Christian Worldview
Alphacrucis College 2015
Associated Higher
Education Awards
Duration Level Pre-Requisites Core/Elective
Bachelor of Business
Associate Degree in
Ministry; Bachelor of
Ministry
Bachelor of Theology
One
semester Introductory None Core Subject
Subject Coordinator Andrew Youd ([email protected])
(02) 8893 9000 (Monday-Thursday, 9:00am-5:00pm)
Tutor/marker Tutor/marker will be assigned on moodle. Please make all
general enquiries to your tutor.
Subject Weighting/Student Workload
Student Workload
No. timetabled hours
per week*
No. personal study
hours per week**
Total workload hours
per week***
3 7 10
Subject credit points
Example: 10 credit points
Total course credit points
Example: 320 credit points
10 240Christian Worldview
Alphacrucis College 2015
* Total time spent per week at lectures, tutorials, clinical and other placements etc.
** Total time students are expected to spend per week in studying, completing assignments, etc.
*** That is, * + ** = workload hours.
Subject Alignment to Graduate Attributes
Graduate Attribute Contribution of Christian Worldview
Christian Worldview: Knowledge of the Christian
story derived from the Scriptures and tradition of
the church, and awareness of the implications of this
story for self-identity in the context of local and
global communities. This includes a commitment to
engage with alternate worldviews, and show
appreciation of the values and perspectives of
others.
Subject outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4
This entire is focused on this graduate
attribute
Leadership: Ability to provide effective Christian
leadership to individuals, groups and organisations,
demonstrated in the capacity to influence and enable
others to accomplish worthwhile objectives which
contribute to the human good and the kingdom of
God. This includes seeking to emulate the example
of Jesus Christ in serving and empowering others.
Subject outcomes 2, 3, 4
Integrity and Justice: The ability to apply a
Christian worldview in the diverse situations and
responsibilities of life, and to exercise faith, hope,
love and generosity as prevailing attitudes. This
includes the active promotion of the gospel, social
justice, equality, mutual respect and an ecological
ethos.
Subject outcome 3, 4
Communications: The ability to communicate
effectively to a range of audiences, in appropriate
contexts using high levels of verbal, written and
technological skills. This includes visual and media
literacy, numeracy, rhetoric and persuasion.
Written communication skills developed in
assignments.
Personal and Social Skills: Demonstrate relational
skills that incorporate the flexibility for both
independent and collaborative situations. This
includes personal and group organizational skills,
conflict management and resolution, as well as the
ability to value and respect the opinions of others.
Subject outcome 2, 3Christian Worldview
Alphacrucis College 2015
Critical and Creative Thinking: Ability to provide
effective Christian leadership to individuals, groups
and organisations, demonstrated in the capacity to
influence and enable others to accomplish
worthwhile objectives which contribute to the
human good and the kingdom of God. This includes
seeking to emulate the example of Jesus Christ in
serving and empowering others.
Subject outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4
Professional Knowledge: Use and maintain
knowledge about a discipline or field, in terms of
theoretical, conceptual and methodological
elements, striving continually and independently to
secure further knowledge and where appropriate,
defined professional skills.
Subject outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4Christian Worldview
Alphacrucis College 2015
Learning Outcomes and Assessment Information
Learning outcomes for subject
1. Identify the sources used to inform theological thinking and apply consistent method in
analysing and contrasting information;
2. Describe and examine alternate perspectives, and identify complementary and
contradictory conclusions and arguments;
3. Show how Christian doctrine and theological tradition is important for individual
spirituality and to church life and mission
4. Interpret and summarise a formative understanding of traditional Christian thought on
doctrines of God, creation and redemption.
Assessment tasks
Type When assessed –
year, session and
week
Weighting Learning Outcomes
Forum Postings (2000
words)
Weekly, Weeks
1-12 20% 2, 3, 4
Proposal & Annotated
Bibliography (500 words) Week 4 10% 1
Major Essay (1750 words) Week 9 40% 1, 2, 3, 4
Exam (90 minutes) Week 13 30% 3, 4Christian Worldview
Alphacrucis College 2015
Detailed Assessment Information
Each student will complete the following assessments (specific due dates are located on
Moodle):
1. Forum Postings (20%) – 2000 Words
Students will read the allocated weekly reading and take part in a weekly Q&A forum,
available under each topic on Moodle (there are 12 weekly forums in total).
Students are to read the weekly reading/s and respond to the forum question(s), revolving
around the text and its content. Examples of forum questions include:
In summary form, what is the text about?
What was the focus or main argument of the text and what reasons supported it?
What was a strength (or strengths) of the text, and why?
What was a weakness (or weaknesses) of the text, and why?
Is there any insight that has changed your thinking, or which you will apply to your
life, explain?
After reading the required reading/s and making an initial response, students are to
participate in discussion with other students by responding to at least one student forum.
Each weekly post should be approximately 170 words (response posts to other students are
not restricted in terms of word count).
Higher grades will be awarded to students who engage more thoughtfully and critically with
the reading and other students’ comments.
Please note that while the forums are a place of honest discussion, they are also a place of
respect.
Students should not participate if they have not completed that week’s reading/s.
Due: All initial forum posts must be made prior to the progress bar due date
(AEDST/AEST). Response forum posts can be made up to one week after the original
due date. Thereafter the forum will be closed for either initial or response posts. The only
exception to this is the first topic forum, which is due on the second week
Note: Forums will close the Friday week after the due date.Christian Worldview
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2. Essay Proposal and Annotated Bibliography (10%) – 500 Words
Choose one of the essay questions prescribed in assignment 3 and provide an annotated
bibliography of at least eight references.
Choose one essay question option from the list under the assignment heading 3: ‘Essay
(40%) – 1750 Words’ (Assignment 3).
Provide a bibliography (exempt from word count) of at least eight resources that will be used
to address the question.
Provide annotations for each resource (500 Words). Annotations should briefly note the
scope of the text, comment on its relevance to the question, and note any limitations or
weakness that can be foreseen in its applicability.
Assessment and awarding of marks will be according to the choice of resources (quality and
relevance to the question) and annotations.
Note: resources should include textbooks and journal articles.
Due: Friday, Week 4
3. Essay (40%) – 1750 Words
Students shall choose ONE option from the list below and write a 1750 word essay.
1. Compare and contrast a non-Christian Worldview of your choice with a Christian
Worldview.
In addition to a brief overview, choose ONE or TWO key aspects to discuss in more
detail (examples include: the origin and nature of the universe, the sense of the ultimate
(or nature of God), humanity, spiritual practices, or the nature of the good life).
2. What is the ‘Kingdom of God’ and how does it relate to the Church?
Critically discuss alternative perspectives.
3. What does it mean to be made in the image of God?
Critically discuss a range of perspectives in your answer, and provide a short
application of your conclusion to Christian life (application section should be no longer
than 400 words).
4. Describe and explain the doctrine of the Trinity.
In your answer, refer to the debates of the early church and allow for dialogue withChristian Worldview
Alphacrucis College 2015
contemporary developments. Include a short application section (of no longer than 400
words) regarding the relevance of the doctrine of the Trinity to Christian life.
NOTE: Please note that an abstract is required for this assessment. Also, all quotations DO
contribute to the word count – however, your abstract, bibliography and footnotes do not.
REFERENCING: In regards to referencing - we suggest that you print out the Alphacrucis
Referencing Guide (which follows the Turabian referencing system) from the study skills
page of Moodle, so that you are aware of the correct way to reference in your footnotes and
bibliography.
Due: Friday, Week 9
Marking Rubric
F P CR D HD N/A
Ideas
Logical & Coherent (content
reasonable & comprehensible)
Creative and original thoughts
delineated & well-integrated
Relevant to set task/question,
identified the key issues
Research
Appropriate academic sources
used
Breadth of sources relied on
Current journal literature included
OrganizationChristian Worldview
Alphacrucis College 2015
Structure & sequence (order) of
ideas & argumentation
Strength of Introduction &
Conclusion
Appropriate abstract
Language
Academic Tone
Grammar & sentence construction
Gender inclusive terminology
Spelling & punctuation
Mechanics
Footnoting: Ideas & quotations
sufficiently referenced
Footnoting: Correct style adhered
to
Bibliography: Correct style &
appropriate inclusion of texts
Headings, layout, word count
4. Exam (30%) – 60 Minutes
The 60 minute final exam will consist of multiple choice and short answer questions. The
exam will be completed either in class or online via the 'final quiz' link at the top of the
Moodle page, subject to tutor instruction. You will have one attempt to complete the exam;
please see the moodle instructions for the specific date and time of completion.Christian Worldview
Alphacrucis College 2015
(Note: You may want to save the exam as you go or take screen shots in the case that your
internet connection or computer fails.)
All questions will be derived from the required readings. It is a closed book exam but you
may use a paper version standard bible.
For those taking the exam online, you will also be required to nominate a supervisor and
have them fill out the exam supervisor form located on moodle. Exam supervisors should be
someone who holds a position of authority, such as pastor or teacher. You will be required to
upload their completed supervisor form to the moodle side through the relevant link.Christian Worldview
Alphacrucis College 2015
Teaching and Learning Strategies
This subject consists of a lecture series delivered via Echo360 video, along with PDF notes and a
weekly lesson, to guide students through the material. Students are expected to complement
these with the prescribed readings and as part of their assessment to demonstrate an
understanding of the principal foundations of Christian theology and how these relate to the
development of worldviews and to issues of everyday life, vocation, and ministry.
Required Reading
Grenz, Stanley. Created for Community. 2nd Edition. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker, 1998.
Alternatively, students can purchase the 3rd edition (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker, 2015).
Students can locate the cheapest bookseller for this title via www.booko.com.au, or a local
library copy via www.worldcat.org. This book is also available in e-book format for
purchase/download via Amazon Kindle.
Weekly Reading/Assessment Schedule
Week Topics Required Reading/Assessments Due
1 Worldview Naugle, David K. “Worldview: History, Theology, Implications.”
&
Sire, James W. Naming the Elephant: Worldview as a Concept.
Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2004 – “Worldview
Definitions: From Dilthey to Naugle (Ch. 2)” pages 23-50
2 Theology Grenz, S.J. Created For Community: Connecting Christian Belief
with Christian Living. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1998. –
“Introduction: Christian Belief and Christian Living”
3 Creation Grenz, S.J. Created For Community: Connecting Christian Belief
with Christian Living. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1998. – Ch.
2. “The God Whom We Know”.
Supplementary ReadingChristian Worldview
Alphacrucis College 2015
Ormerod, N. Creation, Grace and Redemption. Maryknoll: Orbis,
2007. - Ch 1 ‘The God of Creation’ pages 1-22.
4 Anthropology Grenz, S.J. Created For Community: Connecting Christian Belief
with Christian Living. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1998. – Ch.
3. “Our Identity as God’s Creatures”.
5 Pain & Sin Grenz, S.J. Created For Community: Connecting Christian Belief
with Christian Living. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1998. – Ch.
4. “Our Human Failure”.
Supplementary Reading:
Ormerod, N. Creation, Grace and Redemption. Maryknoll: Orbis,
2007. – Ch 4 ‘Original sin’ pages 68-99.
6 Jesus Grenz, S.J. Created For Community: Connecting Christian Belief
with Christian Living. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1998. – Ch.
5. “Jesus Christ: ‘God With Us’”.
&
Grenz, S.J. Created For Community: Connecting Christian Belief
with Christian Living. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1998. – Ch.
6. “Jesus’ Mission in the Divine Program”
7 Trinity Grenz, S.J. Created For Community: Connecting Christian Belief
with Christian Living. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1998. – Ch .
1. “Knowing the God of the Bible in the Contemporary World” &
Ch. 2. “The God Whom We Know”
8 Spirit Macchia, Frank, J. Baptized in the Spirit. Grand Rapids, MI:
Zondervan, 2006. Chapter 2. “Spirit Baptism and Pentecostal
Theology: Returning to Our Central Distinctive” pages 19-60
&
Grenz, S.J. Created For Community: Connecting Christian Belief
with Christian Living. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1998. – Ch.
7 “The Holy Spirit - The Author of Life”.Christian Worldview
Alphacrucis College 2015
9 Response Grenz, S.J. Created For Community: Connecting Christian Belief
with Christian Living. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1998. – Ch.
8. “The Holy Spirit and Our Salvation”.
Bonhoeffer, D. The Cost of Discipleship. London: SCM, 1948. -
Chapter entitled ‘Costly Grace’ pages 35-47.
10 Church Grenz, S.J. Created For Community: Connecting Christian Belief
with Christian Living. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1998. – Ch.
9. “The Pioneer Community” & Ch. 10. “Participating in the Pioneer
Community”
11 Equality Clifton, S. “Sexism and the Demonic in Church Life and Mission.” In
Raising Women Leaders: Perspectives on Liberating Women in
Pentecostal and Charismatic Contexts, edited by Shane Clifton and
Jacqueline Grey, 51-70. Sydney: APS, 2009.
&
Fee, G. “The Cultural Context of Ephesians 5:18-6:9.” Priscilla
Papers 16, no. 1 (2002): 3-8.
12 Hope Grenz, S.J. Created For Community: Connecting Christian Belief
with Christian Living. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1998. – Ch.
11. “The Climax of Our Story” & Ch. 12. “God’s Community: Our
Eternal Home”.
13 Exam Week Due: Final Exam (30%)/Student Feedback FormChristian Worldview
Alphacrucis College 2015
Useful Academic Policies
Referencing: Turabian
All written assignments must comply with the correct style for academic writing as set forth in
Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. Chicago:
University of Chicago Press, 2007.
On Moodle, the Study Skills page provides information on referencing in this format. Also,
Monash University have an excellent online guide to Turabian citation (footnotes and
bibliography): http://www.lib.monash.edu.au/tutorials/citing/turabian-footnote.html
Submission of Assessments
All assessment tasks are to be submitted through Moodle, the Alphacrucis College e-learning
platform, in Word.doc format and with the correct naming convention:
Subject code_ student number_assignment name.doc
(eg. MIN101_X02345_filmreview.doc)
Written assessments will be submitted via a program on Moodle called Turnitin, which checks
assessments for plagiarism. To assist students in uploading their assignments and interpreting their
feedback, we have recorded two instructional videos for using Turnitin, which can be accessed
under module 2 of the Study Skills page on Moodle.
Students are to take care when uploading assignments to Moodle, ensuring they submit the correct
document for marking. It should be understood that assignments submitted electronically cannot
be amended at a later date. With this in mind, email requests from students, to include any such
assignment amendments, cannot be considered.
A 10% leeway is allowed in word count requirements for assignments. If the word count is either
under or over by more than 10%, the student will be penalized with a 10% deduction of their grade.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is essentially the failure to give due credit via correct referencing to a source authored
by another person or organisation. Alphacrucis College views plagiarism very seriously and
requires that all students are aware of their responsibilities. As such, all students are required to
read the ‘How to Avoid Plagiarism’ document on the Moodle Study Skills page and complete theChristian Worldview
Alphacrucis College 2015
Plagiarism Quiz with a grade of 90% or higher (students may retake the quiz as many times as
possible). On the cover page of every submitted assessment, students are required to record the
date and grade of their successful completion of the quiz.
Late Assessments and Extension Requests
The Assessment Policy has recently changed. Please read the assessment policy in full, located on
the AC website and found here. It is important to note that late assessments will receive a fail mark,
there are no longer late penalties. Requests for the extension of an assessment task deadline will
only be granted on the following grounds: 1) Medical illness (certified by Doctor’s Certificate); 2)
Extreme Hardship; 3) Compassionate Grounds. Students are to complete the “Request for
Extension of Assignment Deadline Form”, which must be submitted online at
http://ac.edu.au/students/forms/request_for_extension. This form must be completed no less than
48 hours before the assignment is due.
Assessment Resources
To complete the assessment tasks, students will be required to read widely on the topic
investigated. To assist this research, a list of representative references is included at the end of this
course handout.
The use of journal articles by students is encouraged. Alphacrucis College is part of the ANZTLA
consortia that subscribes to the following on-line databases of journals:
ALTA Indexes
ALTA Serials
EBSCO Religion and Philosophy Database
All of these databases are available for students to use, but require a username and password. To
access these facilities, students need to fill out the online form at http://ac.edu.au/library/onlinejournals. Once this is processed, students will be allocated a username and password via email.
Common Grammatical Errors
Please be careful of:
There & Their – ‘there’ refers to a place, whereas ‘their’ is a possessive pronoun
referring to what belongs to a group of people.
Alter & Altar – ‘alter’ means to change, whereas ‘altar’ refers to a place of worship.
God & god – ‘God’ refers to the supreme being, whereas ‘god’ refers to a deity or idol.Christian Worldview
Alphacrucis College 2015
Form & From – ‘form’ refers to the shape or appearance of an object, whereas ‘from’
is a preposition used to designate a starting point or indicate cause.
Versus & Verses – ‘versus’ is a preposition meaning against, whereas ‘verses’ are the
divisions within a chapter of the bible.
God’s not Gods – this needs to have an apostrophe to indicate the possessive i.e. God’s.
Principle, not principal – a ‘principle’ is a conviction that one holds to, whereas a
‘principal’ is the person in charge of a school.
Please also make sure that you write in gender inclusive language – that is people, person,
humanity, humankind (NOT man, mankind, etc.).
Representative References
Baukham, R. Jesus: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011. (E-book
available)
Barth, K. Evangelical Theology: An Introduction. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1963
Dockery, D. & G. Thornbury (eds). Shaping a Christian Worldview. Nashville: Baker, 2002.
Edwards, D. Breath of Life: A Theology of the Creator Spirit. Maryknoll: Orbis, 2004
Geisler, N.L. Systematic Theology, Volume 1: Introduction/Bible. Ada, MI: Bethany House,
2002.
Grenz, S. Created for Community. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1998.
Hall, D. Thinking the Faith. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1991
Horton, M. The Christian Faith: A Systematic Theology for Pilgrims on the Way. MI:
Zondervan, 2011
Horton, S & Menzies, W, Bible Doctrines: A Pentecostal Perspective. Springfield: GPH, 2012.
Horton, S (ed). Systematic Theology: A Pentecostal Perspective. Springfield: GPH, 1993.
Kapic, K. & McCormick, B. Mapping Modern Theology: a Fanatic and Historic Introduction.
Grand Rapids: Baker, 2012 (e-book available)
Kärkkäinen, V. Holy Spirit and Salvation: the sources of Christian theology. Louisville,
Kentucky: Westminster John Knox, 2010.
Macchia, F. Justified in the Spirit: Creation, Redemption and the Triune God. Grand Rapids:
Eerdmans, 2010.Christian Worldview
Alphacrucis College 2015
McGrath, Alister E. Christian Theology: An Introduction. Oxford, UK: Blackwell, 2010
(Available in Kindle)
Mayhue, R.J.H. & MacArthur, J. (eds), Think Biblically!: Recovering a Christian Worldview.
Wheaton, Ill: Crossway, 2003
Mayhue, R.J.H. & MacArthur, J. (eds). Think Biblically!: Recovering a Christian Worldview.
Wheaton, Ill: Crossway, 2003.
Migliore, D. Faith Seeking Understanding. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2004.
Milne, B. Know the Truth – 3rd edition. Downers Grove: IVP, 2009.
Nichols, T. Death and Afterlife: a Theological Introduction. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2010 (e-book
available)
Ormerod, N. Creation, Grace, and Redemption. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2007
Peters, T. “Six Ways of Salvation: How Does Jesus Save?”, Dialog 45/3 (2006): 223-235.
Tan-Chow, M.L. Pentecostal Theology for the Twenty-First Century. Surrey: Ashgate, 2007.
Van Gelder, C. The Essence of the Church. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2000.
Yong, A. Who Is the Holy Spirit?: A Walk with the Apostles. Massachusetts: Paraclete, 2011.
ADDITIONAL REFERENCES
Edwards, D. Breath of Life: A Theology of the Creator Spirit. Maryknoll: Orbis, 2004.
Kärkkäinen, V. Pneumatology. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2002.
Moreland, J.P. & Craig, W.L. Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview. Downers
Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2003.
Peters, T. “Six Ways of Salvation: How Does Jesus Save?” Dialog 45, no. 3 (2006): 223-235.
Tan-Chow, M.L. Pentecostal Theology for the Twenty-First Century. Surrey: Ashgate, 2007.
Van Gelder, C. The Essence of the Church. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2000.
JOURNALS & JOURNAL ARTICLES
Ecclesiology: The Journal for Ministry Mission and Unity
Ethnos: Journal of AnthropologyChristian Worldview
Alphacrucis College 2015
International Journal of Systematic Theology
Journal of the European Pentecostal Theological Association
Journal of Pentecostal Theology
Pneuma
Ross, K. “Christian Mission and the End of Poverty: Time For Eschatology,” Mission Studies 24
(2007): 79-97.
Yong, A. “The Spirit and Creation: Possibilities and Challenges for a Dialogue between
Pentecostal Theology and the Sciences,” Journal of the European Pentecostal Theological
Association 25 (2005): 82-110.
WEBSITES
Christian Classics Ethereal Library - http://www.ccel.org/
Christians for Biblical Equality - http://www.cbeinternational.org/index.php
Glopent: European Research on Global Pentecostalism - http://www.glopent.net/
Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion - http://www.fsrinc.org/jfsr/
Melbourne College of Divinity Research Repository -
http://repository.mcd.edu.au/view/subjects/systematic=5Ftheology.html
New Advent: The Catholic Encyclopedia - http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/index.html
The Pneuma Foundation -
http://www.pneumafoundation.org/web_article_archive.jsp;jsessionid=7A1E81378B624879EEF
71E40D4843EFD