Unit information: The Church as a Prophetic Community in 2011/12

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Unit name The Church as a Prophetic Community
Unit code THRSM0087
Credit points 20
Level of study M/7
Teaching block(s) Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director Dr. Finamore
Open unit status Not open
Pre-requisites

None
Co-requisites

None
School/department Department of Religion and Theology
Faculty Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

The unit examines Biblical prophecy in general and the Book of Revelation in particular and considers its reception, impact and interpretation. Attention is given to radical movements, their sociology, leadership and key ideas. Case studies of prophetic and dissident groups are considered. Final reflections focus on the calling of the church to be prophetic in the contemporary world.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On completion of the unit students should be able to:

  • identify and to demonstrate an understanding of the prophetic vocation of the church in the Bible, in church history and in the contemporary world.
  • offer a critical account of the different approaches to the interpretation of prophetic texts and to appraise their impact on the life and mission of the church.
  • demonstrate an historical and a sociological understanding of significant radical movements in the history of Christianity.
  • articulate significant theological insights into the prophetic calling of the church.

Teaching Information

The unit will be taught through preparatory reading, presentations to class and facilitated discussions on the material.

Assessment Information

Please state the methods used for formative and summative assessment, including essay word length, length and type of exams, projects, etc. The relative contributions of the different summative assessments to the overall unit mark should also be included, e.g. 3-hour written exam (60%), 2000 word essay (40%)

Reading and References

  • Bauckham, R., The Theology of the Book of Revelation, CUP, 1993
  • Bradstock, A and Rowland C., Radical Christian Writings; A Reader, Blackwell, 2002
  • Cohn, N., The Pursuit of the Millennium; Revolutionary Millenarians and Mystical Anarchists of the Middle Ages, Pimlico, 2004
  • Gill, R. (ed), Theology and Sociology; A Reader, Chapman, 1987
  • Howard-Brook W., and Gwyther A., Unveiling Empire; Reading Revelation Then and Now, Orbis, 1999
  • Kovacs, J. and Rowland C., Revelation through the Centuries, Blackwell, 2004

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