LEE UNIVERSITY
THEOLOGY OF MISSIONS
ISP 354 A

 Edley J. Moodley, Ph. D

Fall 2005

T/TH:  9:10-10:25 AM

Room:  WM309, Office:  WM305

Office Hours:  Wednesday 8-12, 1-3

Office Phone:  614-8156, Home Phone:  559-9872

Email:  emoodley@leeuniversity.edu

Prescribed Text:

Badcock, Gary D.  The Way of Life:  A Theology of Christian Vocation.  Eugene, Oregon: Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2002.

Bosch, David. Transforming Mission: Paradigm Shifts in Theology of Mission.        Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 1991. – With Reader’s Guide

Kaiser Jr., Walter C.  Mission in the Old Testament:  Israel as a Light to the Nations.       Grand Rapids:  Baker Books, 2000.

Nussbaum, Stan.  A Reader’s Guide to Transforming Mission.  Maryknoll:  Orbis  Books,          2005.

Lee University Mission Statement:

Lee University is a Christian institution, which seeks to provide education that integrates biblical truth as revealed in the Holy Scriptures with truth discovered through the study of the arts and sciences and in the practice of various professions. A personal commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is the controlling perspective from which the educational enterprise is carried out. The fundamental purpose of all educational programs is to develop within the students knowledge, appreciation, understanding, ability and skills which will prepare them for responsible Christian living in the modern world.

“The School of Religion strongly supports and expects the use of gender inclusive language in written and oral communication.”

CATALOG DESCRIPTION:

An introduction to the study of missions with a stress upon what the Bible teaches about the plan of God for the propagation of the Gospel from Genesis to Revelation. (3 Hours)

I.      PURPOSE
This course is designed to provide students with a Biblical and theological foundation for the cross-cultural extension of the Christian Church.

II.   OBJECTIVES

A.   General Learning Objectives
This course seeks to:

1.     Survey the teaching about missions in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.

2.     Introduce theological/missiological vocabulary for dealing with concepts and issues in Christian missions.

3.     Explain the place of Christian mission in the overall nature and functioning of the church.

4.     Describe contemporary theologies of missions.

5.     Introduce students to the distinctives of a Pentecostal theology of missions.

B.    Specific Behavioral Objectives
As a result of the activities and study in the course, the student will be able to:

1.     *Analyze missiological passages in the books of the Old and New Testaments.

2.     *Defend the Christian Church's position on the necessity of communicating the gospel cross-culturally.

3.     *Identify significant missions theologians, historical and contemporary.

4.     *Appraise the role of Pentecostal Theology in a global context.

III.  TOPICS TO BE COVERED

C.   Theological Foundations for Missions

D.   Mission in Contemporary Crisis

E.    Old and New Testament Theology of Mission

F.    Contextualization of Mission

G.   African Theologies

H.   Latin American Theologies

I.       Asian Theologies

J.      Pentecostal Missions

IV.   Instructional Procedure

         A.  Formal Lectures

               B.  Multi-media presentations

         C.  Guest lecturers: to be announced

   D.  Seminar:  Student Presentations

22.  Course Assignments

A.   Come to class having read the assigned sections from the prescribed texts and/or other readings assigned by the professor.

B.    Two class examinations are scheduled for this course.

C.   Critical response to selected readings/journals

D.   Critical Book Reflection

E.     Research Paper: selected chapters from David Bosch, Transforming Mission.

VI.  Evaluation:
Evaluation Activities

a.       Examinations(2x20%)                                                          40%

b.      Critical Book Reflection                                                      10%

c.      Journal Reflections                                                               10%

d.      Response to Journal Article                                                10%

e.      Term Paper                                                                              30%

VII.  Grading Scale:

A  = 94-100          B+= 87-89          C+=77-79          D = 60-69

A- = 90-93            B  = 83-86          C = 73-76          Below 60 = F (Fail)

      B- = 80-82          C-= 70-72

NB. Late submission of assignments will incur a penalty of 2% per school day. Work submitted after ONE week of the due date will not be graded.  Weekly reading summaries are due no later than 1 p.m. in my office.  Late papers will not be accepted and will incur penalties.

VIII.        Attendance Policy:
It is the responsibility of students to attend class regularly and punctually. Every absence whether excused or unexcused counts in the attendance evaluation. Extenuating circumstances will be judged on their merit and at the discretion of the professor. Cumulative absences over five will result in the loss of one letter grade. Make up tests will only be given based on medically confirmed reports, and school business (music, athletics trips), however, unexcused absentees may take their exams subject to a grade reduction. In either situation, exams must be taken within one week of the student's return to campus.

IX.             Students with Disabilities
Lee University is committed to the provision of reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities as defined in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Students who think they may qualify for these accommodations should notify their instructor immediately. Special services are provided through the Academic Support Program.

X.        APPENDIX A: Seminar Guidelines & Topics for Term Paper:

Research Paper

Students will write a 10-page paper on any of the topics covered in class or from the assigned readings. Papers will be typed, double-spaced assuming one-inch margins with appropriate footnotes and bibliography. The bibliography should comprise at least 10 sources including 2 journal articles. The topic, outline, and bibliography are due no later than September 30, 2005. The term paper must be submitted no later than November 15, 2005.

1.       A handout summarizing the material studied for the class presentation must be distributed to the class on the day you lead the discussion.

2.      Chapter 12 of Bosch’s work, “Elements of an Emerging Ecumenical Paradigm” will serve as the basis for dialogue and discussion in the seminar/presentations.

XI.  APPENDIX B:  Guidelines for Book Review

BOOK REVIEW:  Gary D. Badcock, The Way of Life   

Guidelines:  The critical reflection should be between 4-5 pages, double spaced, assuming one inch margins all round and 13 font, Times New Roman.

1.     Here are some questions to bear in mind when you are reading the book:

a)     What is the main thesis of the book

b)    What do you consider to be the aim of the book

c)     Would you recommend this book to someone else to read?  Who should read the book and why?

2.     In the first part of your reflection Do the following:

a)     What are the primary contributions made by the author in this book?

b)    State the main aim of the book

c)     What is the context for the writing of this book?

3.     The second part of the reflection should contain the following:

a)     A brief outline of the book

b)    Summarize the content of the book.  Here you should aim to give the implied reader (someone who has not read the book) a good overview of the content.

c)     Be sure to reflect on the whole book and not just parts of it.

4.     In the third section of your reflection:

a)     You should engage the material personally and critically: Does the author make a convincing argument? How has the reading of the book shaped your own thinking? Does the author do justice to the subject?  Is the book relevant for today’s missionary enterprise?

5.     Finally you should conclude the critical reflection to state your overall impressions of the book.  Suggest its importance or unimportance for the reader.

XII.  Appendix C: Journal Response

1.      The response should be completed in a minimum of FIVE pages, doubled spaced, 12/13font Times New Roman and assuming ONE inch margins all around.

2.      You should devote approximately One page to summarize the article. (Offer the reader a summary that will provoke the reader to read the whole piece.

3.      Identify/list at least Five major points from the reading that you would like to critique/evaluate.

4.      Discuss these five points stating whether you agree or disagree with the author , giving reasons for your point of view.

5.      Conclusion: Suggest alternative views/resources that throw light on the subject or current debate.