Ricky Williams D.Min.
November 11, 2014
Syllabus for Missions 311
History and Philosophy of Missions
Description
This course is a general course on the history and philosophy of missions from the first
century until the present. Major emphasis is given to the development of mission fields where
the BMAA and other denominations have worked in the past one hundred years. In the course a
missiological philosophy is derived from Biblical principles, examined in light of historical
practice, and applied in the current context of both culture and society.
Teaching objectives
Upon finishing this course the student:
1. Will be able to comment intelligently about persons, terms, and principle events of
importance in missions from the time of the New Testament until the present.
2. Will be able to identify the majority of the missiological methods used in the past.
3. Will be able to appreciate and desire to emulate the dedication seen in various
missionaries of the past.
4. Will recognize and distinguish between the principle paradigms in the history of
missions as described by David Bosch.
5. Will be able to develop and write his own Biblical philosophy of mission.
Required Texts
Allen, Roland. Missionary Methods: St. Paul's or Ours? Grand Rapids, Mich: Wm B. Eerdmans
Pub. Co, 1962.
Pierson, Paul Everett. The Dynamics of Christian Mission: History Through a Missiological
Perspective. Pasadena, Calif: William Carey International University Press, 2009. Ebook. ISBN: 978-0-86585-018-6
Tucker, Ruth. From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya: A Biographical History of Christian Missions. 2nd
ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2004. ePub Edition. ISBN: 978-0-310-83062-7
Optional Texts
Bosch, David Jacobus. 1991. Transforming mission: paradigm shifts in theology of mission.
Maryknoll, N.Y.: Orbis Books.
Neill, Stephen, and Owen Chadwick. 1990. A history of Christian missions. The Pelican History
of the Church. Harmondsworth [etc.]: Penguin.
Plueddemann, Jim. 2009. Leading across cultures: Effective ministry and mission in the global
Ricky Williams D.Min.
November 11, 2014
church. Downers Grove, Ill: IVP Academic.
Thomas, Norman E. Classic texts in mission and world Christianity. Maryknoll, N.Y.: Orbis
Books, 1995.
Work
Reading
1. All students will read Neill’s book making notes of all the missionary methods
mentioned. Said notes will mention the method, page (or in the case of electronic
copies, the location) in the book and a brief observation on the reader’s part. Also all
students will read Tucker’s book. The homework for Neill´s book will be turned in via
Moodle according to the schedule that follows.
Writing
1. Students on level 311 will prepare a biographical sketch of five pages on any of the
persons found in Tucker’s book or any other missionary approved by the teacher. The
sketch should include, but not be limited to, personal data of the individual, field of
service, accomplishments, difficulties on the field, and especially any particular method
the missionary used.
2. Students on level 311 will write a critical summary of one chapter of Allen’s book. .
The summary should be a minimum of 5 pages.
Class Participation
The first class period students will be assigned a chapter or chapters from Pierson´s book
to summarize and criticize in class. The summary part, excluding any rebuttal by the
other students, will be no longer than 15 minutes.
The oral presentation of your biographical sketch will also be scheduled. The written
sketch will be turned in via Moodle on the day indicated by Moodle. That date is
irrespective of the date of your presentation.
Exams
The final exam will be applied as scheduled by the school calendar.
Occasionally pop tests will be given over Tucker and Pierson readings.
Jan 20
Tucker-1; Pierson 1
Jan. 27
T-2; P-2, 3, 4
Feb. 3
T-3; P- 5, 6, 7
Ricky Williams D.Min.
November 11, 2014
Feb. 10
T-4; P- 8, 9, 10
Feb. 17
T-5; P- 11, 12,
Feb. 24
T-6; P- 13, 14
March 3
T-7; P- 15, 16; Missionary
Methods summary
March 10
Spring Break
March 17
T-8,9; P- 17, 18
March 24
T-10; P- 19, 20, 21 Written
Biographical sketch due.
March 31
T-11,12; P- 22, 23, 24
April 7
T- 13;P- 25, 26, 27
April 14
T- 14, 15; P- 28, 29, 30
April 21
P-31, 32, 33 Notes Neill due.
April 28
P- 34, 35
May 5
Catch up
May 12
Finals
Grading
Class Participation
25% (pop tests included here)
Notes on Neill
10%
Bio Sketch
25% (10 % oral, 15%)
Critical Summary
20%
Final Exam
20%
Total
100%
Incidentals
Work turned in will be graded on content and form. Good English grammar and syntax are
Ricky Williams D.Min.
November 11, 2014
expected. Punctuality for turning in assignments are the norm. There are no extra points added
for that but tardiness will incur penalties. Absences will be handled according to the BMATS
policy as listed in the catalogue. Since I will be teaching this course from Mexico, there always
is the possibility of technical problems. However, if class is suspended because of technical
difficulties, this will in no way affect your obligation to turn in homework or other requirements
for that day.
Also, please note that the Tucker book is an electronic publication, second edition. There is
considerable difference in content between the first, printed version and the second, electronic
version. My schedule is built on the second version.
There are several different forms for Allen´s book but as far as I know, whether electronic, old
or printed, they are all the same.