Course Catalogue 2026-2027

The concept of Mission is prominent and ever-present in the contemporary church, but there remains considerable confusion surrounding the theology and practice of Christian witness. Painful awareness of the legacy of colonialism leaves many mainline churches uncomfortable with the concept of mission, for fear of 'imposing' their worldview on others. The course examines contemporary models and movements of mission from "planting," "Fresh Expressions," and "Liquid Church," to "social outreach" and "faith-based community organizing". Attention will be give to theologies of mission, missional literature, and to particular local mission projects in their ecclesial contexts. Students will be equipped to formulate their own theology of mission and to become familiar with distinct practical models of mission. These discussions will all be with a view to working to understand and shape the future course of the church.

The concept of Mission is prominent and ever-present in the contemporary church, but there remains considerable confusion surrounding the theology and practice of Christian witness. Painful awareness of the legacy of colonialism leaves many mainline churches uncomfortable with the concept of mission, for fear of €˜imposing' their worldview on others. The course examines contemporary models and movements of mission €“ from €œplanting,€ €œFresh Expressions,€ and "Liquid Church," to €œsocial outreach€ and €œfaith-based community organizing.€ Attention will be give to theologies of mission, missional literature, and to particular local mission projects in their ecclesial contexts. Students will be equipped to formulate their own theology of mission and to become familiar with distinct practical models of mission. These discussions will all be with a view to working to understand and shape the future course of the church.

The concept of Mission is prominent and ever-present in the contemporary church, but there remains considerable confusion surrounding the theology and practice of Christian witness. Painful awareness of the legacy of colonialism leaves many mainline churches uncomfortable with the concept of mission, for fear of ‘imposing’ their worldview on others. The course examines contemporary models and movements of mission – from “planting,” “Fresh Expressions,” and “Liquid Church,” to “social outreach” and “faith-based community organizing.” Attention will be given to theologies of mission, missional literature, and to particular local mission projects in their ecclesial contexts. Students will be equipped to formulate their own theology of mission and to become familiar with distinct practical models of mission. These discussions will all be with a view to working to understand and shape the future course of the church.

The concept of Mission is prominent and ever-present in the contemporary church, but there remains considerable confusion surrounding the theology and practice of Christian witness. Painful awareness of the legacy of colonialism leaves many mainline churches uncomfortable with the concept of mission, for fear of imposing' their worldview on others. The course examines contemporary models and movements of mission Fresh Expressions, and "Liquid Church," to social outreach and faith-based community organizing. Attention will be give to theologies of mission, missional literature, and to particular local mission projects in their ecclesial contexts. Students will be equipped to formulate their own theology of mission and to become familiar with distinct practical models of mission. These discussions will all be with a view to working to understand and shape the future course of the church.

Examination of the historical and ecumenical theological origins and contemporary expressions of Christian engagement with social justice. Topics addressed will include: the 18th -19th century economic, political, philosophical, and religious background in Europe and North America; the Social Gospel and Christian Socialism in Protestantism and papal social teachings in Roman Catholicism; black and feminist theologies and global liberation theologies; and justice-related issues such as wealth and poverty, war and peace, race, gender, sexual orientation, and ecology. Sources examined will include the work of theologians and reports by denominational and ecumenical bodies.

Examination of the historical and ecumenical theological origins and contemporary expressions of Christian engagement with social justice. Topics addressed will include: the 18th -19th century economic, political, philosophical, and religious background in Europe and North America; the Social Gospel and Christian Socialism in Protestantism and papal social teachings in Roman Catholicism; black and feminist theologies and global liberation theologies; and justice-related issues such as wealth and poverty, war and peace, race, gender, sexual orientation, and ecology. Sources examined will include the work of theologians and reports by denominational and ecumenical bodies. Teaching methods will include lectures, class discussion, readings, papers, and in-class presentations; evaluation will be based on class attendance, participation, and papers (for all students); and in-class presentations (for AD students). Pre-requisites: at least one course in Bible, theology and the history of Christianity. Class attendance and participation; one 4-5 page reflection paper; one 10-12 page topic paper; and one 15-18 page research paper (for all students); and in-class presentations (for AD students) 
 

This course will engage the questions of interreligious dialogue and comparative theology on the theology on the theological issues of redemption and salvation by comparing the work of some key Christian thinkers with themes in Buddhism.  We will also engage comparative questions such as desire, imitation, prayer, mediation and responses to suffering and violence.  BD Evaluation; papers, book review, presentation, final synthesis paper and participation.  AD Evaluation: paper, presentations or research, participation, final research paper.

This course will engage the questions of interreligious dialogue and comparative theology on the theology on the theological issues of redemption and salvation by comparing the work of some key Christian thinkers with themes in Buddhism. We will also engage comparative questions such as desire, imitation, prayer, mediation and responses to suffering and violence.

This course will engage the questions of interreligious dialogue and comparative theology on the theology on the theological issues of redemption and salvation by comparing the work of some key Christian thinkers with themes in Buddhism. We will also engage comparative questions such as desire, imitation, prayer, mediation and responses to suffering and violence.

This course will engage the questions of interreligious dialogue and comparative theology on the theology on the theological issues of redemption and salvation by comparing the work of some key Christian thinkers with themes in Buddhism. We will also engage comparative questions such as desire, imitation, prayer, mediation and responses to suffering and violence.

This course will engage the questions of interreligious dialogue on the questions of redemption and Nirvana by comparing the work of Lonergan, Girard in dialogue with contemporary Buddhism such as Thich Nhat Hanh and Pema Chordon. We will engage comparative questions such as desire, imitation, and responses to suffering and violence. 
 

This course will engage the questions of interreligious dialogue and comparative theology on the theology on the theological issues of redemption and salvation by comparing the work of some key Christian thinkers with themes in Buddhism. We will also engage comparative questions such as desire, imitation, prayer, mediation and responses to suffering and violence. BD Evaluation; papers, book review, presentation, final synthesis paper and participation. AD Evaluation: paper, presentations or research, participation, final research paper.