Spring 2006/Pasadena
PH522
Mouw

PH522: PERSPECTIVES ON CHRIST AND CULTURE. Richard Mouw.


DESCRIPTION: The Christian community has long debated the appropriate ways for Christians to relate to their cultural surroundings. This course will focus on some key perspectives, beginning with a critical examination of the motif made popular by H. Richard Niebuhr in his classic study, Christ and Culture. Special attention will be given to "cultural mandate" theories, as well as to the contemporary relevance of traditional notions of common grace, natural law, and general revelation as they have been used to discern created commonalities that undergird a plurality of cultures. The present-day interest in multiculturalism will also be explored.

COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: At the end of this course students will be able to

  1. demonstrate a deeper understanding of the nature of "culture";

  2. analyze and critique contemporary Christian culture from a theological and philosophical perspective;

  3. demonstrate a deeper understanding of the relationship between a biblical worldview and interaction with the wider culture;

  4. demonstrate a deeper understanding of the complexities and tensions facing the Christian church in diverse and rapidly changing cultures and subcultures;

  5. engage in theological reflection regarding possible theological responses to the wider culture;

  6. graciously articulate the good news of the gospel of Christ in a multicultural, pluralistic society.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Evangelical Christianity has often emphasized the need to oppose "worldliness," and the warnings have typically been based on an implicit philosophy and theology of culture. It is important for Christian leaders to clarify their understanding of these issues in order to guide the believing community in proper patterns of cultural discipleship.

COURSE FORMAT: Class time will be devoted to both lectures and discussion. There will be weekly reading assignments. The class will meet weekly for a three-hour session.

REQUIRED READING:
Kuyper, Abraham. Lectures on Calvinism. Eerdmans, 1943.

Mouw, Richard. He Shines in All That's Fair: Culture and Common Grace. Eerdmans, 2001.

Niebuhr, H. Richard. Christ and Culture. HarperSanFrancisco, 2001.

Taylor, Charles, and Amy Gutman. Multiculturalism: Examining the Politics of Recognition. Princeton University Press, 1994.

Course Reader.

RECOMMENDED READING:
Kraft, Charles. Christianity in Culture: A Study in Dynamic Biblical Theologizing in Cross-Cultural Perspective. Orbis, 1979.

Stassen, Glen, D. M. Yeager, and John Howard Yoder. Authentic Transformation: A New Vision of Christ and Culture. Abingdon, 1996.

Van Til, Henry. The Calvinistic Concept of Culture. Baker Academic, 2001.

ASSIGNMENTS: Regular assigned readings. Five research/reflection papers and a midterm test will be required. No final exam.

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Philosophical Theology (PHIL).

FINAL EXAMINATION: No.