Global Christianity Since 1700

THL330

This subject provides a comprehensive view of the global Christian movement over time. It explores the expansion and development of Christianity as a world religion between 1700 and today, concurrently with European colonisation and the emergence of the modern missionary movement. The subject examines themes in world Christianity from historical, theological and sociological perspectives. These themes include: the inculturation of Christianity, dialogue with other faiths, the impact of poverty and demands for social justice, hermeneutical diversity, and the rise of fundamentalism and Pentecostal movements. These themes are discussed with reference to non-western contexts, in comparison with Anglo-American and European trends.

Duration

One Semester

Availability

Semester 2 every even year

Subject Points

8

Core/Elective

Elective

Delivery Mode

On site at St Francis College Milton; or Externally – log in to listen and participate or view the lecture via video later.

Prerequisites

THL131 and THL132

Hastings, A., (1999), A world history of Christianity. ISBN 0304704385

The year of publication and ISBN given corresponds to the copy placed in Closed Reserve at the Roscoe Library; there may be other valid ISBNs that differ because of a different publisher or format. Please contact your lecturer or the Roscoe Library staff to confirm text before purchasing. If purchasing, we recommend that you use booko.com.au.

Prescribed Texts

To be advised by the CSU Subject Outline for the appropriate semester

Assessments

Content

This subject will cover the following topics:

  • an introduction to the historiography of contemporary world Christianity

  • contemporary issues in the sociology and history of religion

  • Christian missions and their relationship with race and empire

  • the impact upon Western Christianity of the Enlightenment, science, industrialisation and
    secularism

  • the ecumenical movement

  • the inculturation of Christianity, with special reference to African, Asian or Pacific Christianity

  • poverty, social justice and political struggle in the non-Western world

  • theology and history, with special reference to liberationist, feminist, post-colonial, and
    ecumenical theologians

  • Christianity and nationalism

  • Christianity and other faiths

  • Christian fundamentalism

  • the rise of Pentecostalism

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

  • be able to demonstrate an understanding of the context of Christianity's global expansion after
    1700

  • be able to demonstrate an understanding of major themes in the global expansion of Christianity

  • be able to discuss and evaluate critically how contemporary Christianity has become a largely
    non-Western faith

  • be able to develop a basic taxonomy of world Christianities

  • be able to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the issues surrounding the inculturation of
    the Christian faith

  • be able to demonstrate an understanding of the role of religion in the development of national
    identity

  • be able to demonstrate critical engagement with historical claims made about the religious past

  • be able to exhibit advanced shills in historical enquiry

  • be able to demonstrate self guided and collaborative learning