MO689/789/889: Tutorial Seminar on Spiritual Dynamics (8 units)

Dr. Pablo A. Deiros, Professor of History of Mission
Summer 2004 Pasadena

 

 

DESCRIPTION:

Issues in spiritual dynamics are becoming more and more relevant for many people around the world and for many Christians committed to God’s mission. As cross-cultural witnesses to the kingdom of God we need to learn how to carry out our mission with a clear understanding of spiritual missiology. This represents a new field of research, different from spiritual theology, which has been more commonly studied in the sphere of Christian spirituality.

 

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:

For those seeking to cultivate church multiplication movements and a bold cross-cultural testimony to the gospel of the kingdom a strong spiritual foundation and praxis is essential. A serious consideration of spiritual missiology will help the students to realize the powerful spiritual resources that are available in God’s grace to complete the mission that has been entrusted to the church.

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

The aim of this seminar is to enable advanced students to face the issues of spiritual missiology in cross-cultural witness in a knowledgeable and balanced scriptural fashion. Students will be able to reflect on and develop a praxis on ways to more effectively use prayer, intercession, spiritual warfare, charismatic gifts, anointing, power and authority in the name of Jesus, signs and wonders, worship, sacraments, meditation, spiritual discernment, spiritual impartations, etc. in the accomplishment of the mission that has been entrusted to the church.

 

COURSE FORMAT:

This course will be an 8-unit seminar designed to enable doctoral students who are dealing with issues of spiritual dynamics in their dissertations to increase their ability to treat the subject well. It will meet daily, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.

 

REQUIRED READING:

Grenz, Stanley J. A Primer on Postmodernism. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1996.
Hanson, Bradley C., ed. Modern Christian Spirituality: Methodological and Historical Essays. American Academy of Religion, Studies in Religion 62. Atlanta, GA: Scholars Press, 1990.
Lovelace, Richard F. Dynamics of Spiritual Life: An Evangelical Theology of Renewal. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1979.
Rommen, E., ed. Spiritual Power and Missions. Pasadena, CA: William Carey Library, 1995.
Schaeffer, Francis A. True Spirituality. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1972.

 

RECOMMENDED READINGS:

Allen, Diogenes. Spiritual Theology. Cambridge, Mass.: Cowley, 1997.
Clapp, Rodney. A Peculiar People: The Church as Culture in a Post-Christian Society. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1996.
Gibbs, Eddie. Generation Next: Quantum Changes in How We Do Ministry. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 2000.
Kelsey, Morton. Healing & Christianity: A Classic Study. Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1995..
Silvoso, Ed. Prayer Evangelism. Ventura, CA: Regal Books, 2000.

 

ASSIGNMENTS: Students will focus on topics that fit into their dissertation and write a tutorial-length paper. Class sessions are to be focused on these projects and reporting on them.

 

PREREQUISITES: One or more of the courses on spiritual dynamics or power ministries, or permission of the professor. Students must be enrolled in the ThM, D.Miss,  or the Ph.D. programs.

 

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:

Counts as one 8-unit tutorial for doctoral students writing tutorials on some aspect of spiritual dynamics.

 

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.

 

Last Date Edited: March 22, 2004.