CHST - Church History

This course surveys the development of Christianity around the world from its inception to the present day, with special attention to the rise of Christianity in the Global South.

This course surveys the global mission of Christianity from the day of Pentecost to the present day. Special attention will be given to key figures and factors contributing to translation and transmission of the faith in particular geographical locations at pivotal historical moments; missionary methods and the historical development of international missionary cooperation and ecumenism; and assessing the present state of Christian mission in its global context.

A survey of significant events and ideas in American religion from Colonial times to the present. Particular attention will be given to the development of denominationalism, revivalism, and fundamentalism in the context of cultural and theological trends. (Historical/Doctrinal)

This course will explore the history and theology of spiritual formation. The student will examine a variety of historical spiritual traditions, analyzing their unique contribution to spiritual formation and evaluating their strengths and weakness. Special attention will be paid to utilizing these traditions in both personal and communal spiritual formation. Prerequisite: CHST-500

A study of the history of The Wesleyan Church and its current polity, with the past providing a basis of discussion for the future direction of the church. Students will explore the foundational work of John and Charles Wesley and the Methodist movement, along with the various abolitionist and revivalist streams that flowed into the denomination, with the history of a local Wesleyan church as a case study. Students will also explore the nature, meaning, and value of The Discipline, with particular attention on the constitution of The Wesleyan Church and its impact on local churches today.

This course surveys the progress and development of Christianity around the world from its inception to the present day, with special attention to the rise and anticipated dominance of two-thirds world Christianity in the southern hemisphere.

This course explores the history of Methodism in Britain and America, attending both to the life and ministry of John and Charles Wesley and other important people, places, events, and ideas that shaped early British and American Methodism. Students will examine how beliefs and practices shaped Methodism in different contexts and evaluate their current practices in light of early Methodist history.

This course surveys the progress and development of Christianity around the world from its inception to the present day, with special attention to the rise and anticipated dominance of two-thirds world Christianity in the southern hemisphere.

This course explores the role of Social Justice in the history and theology of the Wesleyan tradition both in Britain and the United States. How did Christians engage in social issues and movements? What reasons did they give for being involved or for not being involved. Students will develop skills necessary to evaluate previous social engagement and contextualize it to their current ministry setting.

This course investigates the historical and theological foundations of Christian worship, from the Bible to the present day. Students will evaluate historical models of Christian worship and sacramental practice, and appropriate such practices for contemporary ministry contexts, demonstrating historical consciousness and appreciation for the diversity of Christian worship.

This course explores the story of the Christian faith, with critical appreciation of its various movements and contextual models of Christian leadership. Students will examine the various political, geographic, and cultural factors of Christian history to develop a posture to examine the present moment of this ongoing story for their own context and missional leadership.

This course investigates the historical and theological foundations of Christian worship, from the Bible to the present day. Students will evaluate historical models of Christian worship and sacramental practice, and appropriate such practices for contemporary ministry contexts, demonstrating historical consciousness and appreciation for the diversity of Christian worship.

This course explores the story of the Christian faith, with critical appreciation of its various movements and contextual models of Christian leadership. Students will examine the various political, geographic, and cultural factors of Christian history to develop a posture to examine the present moment of this ongoing story for their own context and missional leadership.

This course is a doctoral-level examination of Christian history as a basis for developing contextualized and historicallyinformed philosophies of ministry. Students will evaluate how the Church throughout history has interacted with people, communities, and societies for their mutual transformation. Special attention will be given to the unique theology, practice, and impact of Wesleyan-Methodist history as an example of how students might appropriately draw upon the histories of their own ecclesial traditions to inform their ministry practice.