MT523/623: The Holy Spirit and Mission in Luke-Acts (4 units)

Robert L. Gallagher, Visiting Assistant Professor of Theology of Mission
Winter 2006 Pasadena

DESCRIPTION:

The course combines an exercise in basic New Testament exegesis with an inductive discovery by the student of the broad perspective of Luke's pneumatological missiology as described in Luke-Acts. Pneumatological, ecclesiological, missiological, and ministry-in-context issues will be highlighted.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: An understanding of:

• The background issues in the study of Luke-Acts such as author, audience, date, genre, structure and purpose.
• How to use the skills and tools of exegetical and hermeneutical interpretation.
• The person and work of the Holy Spirit and mission in Luke-Acts.
• Key missio-theological themes in the Book of Acts.

COURSE FORMAT:

Class meets as a one-week intensive. The class will examine together various passages in Luke-Acts in relation to pneumatological missiology. Special attention will be given to Luke's insights related to the Holy Spirit and mission, aided by reading and reviewing four required textbooks. The student will do an exegesis of a passage, as well as write a thematic paper concerning pneumatological missiology in the student's context.

REQUIRED READING:

Dollar, Harold. St. Luke’s Missiology: A Cross-Cultural Challenge. Pasadena: William Carey Library, 1996.
Gallagher, Robert L. Mission in Acts Course Notes. Wheaton: Wheaton College Graduate School, 2002.
Gallagher, Robert L. and Paul Hertig, eds. Mission in Acts. Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 2004.
Packer, J. I. Keep in Step with the Spirit. New Jersey: Fleming H. Revell, 1984.
Stronstad, Roger. The Charismatic Theology of St. Luke. Peabody: Hendrickson, 1984.
Tannehill, Robert C. The Narrative Unity of Luke-Acts. Vols. 1 & 2. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1986.

ASSIGNMENTS:

• Read the Mission in Acts Course Notes.
• Write four 650-750 word book reviews of the required textbooks: Dollar, Gallagher & Hertig, Packer and Stronstad.
• Exegete a passage in Luke-Acts (minimum 2,000 words) focusing on the missiological implications of the pericope using Robert Tannehill’s commentaries for support.
• Research a thematic paper (minimum 3,750 words) from Luke-Acts developing a missiological motif related to pneumatology that is of particular importance in the student's context. The paper will seek to develop the way in which a Lukan pneumatological missiology would approach a particular contextual issue.
NOTE: Class attendance is required. Assignments are to be handed in as per class syllabus. Grades are given only for completed work. Due to the nature of the course, partial work is not accepted.

PREREQUISITES: No audits permitted.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective.

FINAL EXAM: None.

Date Last Edited: November 7, 2005