Content

The unit explores understandings and realities of the meeting between cultures and the Gospel. By examining Thomas Grenham’s writings on theological inculturation and Kathyrn Tanner’s work on ‘Theories of Culture’, the students are challenged to move towards a ‘process’ rather than static based approach to, and description of Gospel contextualisation, by becoming more attuned to the developing understandings of both ‘Mission’ and ‘Culture’. Unit content draws on the understanding and experience of the student while aiming to describe a spirituality for mission in today’s inter-religious and inter-cultural world.

Unit code: DM2016Y

Unit status: Archived (New unit)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 2

Unit discipline: Missiology

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Yarra Theological Union

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Learning outcomes

1.

Describe understandings and theories of culture in human life

2.

Explore aspects of cultural anthropology and of church teaching and practice that related to mission historically

3.

Present a critical reflection on a selected aspect of ‘liberating mission’

4.

Evaluate situations and experiences of intercultural dialogue and gospel inculturation

5.

Demonstrate an ability for personal critical reflection in terms of a spirituality for mission in today’s world

Unit sequence

Level 2: DT1330Y or equivalent

Pedagogy

Lectures, interactive engagement and Tutorials

Indicative Bibliography

  • Bevans, Stephen and Katalina Tahaafe-Williams, eds. Contextual Theology for the Twenty-first Century. Eugene, OR: Pickwick Publications, 2011.
  • Gallagher, Robert L., and Paul Hertig, eds., Landmark Essays in Mission and World Christianity, Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2009
  • Gittins, A. Ministry at the Margins: Strategy and Spirituality for Mission. Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 2002.
  • Grenham, Thomas, G. The Unknown God: Religious and Theological Inculturation. Oxford: Peter Lang, 2005
  • Groody, Daniel. Globalisation, Spirituality and Justice. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2007
  • Oborji, Francis, A. Concepts of Mission: The Evolution of Contemporary Missiology. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 2006
  • Pocock, M. The Changing Faces of World Missions: Engaging Contemporary Issues and Trends. Grand Rapids MI: Baker Academic, 2005
  • Pui-lan, Kwok, ed. Hope Abundant: Third World and Indigenous Women’s Theology. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1998
  • Smith, Susan. Women in Mission: From the New Testament to Today. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2010.
  • Tan, Jonathan, Y. Christian Mission among the Peoples of Asia. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2014.
  • Tanner, Kathryn. Theories of Culture: A New Agenda for Theology. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1997

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Essay

3500 word Essay

3500 70.0
Seminar or Tutorial

1000 word Tutorial

1000 30.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 19 Oct, 2015

Unit record last updated: 2020-09-23 18:15:55 +1000