testimony in the Majority World.

Knowing the modern history of Christianity is basic to an understanding of contemporary Christian testimony and church life. Many of our present-day beliefs and practices are products of post-Reformation Christianity, particularly denominationalism. Current debates over such issues as post-denominationalism, church growth in the Majority World, shift in world-Christianity center, Christian social and political involvement, women in ministry, pentecostalization of Christianity, and family concerns will be more easily comprehended as they are seen in historical perspective.

Class time will consist of lectures on major themes of modern history of Christianity and discussion based on daily reading assignments.

Deiros, Pablo A. Historia del cristianismo. Casa Bautista, 1986.

Gonzaléz, Justo L. Historia ilustrada del cristianismo, vols. 8-10. Caribe, 1982-1985.

Latourette, Kenneth S. Historia del cristianismo, vol. 2. Casa Bautista, 1967.

Walker, Williston. Historia de la iglesia cristiana. Casa Nazarena, 1957.

Deiros, Pablo A. Historia del cristianismo en América Latina. Buenos Aires, 1992.

Deiros, Pablo A. and Carlos Mraida. Latinoamérica en llamas. Caribe, 1994.

Dillenwerger, John and Claude Welsch. El cristianismo protestante. La Aurora, 1958.

Gonzaléz, Justo L. Historia de las misiones. La Aurora, 1970.

Neill, Stephen. A History of Christian Missions. Penguin, 1975.

Pirouet, Louise. Christianity Worldwide: Church History 4: AD 1800 Onwards. SPCK, 1989.

Course requirements include 1500 pages of reading from the required and secondary texts;
a mid-term exam; and a 10-12 page typewritten paper.

Spanish.

Meets M. Div. core requirement in Church History "C" (CHC).

No.