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THMN45230: Mission and Ministry in the Johannine Literature

It is possible that changes to modules or programmes might need to be made during the academic year, in response to the impact of Covid-19 and/or any further changes in public health advice.

Type Open
Level 4
Credits 30
Availability Not available in 2024/2025
Module Cap None.
Location Durham
Department Theology, Ministry and Mission

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combinations of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To provide a systematic and critical study of the Johannine Literature with specific focus on the contemporary significance of the vision these documents present for leadership, ministry, and mission in the life of the church.

Content

  • A general introduction to the genre, origins, theological emphases, purpose, and stylistic features of the Johannine Literature.
  • The influence of John and the Epistles upon contemporary issues in leadership, mission, and ministry.
  • The hypothetical reconstructions of the historical Johannine community.
  • Questions of missional vision and strategy.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

  • A systematic range and depth of knowledge of the Johannine Literature with the tradition of interpretation within the Christian church including contemporary scholarship which will act as a foundation for teaching and further study.
  • A critical understanding of models of leadership, mission, and ministry demonstrated in John and in the Epistles both in respect of their historical and social contexts and of their place within the Christian tradition.
  • A comprehensive understanding of hermeneutical questions involved in seeking to apply lessons from the Johannine Literature to the contemporary church, thus integrating theology with the practice of ministry.

Subject-specific Skills:

  • Upon successful completion of the module students should be able to:
  • Reflect on mission and ministry in complex and unpredictable contexts in a way that demonstrates critical awareness of the biblical (and specifically Johannine) tradition.
  • Plan for the development of leadership, mission, and ministry in complex and unpredictable contexts.
  • Critically engage with the hermeneutical questions necessary in the application of scripture to the contemporary church.

Key Skills:

  • Upon successful completion of the module students should have:
  • Developed their capacity to communicate complex ideas and research findings clearly and effectively both orally and in written format.
  • Developed research based skills and deployed effective autonomous study time and personal management skills.
  • Demonstrated their ability as reflective practitioners.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Lectures provide content, a conceptual framework and a survey of approaches within Old Testament studies and hermeneutics that enable students to locate their learning in a wider context, to make connections with other disciplines, and to evaluate and apply their learning to different contexts.
  • Seminars offer students an opportunity to present, evaluate and apply their knowledge to specific reading contexts, and to engage with teaching staff and peers in debate and reflection.
  • Guided reading in conjunction with lectures and seminars encourages independent learning and underpins the knowledge and understanding gained in lectures and seminars.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
Lectures15Daily (in block format)1.5 hours22.5 
Seminars10Daily.75 hours7.5 
Preparation & Reading - weekly100 
Independent work on assessments170 
Total300 

Summative Assessment

Component: EssayComponent Weighting: 100%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Exegetical essay5000 words100

Formative Assessment

Seminar Presentation on Assigned Scriptural Text

More information

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