Fall 2020/Fuller Online

MC540

McNichols

MC540: EVANGELISM AND THE WITNESS OF THE KINGDOM (4 Units: 160 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.

RELATIONSHIP TO PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES: This course will provide students with further opportunity to develop and/or master skills in integrating theological and missiological content with life experience and context through engaging in academic study and practical fieldwork related to the practice of evangelism, which is consistent with the SIS PLO “Graduates will participate in the mission of God and the ministries of the global Church from an evangelical missiological perspective,” and “Graduates will demonstrate sensitivity to cultural and ethnic diversity for building relationships and for communicating the Gospel in context” (MAIS). This course will also provide opportunities that are consistent with the SOT PLO “Graduates are able to engage culture constructively and critically so as to challenge both church and society,” and “Graduates, whether laypeople or clergy, will be able to engage in ministry at a beginning level of competence in various contexts” (MDiv, MATM).

COURSE FORMAT: This course will be conducted online on a ten-week schedule aligned with Fuller’s academic calendar for a total of 40 instructional hours. Students are required to interact with the material, with each other, and with the instructor regularly through online discussions, reading, and other assignments that promote active learning. This course modality provisions a fully asynchronous structure enhanced with optional synchronous meeting times. Although it does not require synchronous meeting times, faculty may provide one or more opportunities for live interaction scheduled to support represented time zones.

REQUIRED READING (approximately 1,285 pages):

Bacote, Vincent E. The Political Disciple: A Theology of Public Life. Zondervan, 2015. ISBN: 978-0310516071, Pub. Price $11.99 [76 pp]. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library.

Donovan, Vincent J. Christianity Rediscovered. Orbis Books, 1978. ISBN: 978-1570754623, Pub. Price $25.00 [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]. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library.

Heath, Elaine A. The Mystic Way of Evangelism: A Contemplative Vision for Christian Outreach. Baker Academic (2^nd ed.), 2017. ISBN: 978-0801098598, Pub. Price $21.99 [186 pp.]. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library.

Stone, Bryan. Evangelism after Pluralism: The Ethics of Christian Witness. Baker Academic, 2018. ISBN: 978-0801099793, Pub. Price $22.00 [160pp]. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library.

Sunquist, Scott W. The Unexpected Christian Century: The Reversal and Transformation of Global Christianity. Baker Academic, 2015. ISBN: 978-0801097461. Pub. Price $26.00 [187 pp]. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library.

Articles and selected chapters will be available on e-reserves, and will include such authors as Orlando Costas, J.M.K. Mugambi, Mercy Oduyoye, Osias Segura-Guzman, John Perkins, Hwa Yung, and others. [358 pp.]

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

Three hours per week of instruction through online class activities such as video lectures, PowerPoint presentations, videos, etc. [30 hours].
1,285 pages of assigned reading [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, and 4] [64 hours]
Students will respond to instructional prompts and post weekly on Canvas (approximately 250 words) or on group Google Docs (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, and 3] [10 hours].
Three 750-word papers related to course readings (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, and 4] [17 hours].
Fieldwork assignment: Students will conduct three interviews related to evangelism and write a 500 word summary of each interview. In at least two of the interviews, students will share their faith with the interviewee (15%). [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.