Content

This unit provides an overview of the biblical witness to the centrality of mission for Christian theology and discipleship. Moving beyond traditional appeals to texts which command missionary activity, the course will help the student to understand how the theological and hermeneutical issues related to mission are explored in the canonical texts. These include: God’s relationship to the world in creation and salvation; the vocation of God’s people in relation to the nations and creation; the complex relationship between biblical faith and culture. Throughout, the unit will explore the ways that a critical understanding of the biblical text shapes mission and Christian discipleship in a complex world.

Unit code: BS1039P

Unit status: Archived (New unit)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 1

Unit discipline: Biblical Studies

Delivery Mode: Online

Proposing College: Pilgrim Theological College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Compare and contrast the different depictions of mission across a range of biblical texts

2.

Outline recurring major biblical themes which inform a theology of mission

3.

Identify significant scholarly shifts in construing the biblical theology of mission

4.

Apply a missional hermeneutical for the reading of scripture

Pedagogy

Lectures, tutorials

Indicative Bibliography

  • Bauckham, Richard. Bible and Mission: Christian Witness in a Postmodern World. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2003.
  • Brownson, James V. Speaking the Truth in Love: Resources for a Missional Hermeneutic. Harrisburg, PA: Trinity Press International, 1998.
  • Gorman, Michael J. Becoming the Gospel: Paul, Participation, and Mission. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2015.
  • Legrand, Lucien. Unity and Plurality: Mission in the Bible. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1990.
  • Lopez, Davina C. Apostle to the Conquered: Reimagining Paul's Mission. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2008.
  • Okoye, James Chukwuma, Israel and the Nations: A Mission Theology of the Old Testament. Maryknoll NY: Orbis, 2006.
  • Okure, Teresa. The Johannine Approach to Mission: A Contextual Study of John 4:1-42. WUNT 2 / 31. Tübingen: J. C. B. Mohr (Paul Siebeck), 1988.
  • Sanneh, Lamin O. Translating the Message: The Missionary Impact on Culture. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1989.
  • Senior, Donald, and Carroll Stuhlmueller. The Biblical Foundations for Mission. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1983.
  • Wright, Christopher J. H. The Mission of God: Unlocking the Bible’s Grand Narrative. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2006.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Essay

Essay comparing the similarities and differences in understanding mission using two biblical texts (2000 words)

0 50.0
Learning Resource

Develop a learning resource (sermon or bible study materials) using a missional hermeneutic (2000 words)

0 50.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 1 Nov, 2017

Unit record last updated: 2022-10-04 09:50:42 +1100