Harvest Bible College - History & Society

HISTORY & SOCIETY UNITS

Archaeology of Biblical Lands

This unit will provide a basic introduction to the study of archaeology and investigate archaeological discoveries to enhance the students understanding of the historical and sociological context of the Bible and its peoples. It will increase understanding of the important artefacts and sites of the Near East. This unit involves an international field trip to sites of archaeological significance in the ancient near east (Israel, Jordan and Egypt), which presents the reality of sites and artefacts of biblical archaeology in a very real and tangible way.

Cultural Anthropology in Ministry Perspective

This unit provides an introduction to the principles of cultural anthropology, their relevance in a multicultural world, and the application of anthropological perspectives to the task of communicating the Gospel.  These insights will build a better understanding of another society’s belief, value and behaviour systems, and develop in the student, a cross-cultural perspective on ministry both in an Australian multi-cultural environment and globally.

Encountering World Religions and Belief Systems

Previously: World Religions/World Religions and Cults

This unit addresses Christian approaches to other belief systems, introducing students to details of the origins, development and dynamics of particularly dominant non-Christian faiths.  Comparisons between key beliefs and practices of non-Christian and Christian faiths are discussed, as well as current issues and interfaith relationships.  Diverse belief systems and worldviews are then considered, alongside strategies for influential Christian interaction with followers of non-Christian faiths.

History of the Expansion of the Earliest Church

Involving an international field trip to archaeological and other historical sites in Greece, Turkey and Rome, this unit follows the basic chronology and key features of the expansion of the earliest church, with its historical issues related to the New Testament.  An understanding of the geographic, historic and cultural contexts of the New Testament will be brought to life as students travel to some of the vivid locations of the earliest church.

Introduction to Church History

This unit features a study of history, thought, and literature of the Christian Church from the Apostolic Age through to the present day, and features a special emphasis on the Reformation.  This study will include an examination of cultural contexts, personalities, controversies, and periods of persecution.

Introduction to Intercultural Ministry

This unit grounds intercultural ministry in biblical, historical, cultural and strategic perspective.  It discusses key contemporary features of the global context of mission, recognising the unavoidable requirement that ‘World Christians’ be culturally aware for the effective communication of the Christian faith.  Biblical and practical issues in world mission will be explored for the sake of equipping of cross-cultural harvesters.

Intercultural Communication and Strategies in Ministry

Replaces: Intercultural Communication as well as Strategies in Intercultural Ministry

This unit articulates the importance of communication and strategy in intercultural ministry. This involves an understanding of the science of communication and its application to the communication of the Christian message in a cross-cultural context. As they compare practical solutions for effective communication with people of other nations, students will be encouraged and challenged to strategise relevant and effective mission programs from a local church perspective.

Israel and the Middle East

This unit offers an introduction to the study of the Middle East in terms of history, current events, and Christian witness and destiny. The focus of this unit is on historical, cultural and religious insights into the modern Middle East and their significance for the Christian Church.

Life of Christ

This unit includes an overview of the life of Christ as recounted in the New Testament and other ancient texts. The question of the “Jewishness of Jesus,” within his cultural context in first century Judaism is also discussed. Issues raised by critical scholarship regarding the life of Christ and the gospel accounts are addressed, as is the history of scholarship on the “quest for the historical Jesus.” A survey of extra-biblical historical references to Jesus will be conducted. The place of biblical archaeology in the life of Christ will also be examined.

Pentecostal History

With an emphasis on the major developments in the history of Pentecostalism, this unit reflects upon lessons from Pentecostal History and their significance for ministry today.  The primary focus will be on the formation and spread of the Pentecostal movement from the various locations around the world, and the effect of Pentecostals on World Missions.  Attention will also be given to the opportunities and problems of those associated with the Pentecostal church in their interaction with the wider church and the society around them, including aspects specific to Australia’s Pentecostal movement.

Supervised Reading – History or Society

This reading unit is intended extend the student’s understanding of a specialised field within History or Society,  that is not catered for in any existing unit or regularly scheduled classes.