Join Us For the Journey That Spans the Centuries!

RS-117 The Emergence of Church: 1st & 21st Centuries

Professor: Scott E. McClelland, Ph.D.
Course Meets TH 1:00PM-4:00PM (and some field trips/evenings)
Office Hours: By appointment
Cell Phone: (415) 734-8761; FAX: (415) 931-0212
E- Mail: Smcclelland@westmont.edu

DESCRIPTION:
Theologian/futurist Leonard Sweet notes that the 21st Century has more in common with the 1st Century than any other time in-between. This observation is particularly relevant as we assess the growth and development of “The Emerging Church” in the Book of Acts (and other NT literature) and “The Emergent Church” of our day. An overview of New Testament Theology will be our focus as it informs the formation of the early church as well as the theology informing our contemporary churches seeking to be “Emergent” in a post-Christian environment such as San Francisco. Field Trips and guest speakers will focus on illustrative “Emergent Church” communities in the San Francisco Bay Area .

Students who read the required material, interact in class discussion, and complete the assignments should (1) understand the basic nature and structure of the early church as described in the NT; (2) have a firm grasp on relevant NT passages related to church development in their original contexts; (3) appreciate the development and diversity of the early and contemporary post-Christian church, and; (4) be able to engage more competently and sympathetically in local and ecumenical discussions of the church today.

REQUIRED READING:
Butler-Bass, Diana. Christianity for the Rest of Us.
Patzia, A. The Emergence of the Church: Context, Growth, Leadership, Worship.
Scandrette, Mark. Soul Graffiti: Living in the Way of Jesus.
Sweet, Leonard (ed.) The Church in Emerging Culture: Five Perspectives.
Wright, N.T. The Challenge of Jesus: Rediscovering Who Jesus Was and Is.

FOCUSED READING: (choose one specialized topic for team presentation)
East- West
Jenkins, Philip. The Next Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity.
Hate the Sin, Love the Sinner?
Holben, L.R. What Christians Think About Homosexuality
Most Segregated Hour
West, Cornel. Race Matters.
Authentic Worship
Best, Harold O. Unceasing Worship: Biblical Perspective on Worship and the Arts.

Course Requirements: Book Synopses, Term Paper, Group Presentation.