Historical Studies (Masters)

A study of the development of the Pentecostal and Charismatic movements in the 20th century. Cross-listed with PCS 528.

Examines the biblical, historical and theological development of the doctrine of initial evidence for the baptism in the Holy Spirit in the Pentecostal Movement. Cross-listed with PCS 546.

Covers the history of Jewish-Christian relations from the first century until the modern era. Unhappy seasons in the relationship are examined but the real contributions each religion has made to the other are also recognized. Emphasis is given to the influential teachings impacting Jewish-Christian relations over the centuries including those of Paul, Augustine and Luther on the one hand, and Rabbinism, the Talmud and the philosophy of "Jewish Peoplehood" on the other. Cross-listed with MHT 534.

Examines the growth and cultural contexts of Christianity from the time of the ancient church to 1453. This study includes surveying the diversity of Christian traditions East and West, the expansion of the faith from the Middle East to Africa, Asia and Europe, missiological and theological developments, political and social dynamics, the rise of Islam and the Muslim conquests and the immediate contexts for the upheavals of the Reformation in the 16th century. Cross-listed with MHT 556.

Examines the developments and growth of Christian movements from 1453 to the present. Key topics include the five Reformations of the Western church, expansion of Catholic and Protestant Missions into the Americas and Asia, the rise of Evangelicalism, the explosion of Protestant world missions, the birth and exponential growth of Pentecostal and charismatic movements. The globalization of Christianity and the challenges of dechristianization and post-modern thinking in the West. Cross-listed with MHT 557.

Examines the historical and theological developments of the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches, focusing on the theological, liturgical and missiological distinctives of these traditions and their relation to each other and to other Christians. Pentecostal perspectives on and relations with Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians will also be considered. Cross-listed with MHT 637.

A historical survey of the relationship of Christianity to philosophy, with particular focus on the interplay of faith and reason from the first to twenty-first century. The synergies, tensions and accommodations of philosophy and theology will be evaluated. The tragic loss of a Jewish world view beginning in the second century and the important Christian contributions to philosophy will be placed in their historical context. Biblical, empirical, rational, and mystical motifs will be assessed, and the fusions of Pentecostal thinkers will be assessed. Cross-listed with PHI 652, and THE 652.
 

A critical-historical evaluation of the impact of the Christian faith upon the major spheres of society. Christian contributions to the arts, education, intellectual inquiry, science, political thought and social justice will be delineated. The 2000-year narrative of Christian history is filed with progress and regress, but the overall portrait reveals a resilient faith able to influence positive change. Cross-listed with MCC 659 and PTH 659.