Themes and Trends in Global Theology and World Christianity (DM9709S)

Content

In this unit students will explore theological and practical themes and trends in global theology and World Christianity, at postgraduate level. The unit helps students examine theological, missiological, and ecclesiological themes developing among Majority World Christians (sometimes called the Third World or the Global South), Indigenous Christians (especially Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Native American and First Nations) and diaspora Christians. This unit studies the expansion of Christianity in the Majority World and the implications for contextual and global theology and for World Christianity. Students will explore the implications of themes and trends in World Christianity for their own theology, mission, church and context. Postgraduate students consider Indigenous People’s theology in more depth than at undergraduate level.

Learning outcomes

Unit sequence

48 points from postgraduate level 1 units

Pedagogy

Online. Six virtual classrooms over the semester.

DURING THE SEMESTER: A. Online Unit: This is a fully Online unit, in Semester (Weekly) Mode (i.e. 3 hours per week over 13 weeks = 36 engagement hours). B. Weekly Participation: Every week, online students will work through online lecture notes and readings and videos. Each of the 13 modules (completed over the 13 weeks of a semester) has its own on-line Guide that includes lecture material, readings, videos, other resources, reflection activities and an on-line forum activity that is completed by each student and then commented on by other students and the lecturer. C. Details on Virtual Classroom Sessions: The lecturer will hold six (6) 90-minute synchronous online virtual classroom sessions with the students (and recordings of these being available to students): (1) First 60 minutes will be undergrad and postgrad levels combined, and then (2) A further 30 minutes with postgrad students only.

Indicative Bibliography

• Bevans, S.B. An Introduction to Theology in Global Perspective. (Maryknoll NY: Orbis, 2009).
• Hill, G. GlobalChurch: Reshaping Our Conversations, Renewing Our Mission, Revitalizing Our Churches. (Downers Grove IL: IVP Academic, 2016).
• Hill, G. Salt, Light, and a City, Second Edition: Conformation – Ecclesiology for the Global Missional Community: Volume 2, Majority World Voices. (Eugene, OR: Cascade, 2019).
• Jenkins, P. The New Faces of Christianity: Believing the Bible in the Global South. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006).
• Jenkins, P. The New Next Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity. 3d expanded ed. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011).
• Johnstone, P. The Future of the Global Church: History, Trends and Possibilities. (Downers Grove IL: InterVarsity Press, 2011).
• Keener, C. and M.D. Carroll R., eds. Global Voices: Reading the Bible in the Majority World. (Peabody MA: Hendricksen, 2013).
• Noll, M.A. From Every Tribe and Nation: A Historian’s Discovery of the Global Christian Story. (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2014).
• Ott, C. and H.A. Netland, eds. Globalizing Theology: Belief and Practice in an Era of World Christianity. (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2006).
• Ramachandra, V. Subverting Global Myths: Theology and the Public Issues Shaping Our World. (Downers Grove IL: InterVarsity Press, 2008).
• Sanneh, L. Disciples of All Nations: Pillars of World Christianity. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008).
• Sanneh, L. Whose Religion Is Christianity? The Gospel Beyond the West. (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2003).
• Tennent, T.C. Theology in the Context of World Christianity: How the Global Church Is Influencing the Way We Think about and Discuss Theology. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2007).

Assessment