Winter 2013/Pasadena
CH504
Ahn
CH504: MODERN CHURCH HISTORY (Taught in Korean). Katherine H. Lee Ahn.
DESCRIPTION: This course surveys the history of Christianity around the world from the 17th through the 20th 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.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND 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.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will be able to (1) identify and explain principal theological developments and historical events and personalities that have shaped the modern church; (2) think critically about historical texts and arguments, placing them in context; (3) interpret a variety of ecclesial traditions and experiences, including their own, with critical awareness and reflection; (4) critically assess their religious and cultural assumptions by examining the complexity and diversity of modern Christian history; (5) gain an appreciation for the multiplicity of ways in which the Christian faith is experienced and expressed around the world.
COURSE FORMAT: Meeting weekly for three-and-half-hour sessions in lecture, presentation, and discussion format. The Korean language will be used for all lectures, discussions, and assignments.
REQUIRED READING:
Barth, Karl. Dogmatics in Outline. New York, NY: Harper & Row, 1959. (Korean Title. Translated by Shin, Kyung Soo; published by Christian Digest, 2001. ISBN-13: 9788944710506. ISBN-10: 8944710503. 6,000 Won. 214 pages.)
Gonzalez, Justo L., The Story of Christianity. Vol. 2. New York, New York: Harper Collins, 2010. (Translated into four separate volumes; the volume on Modern Church History only; published by Eun Sung, 2012. ISBN-13: 9788972364047. ISBN-10: 8972364045. 26,000 Won. 514 pages.)
Kim, Sang Kun. Korean Title [Church History Read through Historical Figures]. Seoul, Korea: Pyung Dan Mun Wha Sa, 2007. ISBN-13: 9788973432561. ISBN-10: 8973432567. 15,000 Won. 363 pages.)
Synan, Vinson. The Pentecostal-Holiness Tradition: Charismatic Movements in the Twentieth Century. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997. (Translated by Young Hun Lee and Myung Soo Park; published by Seoul Word Publisher, 2000. ISBN-13: 9788984340633. ISBN-10: 8984340634. 10,000 Won. 394 pages.)
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: (1) Completion of reading of required texts. (2) One quiz (10%) (3) Final examination based on required readings and lectures (30%) (4) A critical book review (4-5 pages; 20%) (5) One research paper on a regional-specific historical event, movement, or person and a class-presentation on the research topic (10-12 pages; 40%).
PREREQUISITES: Korean.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Church History “c” (CHC); meets Seminary Core Requirement (SCR) in all MA degrees or program requirement in MAT.
FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.