DESCRIPTION:

Explores the contribution of several twentieth century lay Protestant thinkers who grappled creatively with the challenges posed to Christianity by modern life in the West. Figures studied include the apologist C. S. Lewis, the essayist and popular writer Dorothy Sayers, the philosopher Elton Trueblood, the psychiatrist Paul Tournier, and the social critic Jacques Ellul. In reading their works we will analyze how these people understood their vocation, what concerns surface most frequently in their writings, and why they were such effective communicators with people outside as well as inside the church.

1. Evaluating the contribution of some of the most widely read modern Christian writers.

2. Reflecting on the interplay between the life and work of these thinkers and its implications for our own ministry.

3. Identifying ways in which we can learn to analyze modern life more perceptively and speak to it more penetratingly.

The course will include presentations on each thinker, audio and video presentations, student working groups and panel sessions, as well as general discussion. Guests who are specialists on these thinkers will participate in the presentations.

Ellul, J. The Presence of the Kingdom. Helmers and Howard, 1989.

________. Anarchy and Christianity. Eerdmans, 1991.

Lewis, C. S. Of Other Worlds: Essays and Stories. Harvest (HJB), 1975.

________. The Grand Miracle. Epiphany Press, 1970.

Sayers, D. The Whimsical Christian: Eighteen Essays. Macmillan, 1978.

________. Are Women Human? Eerdmans, 1971.

Tournier, P. A Listening Ear. Augsburg, 1984.

________. The Meaning of Persons. Bucaneer, 1993.

Trueblood, E. The Company of the Committed. Harper & Row, 1980.

________. The Common Ventures of Life. Word, 1975.

Total reading amounts to just over 1000 pages and should be begun before the class commences. Students should come having read at least 3 of the books listed.

1. Three 3-page reports on works by different authors listed in the required reading. These reports should focus on the intellectual cogency and personal impact of the writings discussed. One of these reports will be presented to the whole class and one to a small group within it.

2. A twelve-page paper examining one of the leading themes and methods of communication of a thinker studied in the course. This should include a discussion of the implications of their work for your own ministry.

None.

Meets Integration requirement for the M.A.C.L. (Integrative Studies) for SOP students.

A final quiz.