Unit information: The Church as a Prophetic and Pilgrim Community (Trinity & Baptist College) in 2013/14

Unit name	The Church as a Prophetic and Pilgrim Community (Trinity & Baptist College)
Unit code	THRSM0044
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	C22005 Church, Authority & Ministry in Christian Traditions. Students other than from Trinity/Baptist will be expected to have completed relevant first degree work in theology.
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Department of Religion and Theology
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

The module involves an examination of the early church as a pilgrim people. This is done largely through a study of the Book of Revelation. Some attention is given to the sociology of radical groups, their identity and leadership. Selected prophetic and dissident movements from the early church to the present day are considered. Case studies are undertaken of contemporary radical groups before final reflections on the calling of the church to speak and act prophetically today.

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

Formative assessment will be through participation, with tutor feedback, in classroom discussions of preparatory reading and of issues raised in the course of presentations.

Summative assessment will be through one essay of 6,000 words.

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