Minor in Missions

Cook School of Intercultural Studies

Overview

The missions minor equips students to reflect on the historical, theological, cultural and strategic realities that impact effective cross-cultural witness and service. As agents of the Great Commission, students are prepared to exegete Scripture and cultural context, avoiding the mistakes of the past while using the most effective means possible to advance the gospel.

Courses

Below are the course requirements for this academic program. In addition to these program-specific requirements, all majors include Biola's traditional undergraduate core curriculum. For more program details, including a sample course sequence, visit Biola's academic catalog.

Note: This list is intended to give you a quick glimpse into the program's academic offerings, and should not be used as a guide for course selection or academic advising.

Core Courses

ANTH 200	General Cultural Anthropology
The nature of people in culture; worldview and perception; culture change; a study of the subsystems of cultures, including social organization, religion, language and related topics. Includes practical applications to global problems such as AIDS, human rights, etc. Notes: Approved for Core Curriculum Behavioral Science credit. Grade Mode: A.
BBST 458	Theology of Mission
Study of God's redemptive acts in Scripture on behalf of mankind, with application to the mission of the church today. Grade Mode: A.
INCS 233	Foundations of Global Studies
Exploration of foundational issues related to international and intercultural ministry, including foundational models of global Christian witness, mission formation, contextualization, and an overview of various global realities (poverty; international development; Islam; unreached peoples; urbanization; globalization; and peace, security and conflict) from a Biblical perspective. Career tracks in intercultural and global service are explored.
INCS 333	Principles of Church Multiplication
Exploration of the foundational issues related to global ministry, emphasizing church planting strategies for entering and leaving an area. A holistic approach to ministry designed to empower nationals for ministry and using teamwork with the investigation of spiritual gifts, skills and life experience. Grade Mode: A.
INCS 334	Church Planting Models and Strategies
A survey and analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of various church planting strategies. Emphasizing key factors which the church planter can implement in a given cross-cultural context with strategy for turning over the leadership to the local church. Grade Mode: A.
INCS 338	Urban Ministry Models
This study moves beyond the classroom to actual urban church plants in the greater L.A. area. Visits and dialogues provide the practical ways pastors, lay people, parachurch people, and missionaries prepare themselves and their congregations for intentional church planting in ethnically diverse communities. Grade Mode: A.
INCS 410	Frontier Missiology
An examination of the theology and missiology of the 'frontier missions' movement and the emphasis on 'unreached peoples', including its historical background, leading proponents, anthropological conceptions, and strategic implications; the dynamics of pioneer church movements; contextualization in Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, and Tribal societies; insider movements; and other models of mission breakthrough. Grade Mode: A.
INCS 444	History of the Expansion of Christianity
The historical development and spread of the Christian faith from the apostolic period until today. Emphasis is given to the modern era, especially growth dynamics in the Global South (non-Western world). Grade Mode: A.
INCS 450	Theology of Mission
A study of the centrality of God's redemptive acts on behalf of mankind from both the Old and New Testaments, as well as theological issues related to the mission of the Church in modern times. Notes: See BBST 458. Grade Mode: A.
INCS 451	Principles of Evangelism and Church Growth
A basic understanding of evangelism and church growth concepts as related both to local congregations and to the task of worldwide evangelization. Attention is given to identifying receptive peoples, bringing them to faith, incorporating them into the church and multiplying more churches. Grade Mode: A.

Elective Courses

INCS 324	Introduction to Islam and Islamic Theology
An introductory survey of the Islamic world and its faith, and major themes in Muslim theology and doctrine from the Qur'an to contemporary Muslim thinkers. Topics include faith, practice, the daily life and spiritual world of Muslims; the systematic character of Muslim thought; theological, historical, political, social and cultural barriers and bridges between Muslims and Christians. Critical issues like contextualization, power encounter, church multiplication, the role of women, and contemporary Islamic thought including the emergence of Islamic fundamentalism and militant Islam. Grade Mode: A.
INCS 332	Peoples of the World
A study of specific cultural areas with an emphasis on customs, social structures, religion, arts, and history. Areas of specialty may include:
INCS 333	Principles of Church Multiplication
Exploration of the foundational issues related to global ministry, emphasizing church planting strategies for entering and leaving an area. A holistic approach to ministry designed to empower nationals for ministry and using teamwork with the investigation of spiritual gifts, skills and life experience. Grade Mode: A.
INCS 334	Church Planting Models and Strategies
A survey and analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of various church planting strategies. Emphasizing key factors which the church planter can implement in a given cross-cultural context with strategy for turning over the leadership to the local church. Grade Mode: A.
INCS 338	Urban Ministry Models
This study moves beyond the classroom to actual urban church plants in the greater L.A. area. Visits and dialogues provide the practical ways pastors, lay people, parachurch people, and missionaries prepare themselves and their congregations for intentional church planting in ethnically diverse communities. Grade Mode: A.
INCS 342	World Christianity
An introduction to the contemporary worldwide Christian movement, focusing on social, cultural and missiological issues; the translatability of the gospel; and non-Western missions and religious movements. Grade Mode: A.
INCS 360	Short-Term Mission Leadership
Preparation to effectively lead a short-term mission team (STM) and program, including team training and preparation, models of STM service, spiritual and cultural issues, analysis of the STM paradigm, and assessment of STM effectiveness. Grade Mode: A.
INCS 410	Frontier Missiology
An examination of the theology and missiology of the 'frontier missions' movement and the emphasis on 'unreached peoples', including its historical background, leading proponents, anthropological conceptions, and strategic implications; the dynamics of pioneer church movements; contextualization in Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, and Tribal societies; insider movements; and other models of mission breakthrough. Grade Mode: A.
INCS 447	Approaches to the Islamic World
Exploration of historical and contemporary approaches to Muslim peoples, including an analysis of effective interactions and Muslim perceptions, and individual and organizational approaches like evangelism, apologetics, interfaith dialogue, evangelism, apologetics, education, development and compassion ministries, reconciliation, peace-building and the planting of transformational communities. This course will equip students with an understanding of the basic competencies needed to live and serve effectively among Muslim peoples in the name and spirit of Jesus. Grade Mode: A.
INCS 448	Topics in Islamic Studies
Studies in selected issues pertaining to Islam, such as Islamic Theology; The Qur'an and Muslim Tradition; The Life of Muhammad; Muslim-Christian Relations; Islam in the 21st Century; Islam and State; The Anthropology of Islam. Conflict and Change in Islamic World or an in-depth study of a particular aspect of Islamic thought, practice or history. Notes: May be taken multiple times with different content. Grade Mode: A.
INCS 451	Principles of Evangelism and Church Growth
A basic understanding of evangelism and church growth concepts as related both to local congregations and to the task of worldwide evangelization. Attention is given to identifying receptive peoples, bringing them to faith, incorporating them into the church and multiplying more churches. Grade Mode: A.
INCS 456	World Religions
The distinctive features of the historical ethnic religions, with special emphasis on their comparison and encounter with Christianity and their bearings upon missionary strategies. Grade Mode: A.
INCS 457	Urban Research
The use of social science research techniques to learn about the people, needs and opportunities for living, working, and serving in the city. Special attention is given to researching people groups and the adaptations they make to urban contexts.
INCS 458	Village and Tribal Cultures
Analysis of the cultural institutions and values in tribal, peasant and newly emerging economies, with special consideration as to their openness or resistance to change. Grade Mode: A.
INCS 468	Women in Cross-Cultural Ministry
The dynamics of women in missions and cross-cultural ministry; historical, social, cultural, psychological, physical, and spiritual issues. Special focus on challenges and opportunities in the contemporary world. Grade Mode: A.
INCS 470	Seminar in Intercultural Studies: Selected Topics and Issues in Missions
Explores various themes and topics of current interest in Intercultural Studies.
INCS 480	Directed Research
Directed reading, individual work, in-depth investigation of a topic under the guidance of the faculty using standard research procedures. Notes: Topic selection and course enrollment by advisor's approval. Grade Mode: A.
INCS 490	Practical Mission Training
Topics in missionary preparation. Notes: Also available for CPLE. Grade Mode: A.

20–24

Total Program Credits

Every program at Biola University features rigorous academics, biblically integrated curriculum and vocational preparation.

WSCUC

Accreditation

Biola University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. Additional accreditations may apply to specific programs.

Minor in Missions

Overview

Courses

Core Courses

Elective Courses

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