MP541/641: Living the Text
in a Postmodern Context (4 units)
Steve Taylor, Adjunct
Assistant Professor of Contemporary Culture
Summer 2006 Pasadena
DESCRIPTION:
This course will explore the
communication of the Biblical text in a contemporary world, with particular
missiological reference to the use of the Bible in the postmodern, emerging
church. It will apply theological insights around text, community and culture,
to the task of maintaining and communicating the integrity of the Biblical text
with reference to postmodernity. As a result of the course, students will be
better equipped to read and communicate the Biblical text in a postmodern
context.
LEARNING
OUTCOMES:
•
Appreciate the potential of Biblical resources in contemporary communication.
• Critically analyze the way the Bible is being used in the emerging church.
• Practically apply techniques to living the Biblical text.
COURSE
FORMAT:
An intensive of seven hours per day
taught over one week. The course will combine both theory and practice,
believing that learning often happens through seeing new models, while new
practices necessitate a shift in the under girding values. This will include
one field trip to experience the use of images in communication.
REQUIRED
READING:
Pick
1000 pages from the following. If you have read any of the required texts for
another course, please select an alternative text from the recommended reading
list or a book approved by the instructor.
Drane, John. The McDonaldization of the
Church. Spirituality, Creativity & the Future of the Church, DLT:
London, 2000.
Pollerman, Sandra, Stories, Stories
Everywhere. Good Practice for Storytellers, Bible Reading Fellowship: Oxford,
2001.
Rowell, Gill, The (Spiritual) Adventures
of CyberCindy. Paternoster: Carlisle, 2003.
Rose, Lucy Atkinson, Sharing the Word.
Preaching the Roundtable Church, Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville,
1997.
Sample, Tex, Ministry in an Oral Culture.
Living With Will Rogers, Uncle Remus, and Minnie Pearl, Westminster John
Knox Press, Louisville, 1994.
Taylor, The Out of Bounds Church?
Learning to Create a Community of Faith in a Culture of Change, Zondervan,
2005.
Troeger, Thomas H. Ten Strategies for
Preaching in a Multi-media Culture. Abingdon: Nashville, 1996.
RECOMMENDED
READING:
Adams,
Douglas, The Prostitute in the Family
Tree. Discovering Humor and Irony in the Bible, Westminster John Knox
Press, Louisville, 1997.
Drane, Olive M. Fleming, Clowns,
Storytellers, Disciples. Spirituality & Creativity for Today’s Church,
BRF: Oxford, 2002.
Paggitt, Doug. Preaching Re-imagined.
Zondervan, 2005.
Riddell, Mike, God’s Home Page. A Journey
Through the Bible for postmodern pilgrimsBRF: Oxford, 1998.
Stephens, Mitchell, The Rise of the
Image, the Fall of the Word. Oxford University Press: New York, 1998.
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. Daily journal, giving 10 entries of
200 words each (total 2000 words). This must be done on-line. Students will be given
their own weblog (blog) and are encouraged to read and interact with each
other. Lecturer will grade 50% (5 of the journal entries) at the end of week 1
and 50% at the end of week 2. Worth 40%.
2. Students will critically reflect on one example of how the Bible is being
used in a contemporary context. Students will identify strengths and
weaknesses, using the tools gained during the class (all learning outcomes).
3,000 words. Due end of quarter. Worth 60%.
Note: Both pieces of assessment must demonstrate a detailed knowledge
of, and reflective responses to, knowledge and insights gained from the class
and assigned reading.
ThM: ThM students are expected to
supply an annotated bibliography of 10 helpful resources for their living of
the text. 1000 words.
PREREQUISTES: None.
RELATIONSHIP
TO CURRICULUM: Elective.
FINAL
EXAM: None.