In this course, students will examine selected metaphors, word-pictures and biographical sketches in the narrative of the Bible that portray God’s mission throughout salvation history from Genesis to Revelation. Special attention will be given to the missiological significance of the narrative. Missional insights drawn from the biblical story will be applied to selected missional issues facing those involved in ministry in multicultural situations.

• Demonstrate a familiarity with a biblical and theological understanding of God’s mission as portrayed in the Bible;
• Apply basic biblical and theological insights in constructing a framework for personal and ministry growth;
• Understand how to apply biblical principles in life, ministry and mission participation;
• Integrate biblical and theological insights in missionary praxis; and
• Be familiar with missional issues surrounding contextualization of the Gospel.

The focus of the course is on the application of biblical and theological perspectives of God’s mission to the ministry and mission praxis of those planning to be cross-cultural missionaries and others in a variety of professions who hope to share their faith and lives in a multicultural world.

Bible reading, missiological reflection on the text, outside reading and reports, coupled with class lectures and discussion, following the sequence of the syllabus.

The Bible (See assignments, below.) (A total of eight books or portions of the Bible are to be read -- minimum: 40 chapters). Students may choose to read four chapters in: (1) Pentateuch, (2) Historical Books, (3) Poetic Books other than Psalms, (4) Psalms, (5) a Major Prophet, (6) a Minor Prophet, (7) a Gospel, (8) one of Paul’s letters, (9) one of (I, II Peter or I, II, III John, James, Hebrews), and (10) Revelation. REQUIRED TEXTS (to be read in this order):

Walter Kaiser, Mission in the Old Testament, G.R.: Baker, 2000.
Johannes Nissen, New Testament and Mission. N.Y.: Peter Lang, 1999
Jill Briscoe. Jonah and the Worm. New Berlin, WI: Jilcoe/Hemp, 1983.
Montgomery, Helen. The Bible and Mission (Shawn Redford, 2001).
Arthur Glasser, with Van Engen, Gilliland and Redford. Announcing the Kingdom: The Story of God’s Mission in the Bible. Pasadena: self published, 2002 – available in class.
John Piper. Let the Nations be Glad: The Supremacy of God in Mission. G.R.: Baker, 1993; OR Roger Greenway Go and Make Disciples An Introduction to Christian Mission. Phillipsburg: P & R Publ., 1999; OR Donald Kraybill. The Upside Down Kingdom. Scottdale: Herald, 1978; OR James Scherer. Gospel, Church and Kingdom. Minn.: Augsburg, 1987; OR Wilbert Shenk. Changing Frontiers of Mission. Maryknoll: Orbis, 1999.
Required SUPPLEMENTAL READINGS are included in the syllabus.

(1) A summary paragraph describing the mission of God as depicted in each of the 8 portions of the Bible read in 1 above. (2) FIVE BOOK REVIEWS following the instructions given in the syllabus and in class: one review for each of the books read. (3) One 12-page (minimum) to 15-page (maximum) typed, double-spaced paper in which students will examine God’s mission as portrayed in one Old Testament and one New Testament passage, reflecting on the missiological significance of the narrative as that is applied to their life and ministry in a multicultural situation. The paper must interact with the books read, develop the missiological significance of the biblical passages studied, and draw out the missiological implications for ministry in the student’s particular context.

Assignments are to be handed in as per the class schedule. Grades are given only for completed work: due to the nature of the course, partial work is not accepted.