DESCRIPTION:

The purpose of the course is to explore the ethical nature of Cross-Cultural Ministries. Its thesis is that all cross-cultural ministries have ethical implications; these ministries change, modify or shift the religious beliefs, worldview assumptions, myths and values of a culture. Christians who are engaging in cross cultural ministries, then, must define and implement an ethical framework for their work, empowering them to make ethical decisions as they influence cultural change. This course is relevant for anyone who engages in domestic or foreign cross-cultural ministries.

• Understand the difference between prepositional and narrative ethics

• Engage the positions and the tension between Christianity and culture.

• Apply ethical reasoning to case studies that emerged from the professor's field experiences.

• Know the theological implications of ethical ministries, including the role of the church, the tension between evangelistic and social action ministries, and the cultural influences on religious expressions.

The class will be conducted on the Internet using a 10-week lesson program aligned with Fuller's academic calendar. Each week, students and the instructor will interact with the material and each other through threaded discussions, live Internet "chats," and web-based research. The course will address a variety of case studies from development and evangelism ministries around the world.

Adeney, Bernard. Strange Virtues. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1995. ISBN-13: 978-0465031764. Retail Price: $24.00.

Bradshaw, Bruce. Change across Cultures: A Narrative Approach to Social Transformation. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2002. ISBN-13: 978-0801022890. Retail Price: $28.00.

Harrison, Lawrence E. and Samuel P. Huntington, eds. Culture Matters: How Values Shape Human Progress. Basic Books, 2001. ISBN-13: 978-0465031764. Retail Price: $24.00.

Hiebert, Paul G., Transforming Worldviews: An Anthropological Understanding of How People Change, Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2008. ISBN: ISBN-13: 978-0801027055. Retail Price: $19.00.

Hollinger, Dennis P. Choosing the Good: Christian Ethics in a Complex World. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2002.

Hiebert, Paul G., et al. Understanding Folk Religions: A Christian Response to Popular Beliefs and Practices. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1999

1. Weekly threaded discussions (20%)

2. Compile an annotated bibliography (10%)

3. Write one 3-4 page book report (1,000 words) (10%)

4. Write eight 4-page papers during the course (60%)