Winter 2009/Pasadena
CH547
Robeck

CH547: HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE PENTECOSTAL & CHARISMATIC MOVEMENTS.
Cecil M. Robeck Jr.


DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to introduce students to the history of the various Pentecostal, Charismatic, and related global "Movements of the Spirit." Students will be guided in discussions related to a number of historiographical, theological, sociological, anthropological, and psychological concerns. The establishment of sources for the study of these movements, as well as issues that range from primitivism, restorationism, and independence to institutionalization and ecumenism will be covered.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: This course should enable students (1) to define the nature of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements, (2) to explain the differences between the larger families of churches that are represented in these movement, (3) to identify some of the more important actors and themes of these movements, (4) to understand many of the complexities that are found within these movements that stem from regional developments, (5) to think of ways that the message of Pentecostal and Charismatics may be owned by the larger Church, and (6) to think of ways in which the concerns of the larger Church may be addressed within these movements.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Satisfactory completion of this course should enable students to

  1. appreciate the historical contexts out of which these movements have arisen;

  2. identify and assess the critical strengths and weaknesses of these movements;

  3. demonstrate the contributions available to the whole Church through recognition of the areas in which these movements stand in continuity and discontinuity with the Church.

COURSE FORMAT: The course will meet Mondays and some Wednesdays (a total of 30 hours) for lecture, discussion, and presentations. Students will be expected to participate in a day-long tour of early Pentecostal sites in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 24.

REQUIRED READING:
Anderson, Allan. An Introduction to Pentecostalism. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004.

Bartleman, Frank. Azusa Street. Plainfield, NJ: Logos International, 1980.

Beverley, James A. Holy Laughter and the Toronto Blessing: An Investigative Report. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1995.

Hollenweger, Walter J. Pentecostalism: Origins and Developments Worldwide. Peabody: Hendrickson, 1997.

Robeck, Cecil M., Jr. Unpublished Syllabus with "Readings in Pentecostal History."

Robeck, Cecil M., Jr. The Azusa Street Mission and Revival: The Birth of the Global Pentecostal Movement. Nashville: Nelson, 2006.

Wacker, Grant. Heaven Below: Early Pentecostals and American Culture. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2001.

RECOMMENDED READING:
Burgess, Stanley M., ed. The New International Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002.

Dayton, Donald W. Theological Roots of Pentecostalism. Grand Rapids: Frances Asbury/Zondervan, 1987, or Metuchen: Scarecrow Press, 1987.

Quebedeaux, Richard. The New Charismatics II. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1983.

ASSIGNMENTS: Regular assigned readings from the texts and the syllabus must be completed prior to class meetings. Students will be expected to engage in a research paper or project approved by the professor. It should incorporate both primary and secondary sources.

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (10/08)