This course offers a comprehensive survey of Western civilizations from antiquity to the postmodern era, tracing the development of ancient Western traditions, the rise of Christendom, and their enduring global impact. Major themes include pre-Christian Greco-Roman societies, the medieval period, the Reformation, the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, and contemporary postmodern realities. The course examines the cultural, religious, and intellectual commonalities that have shaped Western identity amidst diverse historical contexts, while exploring the profound influence of Western civilizations on global cultures and the effects of cross-cultural interactions on Western development. Central to the course is an emphasis on participating 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, methods, and systems of thought—such as historical-critical analysis, cultural hermeneutics, and missional theology—to critically reflect on Western civilizations and their relevance to contemporary Christian mission.
Students will develop the ability to assess global civilizations through the lens of Western contributions, fostering a deeper understanding of historical, cultural, and intellectual 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 specific calling in God’s mission. By engaging with Western 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 Western civilization’s significant contributions to global culture and negative impacts of colonialism, while aligning with the missio Dei—God’s mission to redeem and restore all creation. By exploring Western 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 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 Western civilizations that unite and uplift humanity as well as those that divide and damage 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 Western 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 Western 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 Western 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 Western 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 Western civilizations, students are transformed through experiential learning, gaining practical skills to participate in God’s mission and contribute to the renewal of communities worldwide.
