Fall 2007/Pasadena
CH504
Ahn
CH504: MODERN CHURCH HISTORY. Katherine H. Lee Ahn.
DESCRIPTION: This course surveys the history of Christianity around the world
from the seventeenth through the twentieth centuries. Additional attention will
be given to the transitional process of Christianity moving from a Western to a
world religion and major themes and events that dominated the process.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
- Students will be able to identify and explain many of the principal
theological developments and historical events and personalities that have
shaped the modern church since the Protestant and Catholic Reformations.
- Students will demonstrate through presentation and writing assignments the
ability to think critically about historical texts and arguments, placing them
in context.
- Students will demonstrate through presentation and writing assignments an
ability to interpret their own ecclesiastical tradition and other traditions
with critical awareness and reflection.
- Students will be challenged in some of their religious assumptions by the
complexity and diversity of Christian history and through this process will
develop a greater understanding of and sensitivity toward the beliefs and
practices of churches in different cultural and social contexts.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Christianity is no longer the possession of the
Western world, as the majority of Christians now live in the Southern
Hemisphere. Non-Western Christian churches are growing rapidly, bringing fresh
new energy, as well as new challenges, to the Christian church today. At the
same time world Christians are still largely influenced by historically Western
Christian tradition and theology. This course seeks to lead students to a
broader understanding of the historical development of both the Western and
non-Western churches and to find relevance of their ministry in this global
Christian time. In the course of the study we will seek to understand various
Christian traditions and theological and ecclesiastical developments and how
they interacted and resulted in today's Christian churches. In the process we
hope to gain new appreciation for the breath, unity, and diversity of the
worldwide Christian church.
COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet weekly for four-hour sessions in lecture,
presentation and discussion format.
REQUIRED READING:
- Bettenson, H. S., and C. Maunder, eds. Documents of the
Christian Church. Oxford Univ. Press, 1999.
- Hastings, Adrian, ed. A World History of Christianity. Eerdmans,
1999. (Chaps. 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 13.)
- Sanneh, Lamin. Whose Religion Is Christianity? The Gospel Beyond the
West. Eerdmans, 2003.
- Shelley, Bruce L. Church History in Plain Language. Thomas Nelson,
1995. (Starting from chapter 29.)
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Completion of all required readings.
- One mini-research paper and group presentation on a regional-specific
historical event, movement, or person. (7-8 pages; 25% of the final grade).
- A critical book review (5-6 pp.) on one text from a selected list of
recommended books (25%).
- One midterm exam, based on required readings and lectures (25%).
- Final exam, based on required readings and lectures (25%).
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Church History "C"
(CHC).
FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (8/07)