Theology of Missions course

"Most of the classes I've taken in my preparation for ministry were about changing the mind. This world missions class has been about changing my heart and attitude toward the Great Commission." -- Robert Holloway

Open Educational Resources

This page and the resources linked from it are Open Educational Resources (OER)

This course will respond to issues like: Is Christ the only way? What is our scriptural and theological foundation for evangelizing the whole world? Does the global mandate begin with Jesus' Great Commission? What about those who have never heard of the name of Jesus? What about those "gentiles" who lived and died prior to Jesus' birth? What does sincerity in following one's own religion count for? In what ways does our culture shape our theology? Is it possible to respond to religious pluralism without falling into either a narrow dogmatism on the one hand or an uncritical relativism on the other?

Course materials

Course syllabus
Phone numbers for various religious groups in OKC (for the interview project)
Question possibilities for group presentations
Diamante (diamond) poem instructions
Will those who have never heard the gospel be lost? Here's a summary of the positions taken by believers on this question: Are the heathen (the unevangelized) really lost? Answers to an oft-asked question
Knowing if you are called to missionary service
Brief written lecture on "Biblical foundations for missions"
Canaan -- strategic land bridge: How strategic was God's choice of a land for His people?
Live-and-convert philosophy -- thoughts on Luke 5 and 6
Among all nations with power -- thoughts on Luke 24:49
Case studies: Christianity encounters other religions
PowerPoint presentations
- Theology and culture: What Neibuhr and Krtaft had to say [ download as PowerPoint ]
- Seven theological trends in missions [ download PowerPoint ]
Exam study guides
Instructions for biblical exegesis paper
Scenarios for group discussions in class
Jonah, the reluctant missionary -- an Old Testament story helps answer the question: "Are the heathen really lost?"

Writing Standards
Most courses at SNU contain a writing component.
I expect students to produce written work that is focused, well-developed, organized, and relatively free of grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors.
Papers falling short of this standard may be returned to the students for further revision and resubmission.
See my writing checklist.

Which question will your group present to the class?

Want to get started on preparing your in-class group presentation? [ more ]

Spurgeon's sermon: The cry of the heathen

In 1858, Charles Haddon Spurgeon preached a message on the biblical basis for world evangelism. That sermon, based on Paul's Macedonian vision in Acts 16:9, is titled "The Cry of the Heathen"

-- Howard Culbertson,

What will I learn in a Theology of Missions course?

A university-level Theology of Missions course will cover a range of topics related to the theological understanding and practice of world missions. Here are some topics students can expect to encounter:

Biblical Basis for Missions:This would involve examining key biblical passages that provide the theological foundation for missions, such as the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), the missionary journeys of Paul, and the Old Testament examples of God's mission.
The Kingdom of God: Understanding the concept of the of God and its implications for missions, including how the kingdom is both a present reality and a future hope.
Incarnational Ministry: Exploring the model of Jesus Christ as the ultimate missionary who incarnated himself into human culture and context, and how this informs the practice of missions today.
Missiological Theology: Studying the intersection of theology and missiology, including the cultural, contextual, and practical aspects of mission work.
Theological Reflection on Missionary Practices: Reflecting on various methods and approaches to missions in light of biblical and theological principles, such as evangelism, church planting, social justice, and holistic ministry.
Contextualization: Understanding the importance of contextualizing the gospel message within different cultural, social, and religious contexts while maintaining biblical integrity.
The Role of the Holy Spirit: Examining the role of the Holy Spirit in mission work, including empowerment for evangelism, spiritual gifts for ministry, and guidance in cross-cultural contexts.
Global Missions and Church History: Surveying the history of missions from the early church to the present day, including key figures, movements, and challenges faced in spreading the gospel worldwide.
Ethical and Practical Issues in World Missions: Addressing ethical dilemmas and practical challenges encountered in mission work, such as cultural sensitivity, social justice, indigenous empowerment, and sustainability.
Missions and Eschatology: Exploring the relationship and times, including the role of missions in fulfilling God's ultimate purposes for the world and the church.
Interfaith Dialogue and World Mission: Discussing approaches to engaging with people of other faiths in the context of mission, including principles of respect, dialogue, and witness.
Contemporary Issues in Missions: Examining current trends, debates, and paradigms in global missions, such as urbanization, migration, globalization, and postmodernism.

Overall, the course would aim to equip students with a robust theological framework for understanding and engaging in global mission work grounded in biblical truth, historical precedent, and contemporary relevance.