The Pentecostal/Charismatic and Evangelical movements are among the largest and fastest growing traditions within world Christianity and indeed of any faith, representing on some estimates well over half a billion people. Birmingham has a long-standing tradition of studying these movements ranging back over some 40 years, and remains today a world leader in this field of research.
This programme offers you the opportunity of exploring the faith, practices, worship and teaching of these communities from a critical academic perspective which emphasises their global and contextual nature. Specialisms include:
The dissertation allows plenty of opportunity for you to explore your own specific interests in the field, and you can also participate in the Centre for Pentecostal and Charismatic Studies research seminars.
The course provides an excellent preparation for further research in the field but as a stand alone course which will be of interest to people from within these Christian traditions, those who are fascinated by religious phenomena, growth and development, professionals in social policy, education, politics and economics, and the faith groups who engage regularly with individuals and communities from Evangelical and Pentecostal/Charismatic backgrounds
Programme content
You can study this programme full-time for one year or part-time over three years. Part-time classes are scheduled in three 72- hour residentials to ensure the course is as accessible as possible for those with other family, church or work commitments.
You will take six taught modules (three per semester for full-time students and three per year in years one and two for part-time students). There are two compulsory modules:
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Research Methodology
This module provides an introduction to the study of graduate-level Theology and to research in this field.
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History and Theology of Evangelicalism and Pentecostalism
This module concentrates on the origins, history and development of Evangelicalism in different parts of the world. There is a particular emphasis on the theological and historical precedents to Pentecostalism in late 19th- and early 20th- century Evangelicalism and the significance of Pentecostalism to global Christianity.
You can then choose to study any four of these optional modules:
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Pentecostal Charismatic Theology in Context
This module examines key theological issues relating to the global Pentecostal and Charismatic movements. Particular attention is given to the subjects of spirituality, mission, culture and society, and globalisation. Contextual and multi-disciplinary approaches to Pentecostal and Charismatic studies will inform the theological reflection.
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Evangelical Theology in Comparative Perspective
This module will be a reading-based course, focusing on the close reading and comparison of systematic theologies of selected evangelical theologians with non-evangelical ones.
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Contemporary Theology of the Holy Spirit
This module will consider the theological distinctives of contemporary Evangelicalism, tracing their historic roots and practical outworking today.
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Evangelical and Pentecostal Approaches to Music and Worship
This module will look at the growth and development of worship in the Evangelical and Pentecostal movements since the 1970s and include consideration of the theology of music and worship and a historical survey, as well as a discussion and analysis of contemporary practice.
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Evangelical and Pentecostal Hermeneutics
This module will examine the use of the Bible in the Evangelical and Pentecostal/Charismatic traditions, highlighting similarities and differences between their approaches to and appropriation of the biblical text.
Alternatively, you may select up to two modules from other programmes in the School of Philosophy, Theology and Religion, which includes courses in Philosophy of Religion and Ethics, Religion and Culture, Religion and Politics, Religion and Law, Global Ethics, the History of Christianity and the Philosophy of Health and Happiness.
Learning, teaching and assessment
The programme is delivered by formal lectures and interactive seminars as well as in your research. The programme will be assessed by an essay for each module and a 12,000-word final dissertation.
Skills gained
You will gain professional expertise in critical engagement and analysis; core academic and theological skills such as textual analysis and sustained critical argument and debating abilities; the ability to reflect critically on personal practice; and specific critical insight into the nature of this major tradition of world Christianity.
Careers
You will be equipped for pursuing careers in church-related work; social concern and social policy; youth work; politics and community affairs; education; and for further study in the field. You will also have the opportunity to build key transferable skills such as reflective practice, administration, critical examination and communication, and therefore improve your general employability.