Pre-requisites

None.

Co-requisites

None.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, the student will be able to:

• Will be able to describe the impact of history, culture, socio-political and economic status, and worldview upon the theology and biblical hermeneutics of Christians and their faith communities

• Critique prevalent theologies and principles of biblical interpretation in how they address issues of poverty and injustice.

• Identify the key elements required for a theology of integral mission.

• Articulate a set of hermeneutical principles able to be used for the development of a theology of mission and development.

• Construct a theology of mission and development relevant to their vocational setting and faith community.

Unit Description

Theology has been defined as ‘faith seeking understanding’: understanding what we believe, and how we live in the light of what we believe. Our theology shapes how we perceive our contexts, but our contexts also shape our theology. Similarly, how we use the Bible – as a key resource for Christian theology – both shapes how we perceive our contexts and is shaped by our context.

The primary purpose of this unit is to examine the need and challenge of doing theology in the particular contexts of poverty and injustice. After a review of fundamental principles of theology, attention will be given to the use of the Bible in shaping emerging theologies in the global South – especially “reading the Bible from underneath” in contexts of poverty, violence and oppression. The relevance of these theologies for Christian faith-based development and advocacy practitioners working among the poor and marginalised, and their agencies and organisations, will be examined and critiqued, with a view to learners being able to propose a relevant theology for their context. Particular attention will be given to the challenges and opportunities of cross-faith and multi-faith dialogue.

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Unit offerings

Face to face: (Every 3rd Year, Semester 2)
Face to face: (Every 3rd Year, Semester 2)

Please note

The Unit Offerings listed above are a guide only and the timetable for any year is the final authority. The College may vary offerings based on demand, regulatory requirements, continual improvement processes or other conditions.

This unit may be available in different modes of delivery i.e. online and face-to-face as listed above. The unit content will not differ between these modes of delivery. There will possibly be a difference in the schedule and/or the prescribed assessment tasks, however both will cover and assess the same content.