MHTM 639 (02) Ministry to People in Buddhist ContextsDave OlesonPage 1ASSEMBLIES OF GOD THEOLOGICAL SEMINARYContinuing Education CourseCentral Bible College3000 N. GrantSpringfield, MO 65803MHTM 639 (02) MINISTRY TO PEOPLE IN BUDDHIST CONTEXTSJuly 22-26, 2002COURSE SYLLABUS(2 Credits)Dave Oleson Summer 2002Course DescriptionA general survey of Buddhism that gives special consideration to aspects of ministry topeople living in Buddhist contexts and influenced by Buddhist worldviews. The historyof the Buddha, expansion of Buddhism, overview of the various traditions andexamination of major doctrines/themes will be studied. A comparison of Buddhist andChristian doctrines will be made, especially noting bridges for evangelism and currentstrategies. Special attention will be given to the history of Christian mission amongBuddhists, church planting models among Buddhist peoples and tools for research andfurther study.Course ObjectivesAt the end of this course the student will be able to:1. Relate the main events in the life of the Buddha.2. Describe the core doctrines of Buddhism that are common to all the traditions ofBuddhism.3. Identify points of difference between the three main traditions.4. Will be able to identify some elements within Buddhism that can serve as bridges topresenting the Gospel.5. Outline the history and expansion of Buddhism.6. Discuss aspects of folk Buddhism.7. Share their faith more effectively with Buddhists and those influenced by Buddhismand New Age thinking.Textbooks and Reading MaterialsTsering, Marku. Sharing Christ in the Tibetan Buddhist World, Revised Edition. UpperDarby, PA: Tibet Press, 1988.Smith, Alex G. Buddhism Through Christian Eyes. Littleton, CO: OMF, 2001MHTM 639 (02) Ministry to People in Buddhist ContextsDave OlesonPage 2Davis, John. Poles Apart: Contextualizing the Gospel in Asia. Bangalore, India:Thological Book Trust, 1998. [Available on AGTS Website]Maguire, Jack. Essential Buddhism: A Complete Guide to Beliefs and Practices. NewYork: Pocket Books, 2001.Deneui, Paul. Contexualizing with Thai Folk Buddhists. [Available on AGTS Website]Johnson, Alan. Wrapping the Good News for the Thai. [Available on AGTS Website]Recommended ReadingsCourse Outline and Reading ScheduleJuly 22 – Introduction to BuddhismShould Christians Study Buddhism?Extent of Buddhism around the WorldLife of Gautama SiddhartaEarly History and Expansion of BuddhismJuly 23 – Christian Missions to the Buddhist WorldMajor Streams of BuddhismHistorical Overview of Christian Missions to BuddhistChristianity Today among Buddhist PeoplesJuly 24 – Evangelism among BuddhistsUnderstanding the Buddhist WorldviewComparison of Major Buddhist Doctrines and ChristianityFolk BuddhismRedemptive AnalogiesThematic Approaches to EvangelismCulturally Considerations for EvangelismRealistic ExpectationsJuly 25 – Ecclesiastical Models of SuccessForm of the Church among BuddhistsCase StudiesHananHouses That Change the WorldPlanting Churches in Thailand (Jim Hosack)July 26 – Web Based Missions ResearchDoing Research on the Web (Scott Fontenot)Self-directed Module for Learning Practical CultureCourse EvaluationMHTM 639 (02) Ministry to People in Buddhist ContextsDave OlesonPage 3MethodologyLecture, video, discussion, case studies, guest lecturers, web research, group work.Course Requirements and Grading2 credits1. Class attendance. Because the class is condensed to 5 days, attendance each day isimperative. For every 3 hours missed, the grade will be reduced one letter grade (20%)2. Read all required texts. Complete appropriate response/reflection (30%).3. Annotated list of Buddhist web sites. Find 15 Buddhist web sites, explore the site andidentify its features. Name the site, give its URL and describe the site in 3 or 4sentences (20%)4. A 10-page paper developing one of the following topics (30%):a. Folk Buddhism as practiced among the people with whom the student will beworking.b. Identify the Buddhist holidays among the people with whom the student will beworking and appropriate Christian response.c. Research a Buddhist people group in the student’s country of assignment.d. Describe how a particular Buddhist concept might be used as a bridge to presentingthe gospel.3 Credits1. Class attendance. Because the class is condensed to 5 days, attendance each day isimperative. For every 3 hours missed, the grade will be reduced one letter grade (20%).2. Read all required texts. In addition to the required texts, the student will choose a bookrelated to their particular field or people group and get it approved by the professorbefore reading it. Complete a 5-6 page book review using the attached form (30%).3. Annotated list of Buddhist web sites. Find 20 Buddhist web sites, explore the site andidentify its features. Name the site, give its URL and describe the site in 3 or 4sentences (20%)4. A 15-page paper developing one of the following topics (30%):a. Folk Buddhism as practiced among the people with whom the student will beworking.b. Identify the Buddhist holidays among the people with whom the student will beworking and appropriate Christian response.c. Research a Buddhist people group in the student’s country of assignment.d. Describe how a particular Buddhist concept might be used as a bridge to presentingthe gospel.Course Grading Scale100-95 A94-90 A-89-86 B+85-82 B81-80 B-79-77 C+76-72 CMHTM 639 (02) Ministry to People in Buddhist ContextsDave OlesonPage 471-70 C-69-67 D+66-62 D61-60 D-59-0 FCourse Procedures1. Consistent attendance is required. (More than a half-day absence could result in gradereduction).2. Late work will be penalized.3. A grade of Incomplete will be given only in the event of extreme circumstances.4. Work received after the post-session due date specified in the syllabus will result in achange of grade fee ($15.00) being charged, even when an extension has been granted bythe instructor.MHTM 639 (02) Ministry to People in Buddhist ContextsDave OlesonPage 5BOOK REVIEW FORMATThis format can be used for standard book and journal article reviews of variable length.The usual is 3-4 pages, but for a larger book or more detailed work you could do 5-7 or 8-10.Follow a three part structure.Part 1 Overview and DescriptionPut the bibliographic data on the top as the title or just under your titleSketch out the major purpose and themes of the book article.Part 2 Interpretation, Analysis, CritiqueIn this section interact