Details for Global Christianity and Social Engagement

This unit sets out the theological foundations for social engagement. It provides a theology of holistic mission that takes into account the physical, social, cultural and spiritual implications of the ‘good news’ of the Kingdom of God.   

The unit Global Christianity and Social Engagement is part of the subject area Social Engagement and is offered as a part of the following Awards: Master of Arts (Christian Studies) (Alphacrucis College (NSW Dept. of Education)).

Unit Content

Curriculum Objective

At the successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. demonstrate a solid understanding of the theological foundations of holistic church mission;
2. critically analyse the ways in which economic, political, cultural, personal, and religious values contribute to both human flourishing and, conversely, poverty and injustice;
3. demonstrate an understanding of the complex environmental and social challenges that require response from the church;
describe and critique alternate ways in which religious communities have engaged with the economic, political and cultural structures that generate and sustain poverty, injustice and environmental issues. 

Subject Content

1. Concepts of mission opposed to social engagement
2. Poverty and social justice in the Scriptures
3. The Kingdom of God and integral mission
4. Bernard Lonergan and the scale of values; vital, social, cultural, personal, religious
5.                 Describing local and global crises; environment, poverty, injustice
6. Theology and economics
7. Christians, politics and advocacy
8. Engaging with cultures
9. Religious peace and inter-religious dialogue
10. Development theory beyond the church 

Assessment Methods

Forum responses, essay, project.

Prescribed Text

• Ormerod, Neil, and Shane Clifton. Globalization and the Mission of the Church, Ecclesiological Investigations Series. T & T Clark, 2009.

Representative References

Chester, T. Good News to the Poor. Leicester: IVP, 2004.

Edwards, Denis. Earth Revealing - Earth Healing: Ecology and Christian Theology. Collegeville, Minn.: Liturgical Press, 2001.

Engel J. and W. Dyrness. Changing the Mind of Mission. Downers Grove, Ill: IVP, 2000.

Evans, C.A.“Jesus and Justice.” Ex Auditi22 (2006): 159-175.

Mostert, C. (ed.). Hope: Challenging the Culture of Despair. Adelaide: ATF, 2004.

Ma, W. “The Spirit of God in Creation: Lessons for Christian Mission.” Transformation 24, no. 3 (2007): 222-230.

Miller, D.E. & Yamamori, T. Global Pentecostalism: The New Face of Christian Social Engagement.  Berkeley CA:  University of California Press, 2007.

Sacks, Jonathan. The Dignity of Difference:  How to Avoid the Clash of Civilizations. London: Continuum, 2002.