DESCRIPTION:

This course will provide an introduction to the more important themes, and an overview of the more significant events in the life of the Church around the world from the 17^th through the 20^th Centuries. Beginning with the years following the Reformation, students will survey the growth and contributions of the Church in Europe, North and South America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Australia and Oceana. Attention will be given to some of the more important theological themes, as well as sociological and cultural developments that have shaped or been shaped by specific regional and global historical contexts.

This course should enable students better to understand and interpret contemporary events and discussions in light of their historical and social contexts. Students should expect to be both culturally and ecumenically sensitized.

This class will meet weekly for three-hour sessions, in a lecture-discussion format.

Students are encouraged to begin the assigned reading before class in order to be prepared for discussion and the two exams. The syllabus will contain the notes for the course. Students are expected to bring these notes to class.

Freston, Paul. Evangelicals and Politics in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Cambridge University Press, 2001.

Johnstone, Patrick. Operation World. Zondervan, 1993.

Miller, Glenn T. The Modern Church. Abingdon, 1997.

Robeck, Cecil M. Syllabus. (available in the bookstore).

Students must also choose all other texts from One of the following regional categories:

Latin America:

Cook, Guillermo, ed. New Face of the Church in Latin America. Orbis Books 1994. And

Gutierrez, Benjamin F. and Dennis A. Smith, eds. In the Power of the Spirit. Presbyterian Church USA, 1996. And

Williamson, Edwin. The Penguin History of Latin America. London: Penguin, 1992.

OR Africa:

Hastings, Adrian. The Church in Africa, 1450-1950. Oxford University Press, 1995. And

Gifford, Paul. African Christianity: Its Public Role. Indiana University Press, 1998. Or

Sanneh, Lamin. West African Christianity: The Religious Impact. Orbis, 1983.

OR Asia:

Bays, Daniel H., ed. Christianity in China. Stanford University Press, 1996. And

Clark, Donald N. Christianity in Modern Korea. University Press of America, 1986. And

Piggin, Stuart. Evangelical Christianity in Australia. Oxford University Press, 1996.

There will be one midterm and a final examination covering the texts and lectures. These will count for 80% of the final grade. Students will be asked to read one general work, and several regional specific works. Students will be expected to write a four-page response to one contemporary document to be assigned. It will be due February 25, 2002 and will count for 20% of the grade.

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