Spring 2003/Pasadena
CH504
Robeck
CH504: MODERN CHURCH HISTORY. Cecil M. Robeck Jr.
DESCRIPTION:
- This course will provide an introduction to the more important
themes, and an overview of the more significant events in the life of the
Church around the world from the 17th through the 20th centuries. Beginning
with the years following the Reformation, students will survey the growth and
contributions of the Church in Europe, North and South America, Africa, Asia,
Australia and Oceana. Attention will be given to some of the more important
theological themes, as well as sociological and cultural developments that have
shaped or been shaped by specific regional and global historical
contexts.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- This course should enable students better to understand and
interpret contemporary events and discussions in light of their historical and
social contexts. Students should expect to be both culturally and ecumenically
sensitized.
COURSE FORMAT:
- This class will meet twice weekly for two-hour sessions, in a
lecture-discussion format.
REQUIRED READING:
- Jenkins, Philip. The Next Christendom: The Coming of Global
Christianity. Oxford, 2002.
- Johnstone, Patrick and Jason Mandryk. Operation World: The 21st
Century. Paternoster, 2001.
- Miller, Glenn T. The Modern Church. Abingdon, 1997.
- Syllabus (available in the bookstore).
- Students must also choose all other texts from one of the
following regional categories:
- Latin America:
- Cook, Guillermo, ed. New Face of the Church in Latin America.
Orbis Books 1994. And
- Gutierrez, Benjamin F. and Dennis A. Smith, eds. In the Power of the
Spirit. Presbyterian Church USA, 1996. And
- Williamson, Edwin. The Penguin History of Latin America. London:
Penguin, 1992.
- OR Africa:
- Hastings, Adrian. The Church in Africa, 1450-1950. Oxford
University Press, 1995. And
- Pobee, John and Gabriel Ositelu II. African Initiatives in
Christianity. Risk/WCC Publications, 1998. Or
- Sanneh, Lamin. West African Christianity: The Religious Impact.
Orbis, 1983.
- OR Asia:
- Bays, Daniel H., ed. Christianity in China. Stanford, 1996.
483 pp. And
- Clark, Donald N. Christianity in Modern Korea. Asian Agenda Report
5. University Press of America/The Asia Society, 1986. 55 pp. Or
- Covell, Ralph R. The Liberating Gospel in China. Baker, 1995. 318
pp. And
- Hunter, Alan and Kim-Kwong Chan. Protestantism in Contemporary
China. Cambridge University Press, 1993. 291 pp.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- A complete booklist is available in the Bookstore.
ASSIGNMENTS:
Students will be asked to read one general work and several regional specific
works. Students will be expected to write a four-page response to one
contemporary document to be assigned. It will count for 20% of the grade. There
will one midterm and a final examination covering the texts and lectures. These
will count for 80% of the final grade.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets M. Div. core requirement in Church History
"C" (CHC).
FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.