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: BS8039P

Unit status: Archived (New unit)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Foundational

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.

Articulate the relationship between recurring major biblical themes which inform a theology of mission

3.

Critically discuss significant scholarly shifts in construing the biblical theology of mission

4.

Apply a missional hermeneutical for the reading of scripture

5.

Demonstrate a critical understanding of mission drawn from the biblical text

Pedagogy

Lecturers, tutorials

Indicative Bibliography

  • Bauckham, Richard. Bible and Mission: Christian Witness in a Postmodern World. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2003.
  • Berchie, Daniel (et al), eds. The Bible, Cultural Identity, and Missions. Newcastle upon Tyne; Cambridge Scholars, 2016.
  • 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.
  • Kok, Jacobus (et al) eds. Sensitivity Towards Outsiders: Exploring the Dynamic Relationship between Mission and Ethics in the New Testament and Early Christianity. WUNT 2/364. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2014.*
  • 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 (5000 words) with the question developed in conjunction with the lecturer

0 75.0
Book Review
book review (1000 words)
0 25.0
Approvals

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

Unit record last updated: 2022-10-04 09:48:19 +1100