DESCRIPTION:

This class is a survey of events, persons, and ideas that have most influenced the Christian tradition during the modern period, beginning with the post-reformation religious landscape of Western Europe and concluding with the most significant trends of Christian thought and life in the twentieth century.

It is important in our increasingly secular age that leaders of the church be well informed about the leading themes of the modern church, in order to critically evaluate the ideas and assumptions of modern culture, and interpret the gospel tradition anew for each generation with vigor, clarity and hope. Moreover, an understanding of modern church history will often encourage a sympathetic awareness of other Christian traditions and beliefs, thus fostering virtues of humility, tolerance, wisdom, and mutual respect, while at the same time leading to a deeper loyalty and appreciation of one's own tradition.

This class will meet twice weekly for two-hour sessions of lecture and discussion.

Gonzalez, Justo L. The Story of Christianity. Volume 2. HarperSanFrancisco, 1985.

Shaw, Mark. Ten Great Ideas from Church History: A Decision Maker's Guide to Shaping Your Church. InterVarsity Press, 1997.

Tucker, Ruth A. and Walter Liefeld. Daughters of the Church. Zondervan Academie Books, 1987.

Two selected primary texts on reserve in the Fuller library.

1. Assigned readings to be completed as preparation for lectures.

2. A mid-term exam and final examination.

3. Two 5-7 page critical response papers to selected readings on reserve.

None.

Meets M. Div. core requirement in Church History "C" (CHC).

Yes.