DESCRIPTION:

This Internet-based course in practical theology is an introduction to contemporary culture and the challenges and opportunities it presents in relation to effective Christian ministry and mission.

Christians need to know how to contextualize the Gospel in new circumstances while remaining faithful to the inherited tradition. This course offers theological reflection on that task, together with practical tools for doing it.

Students will (a) understand the nature of cultural change in Western societies; (b) reflect on methodological issues raised by various Christian attitudes to culture; (c) develop appropriate apologetic tools for contextualizing faith in postmodern culture, with particular reference to the rise of New Spirituality; (d) develop skills in practical theology method incorporating sociological analysis of the culture with biblical and theological resources to facilitate personal discernment in a way that will enhance discipleship and ministry skills.

Conducted via the Internet, the ten weekly lessons align with Fuller's academic calendar. Each week, students and the instructor will interact with the material and each other through journaling, threaded discussions, web-based research, and presentations.

Anderson, Ray S. An Emergent Theology of Emerging Churches. InterVarsity Press, 2006. 236 pp. ISBN 978-0830833917, $17.00.

Carter, Craig A. Rethinking Christ & Culture: A Post-Christendom Perspective. Brazos, 2006. 220 pp. ISBN 978-1587431593, $22.00.

Detweiler, Craig, and Barry Taylor. A Matrix of Meanings. Baker Academic, 2003. 351 pp. ISBN 978-0801024177, $28.00.

Drane, John. The McDonaldization of the Church. Smyth & Helwys, 2001. 203 pp. ISBN 978-1573123747, $22.00.

Lynch, Gordon. Understanding Theology and Popular Culture. Routledge, 2005. 236 pp. ISBN 978-1405117487, $36.95.

Murray, Stuart. Church after Christendom. Paternoster, 2005. 235 pp. ISBN 978-1842272923, $16.99.

Chidester, David. Authentic Fakes: Religion and American Popular Culture. University of California Press, 2005. 294 pp. ISBN 978-0520242807, $24.95.

Drane, John. Do Christians Know How to be Spiritual? The Rise of New Spirituality and the Mission of the Church. Darton, Longman & Todd, 2005. 186 pp. ISBN 978-0232526325, $20.95.

Drane, John. After McDonaldization: Mission, Ministry, and Christian Discipleship in an Age of Uncertainty. Baker Academic, 2008. 166 pp. ISBN 978-0801036118, $22.99.

Mazur, E., and K. McCarthy. God in the Details: American Religion in Popular Culture. 2nd ed. Routledge, 2010. 352 pp. ISBN 978-0415485371, $34.95.

1. Weekly threaded discussions (25%)

2. A personal course journal showing evidence of an ability to incorporate theological reflection with personal praxis (15%)

3. Two 2-page book reviews (20%)

4. A project on an aspect of contemporary culture to be chosen by the student and given advance approval in writing by the professor. This may be in any medium (written - 15 pages, visual, dramatic, digital, etc.) but must demonstrate understanding of and skills in a practical theology methodology (40%).