Details for Renewal Movements in Christianity

This subject will provide a basis for you to integrate practical church realities with your study of theology, Bible, ministry and church history. It explores what is perhaps the important revolution in the church of Jesus Christ - and possibly of world religion. The restoration of the Holy Spirit to a place of centrality in the life of the Church - while fraught with difficulties and too mobile to be 'final' in any particular setting - unleashed a form of global Christianity which has been among the fastest growing, the most politically and socially impacting, and most controversial of all global religions. It is essentially becoming the face of Christianity in both the two-thirds world, and in much of the first world. Any understanding of Christianity today has to take into account, as does any cultural understanding of the current global setting.

Awards offering Renewal Movements in Christianity

This unit is offered as a part of the following awards:

• Graduate Certificate in Arts
• Graduate Diploma in Arts
• Graduate Diploma in Leadership
• Master of Arts
• Master of Leadership

Unit Content

Outcomes

Upon completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the development of renewal movements in Christianity from their origins to the present day;
2. Critically analyse the contributions of key characters and events, and their interpretation in the contemporary historiography of these movements;
3. Identify social, cultural and theological issues influencing various renewal streams;
4. Demonstrate a deepening understanding of the nature of contemporary pentecostalism and its impact on global Christianity;
5. Exhibit an ability to research the historical record from primary and secondary sources and critically analyse the results;
6. Exhibit an ability to synthesise and integrate insights from the history of renewal movements to Christian life and ministry today.

Subject Content

1. Historiography and charismata in the early church
2. Charismata in the medieval era and the rise to modernity
3. 19th century and modern renewal movements
4. Pentecostalism in the early 20th century
5. Women in early Pentecostalism
6. Pentecostalism in mission
7. Healing ministries and the charismatic renewal
8. Contemporary renewals
9. Pentecostalism in Australia
10. Pentecostalism as a global movement
11. Pentecostalism and social justice
12. Moving in the Holy Spirit today

This course may be offered in the following formats

• Face to Face (onsite)
• Distance/E-learning (online)
• Intensive (One week: 7 hours per day for 5 days = 35 class hours + approx 85 hours out of class time for research, writing, exam preparation and execution, ancillary activities associated with completion of assigned tasks)
• Extensive (5 days spread over the semester. This allows for students to complete readings, reflection and assessment and prepare for in-class activities between classes. The hours are the same as for an intensive: 7 hours per day for 5 days = 35 class hours + approx 85 hours out of class time for research, writing, exam preparation and execution, ancillary activities associated with completion of assigned tasks)

Please consult your course prospectus or enquire about how and when this course will be offered next at Alphacrucis University College.

Assessment Methods

• Forum Postings (25%)
• Oral History Report (50%)
• Minor Essay (25%)

Prescribed Text

• Primary readings provided