M 202 Elec, “Evangelism”
Eden Theological Seminary
Fall Semester 2020, Thursday 6:30-8:00 PM
Instructor: Dr. Paul Stroble
Home phone: 314-740-5452
E-mail: pstroble@yahoo.com (also on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
As you know, the English-language word gospel means “good news” and derives from the Greek word εὐαγγέλιον. Evangelism is the sharing of the good news of Christ.
But how do we “do” evangelism? How do we share the good news? One way is perhaps stereotypical: approaching another person and asking them if they know about Jesus Christ (perhaps adding “your personal savior”). Another way is also well known: conducting evangelistic campaigns in the style of Billy Graham and, in a previous generation, Billy Sunday. Some churches have special revivals for the sake of renewal and evangelism. There are other examples, including “TV evangelists.”
Though we will not neglect issues of individual and mass evangelism, we will in this course look especially at evangelism within a congregational context. What are ways to articulate the good news? What are some church traditions (ancient and modern) of disseminating the good news? How do we “do” and think about evangelism in our postmodern, religiously diverse society? What are the intended results of evangelism (“saving souls,” increasing church membership and giving, etc.)? How do we relate evangelism to teaching and discipleship (combining doctrines of justification and sanctification)? How does evangelism relate to areas of church ministry like stewardship, finances, the building(s), missions, social justice, and others?
In this course, we’ll work together to gain answers and perspectives to these and other related topics, using a variety of perspectives reflected in our readings and a few guest speakers.
COURSE GOALS, with PROGRAM GOALS:
1. Develop an understanding of biblical/theological views on evangelism. (Theological
Imagination)
2. Develop an understanding of different paradigms of evangelism (Theological Imagination)
3. Consider the content of the Christian message that is communicated in personal and
congregational evangelism and that is linked to kinds of witness like social justice, community
service, etc. (Spiritual Formation, Social Transformation)
4. Develop personal models of possible evangelism programs that can be used in parish and
church-related leadership (Spiritual Formation, Theological Imagination, Social Transformation
TEXTBOOKS:
Walter Brueggemann, Biblical Perspectives on Evangelism: Living in a Three-Storied Universe.
978-0-687-41233-1 Abingdon
Elaine A. Robinson, Godbearing: Evangelism Reconceived. 978-0-8298-1798-5 Pilgrim Press
N. T. Wright, Simply Good News. 978-0-06-233435-0 Harper One
Bryan Stone, Evangelism after Christendom. 978-1-58743-194-4 Brazos
Elaine Heath, The Mystic Way of Evangelism. 978-0-8010-3325-4 Baker Academic
Deborah Jian Lee, Rescuing Jesus. 978-0-8070-7507-4 Beacon Press
COURSE OUTLINE:
* In this course, we’ll look at evangelism through authors of different perspectives, and we’ll gain biblical and theological perspectives on the general meaning of evangelism. We’ll work together in class to make these connections. We’ll honor differences, uphold one another in our journey of learning, and speak to one another (and to me) with agape and respect.
* Aspects of the course regarding meeting times, Broadspace, and other details will be announced in early August.
* Aspects of the course regarding meeting times, Broadspace, and other details will be announced in early August.
* This syllabus is subject to change and modification at the discretion of the professor in consultation
with the class.
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COURSE SCHEDULE
September 3 Introduction, Initial Brainstorming
September 10 The Practice of Evangelism
Read: Stone, chapter 1, Robinson, chapter 1-2
Begin reading the Brueggemann book for the Sept. 24 assignment
You might also begin reading the Lee book for the Oct. 23, as the book is
longer.
September 17 The Story of the People of God
Read: Stone, chapters 2-3, Wright, chapters 1-3
September 24 The Story of the People of God, continued
Read: Stone, chapter 4, Wright, chapters 6-8
For this week, have the Brueggemann book read. Write a two-page review
of the book, which you will turn in, and which will be the basis of our
discussions this evening.
ALSO begin (or continue) reading the Lee book, which we will discuss on
October 22
October 22
October 1 Rival Narratives, Subverted Evangelism
Read: Stone chapter 5, Robinson, chapter 2 again
October 8 Modernity and Pluralism
Read: Stone, chapter 6, Robinson, chapter 3
October 15 No class, Reading Week
October 22 Evangelism and Ecclesia
Read: Stone, chapter 7
October 29 Evangelism as a Practice of the Spirit
Read: Stone, chapter 8, Robinson, chapter 4-5
For this week, have the Lee book read. Write a two-page
review of the book, which you will turn in, and which will be the
basis of our discussions this evening.
Also, begin the Heath book, which we’ll discuss on December 3
November 5 Context and Conversion
Read: Stone, chapter 9
November 12 Evangelism as a Virtuous Practice
Read: Stone, chapter 10,
November 19 Social Justice and Evangelism
Read: Robinson, ch. 4, Oden, ch. 4
November 26 No class
December 3 Methods and Strategies
Read: Oden, ch. 3, and other readings TBA
For this week, have the Heath book read. Write a two-page
review of the book, which you will turn in, and which will be the
basis of our discussions this evening.
December 10 Loose Ends, Wrap Up
Students must complete all necessary course requirements, in order to receive a passing grade for the course.
Overall Grading
Evaluation:
Activities, discussion, participation, etc. 50 points
Two book reviews 50 points each
Weekly Assignments 130 total points
Paper 100 points
Criteria for Evaluating
An “A” is based on a percentage of 93-100, with A- based on a 91-92 percentage. Percentages can be tabulated from points assigned.
A “B” is based on a percentage of 83-90, and a B- 81-82.
A “C” is based on a percentage of 73-80, with a C- 71-72.
A “D” is based on a 63-70 percentage, with a D- in the 61-62 range.
An “F” is based on percentages under 60.
Attendance and Discussion
Attendance is important if you’re to get the most from the course and also make your contributions to the group’s efforts. If you have to be absent, contact me about your situation and I will help you catch up. As a courtesy to your classmates, you should avoid coming late to class or leaving early, unless you have some unavoidable situation that you tell me about.
Paper
You’ll write one 8-12 page research paper on (1) your theology of evangelism, (2) a noted figure in the history of evangelism, (3) a paper outlining your strategy of an evangelism program for the (actual or hypothetical) congregation that you lead, (4) a combination of theological reflection and practical application.
Criteria for Papers
A papers show an excellent grasp of the subject; evidence of excellent engagement with the subject matter; evidence of both intellectual and emotional engagement with the subject matter (what you thought and how you felt); vivid examples and details; consistent use of style and formatting.
B papers come close to the above; they’re focused and show a good grasp of the subject but lack certain examples and specific, and/or a less active engagement with the subject; less consistent use of style. Paper is organized, but not as well as an A essay.
C papers display only a tentative, superficial grasp of the subject; unfocused; common spelling, punctuation, and language errors; weak analysis; shows evidence of eleventh-hour preparation and completion; mediocre use of style.
D papers show very little grasp of subject; frequent language, punctuation, and organizational and style problems.
F papers don’t meet above requirements or are non-existent.
As with the essay answers on your exams, I’ll look for the following things on your papers. I’ll assign points according to your performance on each and then I’ll average the points.
1. Well-stated arguments and organization
2. Use of illustrative examples in your discussion
3. Grammar, formatting and style, and punctuation
4. Overall writing style (including confidence and clarity of expression)
5. Factual accuracy
Incompletes
I won’t grant an incomplete for the course except for a serious emergency cleared with me as soon as you can talk to me about it.
Academic Dishonesty
Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. The following guidelines are quoted from http://www.library.webster.edu/luhr_library/citation_guides.html
“Plagiarism
“Students should be familiar with the section entitled “Academic Honor Code and Disciplinary Policy” in the Eden Theological Seminary Student Handbook, from which the following paragraphs are excerpted:
“It is expected that students will give proper acknowledgment when using sources in written or oral projects. The direct quotation or paraphrase of persons’ speech, or material in articles, books etc., as well as the use of the ideas of others (as these have been spoken or written) in one’s work needs to be acknowledged appropriately (i.e., in footnotes, endnotes, or other ways that the class instructor may indicate as acceptable.)
“The failure to properly acknowledge the quotations, paraphrases or the ideas of others, or in any way to present the ideas or materials from sources as one’s own is considered plagiarism, and is unacceptable academic behavior at Eden Seminary.
“Explanations and examples of plagiarism can be found in Joseph Gibaldi’s MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers,available in the Eden Seminary Library (REF LB2369.G53 2003) and in the Plagiarism Prevention Guide from Delta State University.”
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