Witnessing the Secular Mind: Worldview and Mission - Period 2 Social Sciences & Humanities Program Fall 2023 Semester - Amsterdam

In the twentieth century, and increasingly after WW II, the secularization of Western cultures became a main concern for Christian theologians and missiologists. Secularization was considered as the desired outcome of Christian mission or, by contrast, as its chief opponent. In general, the secularization of Western culture opened up a space for constant debate on the nature of Christianity, its mission to the world, and the theological assessment of modern Western culture. In this course, students will (a) gain insight in the theological roots of the concept of 'secularization', (b) study a number of typical Christian responses to secularization that emerged after the War, influencing missiological debates until today, and (c) reflect on the challenge for Christianity as a minority option in a 'secular' society.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) awards credits based on the ECTS system. Contact hours listed under a course description may vary due to the combination of lecture-based and independent work required for each course therefore, CEA's recommended credits are based on the ECTS credits assigned by VU Amsterdam. 1 ECTS equals 28 contact hours assigned by VU Amsterdam.