This course discusses death in general from a biblically informed perspective for the purpose of evangelical missional work in a world of darkness. Topics addressed include the evilness of death, the ways of life and death, the meaning of death for salvation, and the distinction between spiritual and physical death. Based on readings and lectures, students are assessed through online discussion, weekly writing or exercises, case studies, and practical projects.
Human beings have been tortured by death, either the fear of death or death as the inescapable end of life. Thus, death becomes one major cause of suffering in the human world and dealing with death becomes one crucial area of Christian ministry. Through this course, students are equipped with a more reasonable understanding of death and especially how God’s mission overcomes death.
Death is the biggest evil in the human world. As the light in the darkness, followers of Jesus are supposed to be capable of handling problems surrounding death in situations such as hospital, accident, disaster, war, etc. This course equips students with a better-prepared mind for missional work in challenging situations.
Discussions and lectures are based on biblical texts, especially the continuity and discontinuity between the Old Testament regarding the contrast between life and death.
This course considers God’s mission in this world in two testaments, focusing on God’s victory over death through His only son and God’s preparation for this victory.
Emphasize contexts of death, including various causes of death, to help students to understand how and why death is evil and how such evil can be overcome.
Cultural differences are investigated synchronically and diachronically to explain the rationale and meaning of God’s victory over death.
The course addresses specific issues about death such as euthanasia, end-of-life care, suicide, and murder to deepen students’ understanding of the evilness of death and God’s solution to the human plight.
Students are encouraged and equipped to encounter death with love, wisdom, and care and to live out a faith in God’s power of resurrection in their daily lives and during their future missional works.
