Spring 2019/Houston

EV500

Huffman

EV500: THE ART OF EVANGELISM (4 Units: 160 hours). Kristin Huffman.

DESCRIPTION: The world today has changed dramatically and so must the Church’s mission in sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. In this course, we will research and reflect on new ideas, methods and attitudes about evangelism from a biblical and historical context as well as today’s world. Evangelism has become more than a program but more an art for all Christians. The students will engage in evangelistic experiences based on what they are learning and develop a plan for how the gospel can be successfully shared. This foundation will then provide the background for a discussion of how one goes about planning and executing both a personal plan as well as a viable, ongoing, church-based program of evangelism.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students taking this course will (1) create an evangelical framework from biblical, historical, and theological perspectives; (2) apply ministry of evangelism knowledge to local and global contexts; (3) engage in evangelism experiences personally; (4) research and critique outreach programs, organizations, and activities in terms of their faithfulness to theological traditions and effectiveness in reaching a particular audience; and (5) synthesize biblical and theological understanding by designing a plan for their church/ministry to engage in evangelism appropriate to their context.

COURSE FORMAT: This is a hybrid+ course, meaning that it is a ten-week course with nine weeks of online instruction and one week of classroom instruction during Week 6 of the quarter. The week of classroom instruction will include four hours daily of lecture and discussion (20 hours for the week). Classroom and online instruction will include lecture and discussion 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.

REQUIRED READING: 1200+ pages of required reading plus articles and videos assigned in Canvas.

Chan, Sam. Evangelism in a Skeptical World: How to Make the Unbelievable News about Jesus More Believable. Zondervan, 2018. ISBN: 978-0310534679, Pub price $24.99. (Available on Kindle). [280 pp.]

Hodge, Daniel White. The Soul of Hip Hop: Rims, Timbs and a Cultural Theology. IVP Books, 2010. ISBN: 978-0830837328, Pub. Price $22.00. (Available on Kindle). [250 pp.]

McKnight, Scott. The King Jesus Gospel: The Original Good News Revisited. Zondervan, 2011. ISBN: 978-0310531456, Pub. Price $16.99 (Available on Kindle), [200 pages assigned].

Peace, Richard. Holy Conversation. InterVarsity Press, 2006. ISBN: 978-0830811199, Pub. Price $16.00 (Available on Kindle and as E-Book through Fuller Library), [113 pp. assigned].

Salter McNeil, Brenda. A Credible Witness: Reflections on Power, Evangelism and Race. InterVarsity Press, 2009. ISBN: 978-0830834822, Pub. Price $17.00 (Available as a Kindle book and as an E-Book through Fuller Library), [158 pp. assigned].

CHOOSE ONE from this list to read specifically about evangelism in the global context:

Adeney, Miriam. Daughters of Islam: Building Bridges with Muslim Women. InterVarsity Press, 2002. ISBN: 978-0830823451, Pub. Price $15.00 (available on Kindle), [224 pp].

Dyrness, William. Insider Jesus: Theological Reflections on New Christian Movements. InterVarsity Press, 2016. ISBN: 978-0830851553, Pub. Price $20.00, (Available on Kindle and as an e-book in the Fuller Library), [165 pp. assigned].

Reisacher, Evelyne. Joyful Witness in the Muslim World (Mission in Global Community). Sharing the Gospel In Everyday Encounters. Baker Academic, 2016. ISBN: 978-0801030840, Pub. Price $23.00 (Available on Kindle and as E-Book through Fuller Library), [208 pp].

Further articles and videos reflecting diverse voices will be assigned through E-Reserves and Fuller Studio [100 pp.].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. This course will be conducted through both the Internet and Houston class meetings. Course content will be offered in online material and activities throughout the quarter in addition to face-to-face sessions. Participation in both online and face-to-face is required. (10%) [This assignment is related to all Learning Outcomes]. [30 hours].
  2. 1200+ pages of required reading plus articles and videos as assigned in Canvas. (5%) [This assignment is related to Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. [65 hours].
  3. Weekly posts (200-300 words) and responses to classmates’ posts (totaling 200-400 words) in weekly connecting discussions reflecting, critiquing, and applying reading and other course material (25% of final grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-5] [20 hours].
  4. Written reflection/critique and oral presentation (during our week together in Houston) on the history, practice and outcome of a particular example of evangelism/evangelist. Sign-ups for the topic will occur on Canvas in Week 1 (20% of grade). [This assignment is related to Learning Outcomes 1, 4, 5]. [15 hours].
  5. Fieldwork reflection on a personal experience of evangelism, to be written and also given orally in class or in a video. (10% of grade). [This assignment is related to Learning Outcomes 2, 3, 4, 5]. [10 hours].
  6. Write a 10-12 page paper reflecting on your understanding of the theology and practical application of evangelism in the world today, both locally and globally. You will also outline a plan to guide/teach others in a church or organization how to engage in evangelism individually and corporately. This paper will reflect all elements of the course and apply them to your ministry context. (30%) [This assignment is related to Learning Outcomes 1-5] [20 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet the EVG requirement in the MDiv (Fall 2018). Option to meet the C3 requirement in the 120 MDiv and 80 MATM Programs. Meets 144 MDiv core requirement in Evangelism (MIN1 and MIN3), or the requirement in Ministry Foundations (MIN F) for other master’s degrees.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.

NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. Textbook prices are set by publishers and are subject to change. Copyright 2019 Fuller Theological Seminary.