It has been encouraging to see the church waking up to the environmental issues the world faces and seeing it’s responsibility to play a part. It has also been frustrating to see how for some Christians it is still something that doesn’t concern them – they have their ticket for heaven and the world can go to hell! I expressed concern that it did not have sufficient focus at Lausanne but see it coming up in a number of different settings now, including a multi-faith gathering in Nairobi. It is quite remarkable that Redcliffe has now had an MA module on this issue since 2003, originally conceived by Rev Dr Simon Steer, my predecessor, and now ably led by Redcliffe Faculty member, Andy Kingston-Smith and delivered in partnership with the John Ray Initiative!
MA4: The Greening of Mission
This module examines the interface between environmental concerns and contemporary Christian mission. It charts the development of an awareness of environmental issues within the worldwide Christian community over recent decades both in terms of academic theology and in mission praxis. The module will critically examine several examples of contemporary mission in which environmental management and conservation are core activities.
This module will examine:
1. A brief historical overview of the relationship between Christian mission and environmental concerns. A broad brush treatment of the state of the global environment today and the various causative factors at work, will also be provided.
2. A discussion of key biblical and theological texts that have helped to shape Christian thinking about, and participation in, environmental concerns. During this section of the module, particular attention will be given to theological perspectives from the two-thirds world and the linkages between environmental degradation and poverty.
3. The module will then utilise a number of case studies of contemporary mission praxis in which environmental activity (e.g. environmental management, conservation, education and advocacy) is central.
On successful completion of the module students should be able to demonstrate:
1. Advanced knowledge of key texts and writers in the field.
2. Historical understanding of the interface between Christian mission and environmental issues.
3. Awareness of the global nature of environmental degradation and the suitability of the global Christian community as a vehicle of environmental
action and advocacy.
4. Awareness of the main principles and debates within the development of ecotheology.
5. Ability to relate this discourse to the praxis of contemporary mission.
6. Developed interactive and group skills.
7. Skills of synthesis, creativity and clarity in presenting an academic argument in line with scholarly conventions and in the context of a student-led seminar.
Assignment: Two 4500 word essays (50% each).
More information on the MA programme here
Posted on March 29, 2011
0