Compassion and justice are integral to who God is. These are reflected in God’s acts in history and God’s actions today, and are fundamental to God’s mission (missio Dei). What are the biblical and theological foundations for compassion and social justice? How has the Church historically related to the issue of social justice and how has it understood and demonstrated compassion? This course will trace the issue of compassion and social justice through scripture, church history, and missions, and examine different models used. The students will develop a comprehensive theological framework to understand the role and practice of compassion and social justice within the ministry of the church and mission agencies. Same as THEO 0603.

Designed to introduce the student to the rapidly changing Canadian urban realities and provide a context for reflection on the impact of these realities on the larger Canadian culture. Critical theological thinking and reflection with respect to the urban cultural context of the Christian Church will be the core for the course. Topics include urban sociology, biblical theology of the city, community analysis, economics, and ministry within urban communities. This course will assist the student to reflect on how local and global forces will significantly impact how we live and how the Church will function in coming years and provide a context to help the student develop a missional theology of the city. Same as PAST 0621.

Same as THEO 0623

Helps the students to develop greater capacity to research and to exegete their neighbourhoods. The student will learn to see spaces as “place”, locations which are significant because of the connections to the people who live there, while always asking where is God at work in these places and how do we join in to develop healthy, sustainable communities, nurturing the gifts and value of hospitality, particularly in the welcoming of the stranger. Same as PAST 0628.

Explores theology and practical ministry through a socio-economic lens. Students will seek to discover how one’s social location and economic status impact theological priorities, ethical positions, ecclesiological emphases, biblical hermenutics and spiritual formation. Amidst such self-reflection the course will present alternative approaches to theology and ministry that stem from the perspective of the poor and marginalized. Same as PAST 0655.

Examination of specific topics in missions.

Seeks to develop intercultural competencies for Christian leaders. Students will learn how to develop greater cultural self-awareness, knowledge and skills, enabling them to serve more effectively in intercultural settings in North America or around the world. Same as PAST 0658.

Preparing missional leaders requires careful examination of the ideologies and cultural milieu of contemporary society. Examines the main features of postmodern culture, the meaning of faithfulness to the gospel, the good news of God’s salvation and the nature and mission of the church. The church’s witness and service to the world is studied not as one of the functions of the church but as its essential nature. Missional leadership takes seriously the calling of all God’s people to minister in every sphere of life as faithful witnesses to the gospel of salvation.

Offers a comprehensive study of Islam: its main teachings and beliefs as well as its socio-political impact worldwide. A variety of topics such as the history of Christian-Muslim relationships and the conflicting political views on the relationship between religion and politics will be explored. Special emphases will be given to understanding theological differences between the Christian faith and Islam. Major theological themes such as human nature and sin, the person and work of Christ, the Trinity and the trustworthiness of the Bible will be studied and reflected upon theologically. Same as THEO 0785.

An examination of the causes and effects of poverty in Canada from a sociological and biblical perspective, with a focus on poverty as a culture. An attempt to demythologize the poor and develop understanding and relationships that dismantle our apprehension. Examines how the church serves the poor through its individual, community and prophetic ministries, as well as how the poor enrich the church. A variety of ministry models and issues are examined. Some classes are held off-campus.

Provides a comprehensive survey of the nature of the Christian mission worldwide with a focus on fulfilling the Great Commission. It covers the biblical, the historical, the cultural and the strategic perspectives of worldwide mission. Offered in Chinese.

Analyzes and evaluates 2,000 years of global history of mission, with special emphasis on major mission movements into China, beginning with Nestorian missionary endeavours. The course analyzes and explores the trends and issues of the development of the Chinese church, including the mainland and diaspora churches, in the past few decades, as a missionary sending base. Offered in Chinese.

Analyzes the thought systems and developmental trends of major world religions such as Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism, and also deals with folk religions and animism. It includes the formulation of dialogical and missiological strategies toward their followers. Offered in Chinese.

An examination of various topics in missions. May be repeated with different content in different years. Offered in Chinese.

Designed to introduce students to the discipline of cultural anthropology from a Christian perspective. Students will learn not only basic concepts such as the definition of culture, worldviews, social structure, kinship systems and religions, but also the application to cross-cultural missionary work. Offered in Chinese.

Based on the importance and implementation of Christian mission in the Chinese churches, this course deals with the foundation of how to develop missions programs. It includes the study of theology of missions, methods and strategies in world evangelization, and models for building a practical mission program in a local church. Offered in Chinese.

Provides an overview of both the Old and New Testaments, and explores the biblical and theological foundation of global mission, to help the student to grasp the nature and heart of God, and the identity and vocation of God’s people--God as the missional God, church as the missional community, and Christians as the missional people. Offered in Chinese.

The experience of Christianity has often been culturally disastrous for Indigenous peoples. Through the process of decolonization and indigenization this course will examine how Indigenous people live a biblically informed Christian faith in the context of Indigenous cultures. Perceptions from various disciplines will be sifted for insights to inform followers of the Jesus Way toward constructive action as change agents.

An intensive introduction to the fundamentals of Greek for the study of the New Testament. Intended for Master of Divinity students and other theological students who wish to move quickly into the study of the Bible in the original languages.

Continuation of NEWT 0321. Prerequisite: NEWT 0321.

A study of the New Testament focusing on its overarching vision of God’s mission in the world and how human beings are called to respond. Each book will be placed in its cultural and historical setting as we focus on its distinctive contribution to the New Testament. Along the way, students will be introduced to critical methods for studying the New Testament and will reflect on how we can integrate scholarly perspectives with a conviction that the New Testament is the Word of God. Recommended prerequisite: BIBL 0501.

Designed (with its continuation, NEWT 0524) to bring students with an elementary knowledge of Koine Greek to the point where they can comfortably use the Greek text of the New Testament as the basis for their regular study and teaching. Students will expand their working Greek vocabulary and deepen their grasp of Greek grammar, so thatthey can read the New Testament fluently with the help of a standard reading guide. These language skills will be developed in the process of actually interpreting extended excerpts from the New Testament, so that students become comfortable with using Greek in real-life contexts and expand their repertoire of interpretive approaches at the same time. Prerequisites: NEWT 0322, BIBL 0501.

Designed (following on NEWT 0523) to bring students with an elementary knowledge of Koine Greek to the point where they can comfortably use the Greek text of the New Testament as the basis for their regular study and teaching. Students will expand their working Greek vocabulary and deepen their grasp of Greek grammar, so that they can read the New Testament fluently with the help of a standard reading guide. These language skills will be developed in the process of actually interpreting extended excerpts from the New Testament, so that students become comfortable with using Greek in real-life contexts and expand their repertoire of interpretive approaches at the same time. In this course, less emphasis will be placed on review of morphology and more emphasis placed on reading longer Greek passages. Prerequisites: NEWT 0523, BIBL 0501.

A study of the Book of Acts with a focus on its theology, literary artistry and depiction of Christian origins. Prerequisite: BIBL 0501. Same as PENT 0525.