This course offers a comprehensive survey of Eastern civilizations, exploring the socio-historical trajectories of Ancient Chinese, Japanese, and Indian civilizations, the rise and spread of Buddhism, Medieval Asia, and modern transformations. Major themes include the philosophical and cultural contributions of the Zhou and Han dynasties, the emergence of Shinto and samurai culture in Japan, the Maurya and Gupta empires in India, the influence of Buddhism across Asia, the Mongol Empire, and the impact of modernization and globalization on Eastern societies. The course highlights the shared cultural and philosophical underpinnings across these diverse civilizations while examining their interactions with global cultures and their lasting influence. Central to the course is participation in the missio Dei (the mission of God), equipping students to engage with God’s redemptive purposes in diverse contexts through a missional lens. Students will utilize tools such as historical-critical analysis, cultural hermeneutics, and missional theology to critically reflect on Eastern civilizations and their relevance to contemporary Christian mission.
Students will develop the ability to evaluate global civilizations through the lens of Eastern contributions, gaining a deeper understanding of historical, cultural, and philosophical dynamics. The course equips Christ-centered students with historical-cultural enrichment skills and missional tools, guided by the Holy Spirit, to discern and fulfill their unique calling in God’s mission. By engaging with Eastern civilizations, students will cultivate analytical and intercultural competencies, enabling them to participate effectively in the missio Dei by promoting unity, reconciliation, and justice across diverse global contexts.
This course fulfills the mandate to integrate awareness of Eastern civilizations’ profound contributions to global culture, philosophy, and history while aligning with the missio Dei—God’s mission to redeem and restore all creation. By exploring Eastern civilizations through a missional perspective, the course empowers students to participate in God’s transformative work, fostering intercultural understanding, dismantling stereotypes, and promoting a holistic vision of God’s kingdom that embraces all nations and peoples.
Rooted in the biblical mandate to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19), this course reflects the belief that evangelistic, interracial, and intercultural understanding is essential for fulfilling God’s mission. Drawing from Acts and the epistles, the course validates and activates students called to missional outreach, equipping them with tools to engage diverse Eastern cultures in alignment with God’s redemptive purposes.
Christian education, as exemplified in this course, is inherently evangelistic and seeks to uplift, inform, and unify humanity under God’s mission. Students learn to identify and examine elements of Eastern civilizations that unite and uplift humanity, applying missional frameworks to engage in God’s redemptive work. The course emphasizes participation in the missio Dei by equipping students to share the gospel and foster reconciliation in diverse cultural contexts.
Students learn to assess global history and culture within the Eastern context, gaining tools such as historical-critical analysis, cultural hermeneutics, and contextual theology. These tools enable Christ-centered students to understand and clarify their calling within God’s mission. The course challenges the notion that “one experience fits all,” encouraging students to apply context-specific insights to their missional practice.
The course fosters cultural awareness, intercultural skills, and cross-cultural church fellowship, enabling students to engage with diverse communities in alignment with the missio Dei. Through studying Eastern civilizations, students develop competencies in intercultural communication, cultural sensitivity, and collaborative ministry, preparing them to build bridges across cultures in their missional work.
The course integrates the study of history and culture with practical tools, methods, and systems of thought, including:
Historical-Critical Analysis: Evaluating primary and secondary sources to understand the socio-historical context of Eastern civilizations.
Cultural Hermeneutics: Interpreting cultural practices and traditions through a biblical and missional lens to discern their relevance to God’s mission.
Missional Theology: Applying theological frameworks to engage with Eastern civilizations in ways that promote justice, reconciliation, and kingdom values.
These tools enable students to develop critical and spiritual reflection skills for effective missional engagement.
Students develop and adapt missional tools and systems—such as contextual analysis, intercultural dialogue, and missional strategies—for the specific contexts in which they serve. By engaging with Eastern civilizations, students are transformed through experiential learning, gaining practical skills to participate in God’s mission and contribute to the renewal of communities worldwide.
