4. CHURCH HISTORY 2 at Tokyo Christian University
Church History II,
TCU ACTS-ES, Spring 2009
(ACTS-ES: Asian Christian Theological Studies - English Students)
DESCRIPTION AND GOALS
This course introduces students to selected personalities, movements, and theologies of Christian church history from the Reformation onward. Emphasis is placed upon tracing the history of the Christian church so as to understand the origin and development of various Christian theological themes. The historical perspective of this course provides an opportunity for students to critically evaluate contemporary Christian movements, theologies, and personalities. At the same time, the course lays a historical foundation upon which students can develop their own theological understandings that avoid historical and theological caricature.
SESSION TITLES AND MAJOR THEMES
- 1) Luther – theology of the cross
- 2) Zwingli – bibliology (clarity and certainty of the Bible), Lord’s supper
- 3) Calvin – Institutes of the Christian Religion, the “Reformed principle,” predestination
- 4) Radical and counter reformation – Conrad Grebel, anabaptism, Menno Simons, separation of church and state, religious liberty, suffering, Ignatius Loyola, Jesuits
- 5) Spirituality and revival – Puritans, pietism, Philip Spener, George Whitefield, John Wesley, Great Britain and America, Jonathan Edwards
- 6) Reason – David Hume, Immanuel Kant, Friedrich Schleiermacher, liberalism
- 7) Missions – William Carey, Adoniram Judson, Mary Slessor, David Livingstone, Hudson Taylor
- 8) Movements – Pentecostal/charismatic, ecumenical, evangelicalism
- 9-10) Historical theology – Karl Barth, Paul Tillich, Karl Rahner, Roman Catholic theology, process theology
TEXTBOOKS
Tomkins, Stephen.
A Short History of Christianity. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 2005. (ISBN 978-0-8028-3382-2)
Hill, Jonathan.
The History of Christian Thought. Downers Grove, Illinois: IVP, 2003. (ISBN 978-0-8308-2845-6)
EVALUATION
- Mid-term objective test on day #7. [30% of course grade]
- A 2000 word paper is due on the last day of final exams. The paper topic is due on day #8. The topic must be approved by the professor. The paper should have three parts. (1) Description: Select a person, movement, or theology as the theme, and then accurately describe that theme in historical and theological context (about 1200 words, 60% of paper). (2) Interpretation of others: note how others have understood and evaluated your selected theme, whether negatively or positively (400-600 words, 20-30% of paper). (3) Your own interpretation: evaluate your theme from your own perspective (200-400 words, 10-20% of paper) [50% of course grade].
- Required reading record, using forms prepared by professor. [10% of course grade]
- Class participation [10% of course grade]
AMOUNT OF TIME REQUIRED
Students can expect to invest 30 hours into this course (20 class hours x 1.5 personal hours for each class hour = 30 hours). About 15-20 hours will be expected for required readings and preparation for the mid-term test. About 10-15 hours will be required for researching and writing the paper.
OTHER NOTES
Each student will receive a syllabus and course outline on the first day. If the course outline is followed on a weekly basis, all requirements of the course will be met. Each student will receive weekly required reading forms. These required reading forms are due on the scheduled dates. No credit will be given for late required reading reports.
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Chadwick, Owen.
The Reformation. Middlesex, UK: Penguin, 1972.
Hill, Jonathan.
Zondervan Handbook to the History of Christianity. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2006.
Lane, Tony.
A Concise History of Christian Thought. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2006.
McGrath, Alister E.
Christian Theology: An Introduction, 3rd Edition. Oxford, UK: Blackwell, 2001.
McGrath, Alister E.
The Christian Theology Reader, 3rd Edition. Oxford, UK: Blackwell, 2007.
Moffett, Samuel Hugh.
A History of Christianity in Asia. Vol. II:
1500 - 1900. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 2005.
Moreau, A. Scott, Gary R. Corwin, Gary B. McGee.
Introducing World Missions: A Biblical, Historical, and Practical Survey. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2004.
Noll, Mark A.
Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2000.
Sweeney, Douglas A.
The American Evangelical Story: A History of the Movement. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2005.