MT527: Lesslie Newbigin: Theologian of Mission and Ministry (4 units)

Veli-Matti Karkkainen, Professor of Systematic Theology
Wilbert R. Shenk, Paul E. Pierson Professor of Mission History and Contemporary Culture
Spring 2005 Pasadena

DESCRIPTION:

Lesslie Newbigin (1909-98) was one of the outstanding Christian leaders and seminal thinkers of the twentieth century who left a rich legacy of writings on theology, ecclesiology, mission, ecumenism, and ministry. He served as a missionary evangelist and bishop in India for thirty-five years, international lecturer, and ecumenical leader. After 1983 Newbigin spearheaded the Gospel and Our Culture movement that addressed the West as a missionary frontier.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

• Familiarity with the writings of a seminal Christian thinker.
• A clarified theology of ministry and mission.
• Renewed confidence in the Gospel.

COURSE FORMAT:

The class will meet weekly. Lectures will deal with the major themes found in Newbigin’s writings. Use will be made of video recordings of Newbigin lecturing. Discussion groups will encourage student engagement with Newbigin’s thought.

REQUIRED READING: A minimum of 1,500 pages from the following books. Read all of books in bold print and selectively from others.

Geoffrey Wainwright, Lesslie Newbigin: A Theological Life (2000)
Lesslie Newbigin, Unfinished Agenda: Autobiography (1993, rev. ed.)
_______________, The Gospel in a Pluralist Society (1989)
_______________, The Household of God (1954)
_______________, The Open Secret (1978; rev. ed.1995)
_______________, The Light Has Come (1982)
_______________, The Other Side of 1984 (1983)
_______________, Foolishness to the Greeks (1986)
_______________, A Word in Season: Christian World Missions (1994)
_______________, Proper Confidence (1995)
_______________, Signs Amid the Rubble (2003)

RECOMMENDED READING:

Thomas F. Foust, et al, eds. A Scandalous Prophet (2002). Contains a comprehensive and indispensable bibliography of Newbigin’s (a) published writings, (b) unpublished manuscripts, (c) selected audio and video materials, (d) published reviews of Newbigin’s books, and (e) selected engagements with Newbigin’s thought.
George R. Hunsberger, Bearing the Witness of the Spirit: Lesslie Newbigin’s Theology of Cultural Plurality (1998).
Michael W. Goheen, “As the Father Has Sent Me, I am Sending You”: J. E. Lesslie Newbigin’s Missionary Ecclesiology (2000)
Lesslie Newbigin, A Faith for this One World? (1961)
_______________, Trinitarian Faith and Today’s Mission (1964; 1^st edn. 1963, title: The Relevance of Trinitarian Doctrine for Today’s Mission)
_______________, Honest Religion for Secular Man (1966)
_______________, Truth to Tell: The Gospel as Public Truth (1991)
_______________, St. Paul in Limerick (1998)

ASSIGNMENTS:

1. 1,500 page reading log and write two short responses (2 pp/500 words.) to themes or ideas treated by Newbigin. Reading logs to be turned in the third, sixth, and ninth weeks of term.
10-12 minutes oral presentation on a chapter from a Newbigin book that you find significant.
2. 3,500-word paper on a theme that draws on Newbigin’s thought and is relevant to your own ministry.
3. Th.M. students: read 1,700 pages; write a 4,000-word paper. This should demonstrate deeper theoretical knowledge and how this can be applied in ministry.

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective.

FINAL EXAM: None.

Last Date Edited: February 8, 2005