Overview
Explores the spread of Christianity in the Pacific, including the role of Western and Pacific Island missionaries in the evangelization process, Pacific churches’ growth and development, and relevance to contemporary society.
About this paper
| Paper title | History of Christianity in the Pacific |
|---|---|
| Subject | Christian Thought and History |
| EFTS | 0.1500 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 2
(Distance learning)
Semester 2 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,103.10 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- 36 100-level points
- Restriction
- CHTH 307
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music, Theology
Overview
Explores the spread of Christianity in the Pacific, including the role of Western and Pacific Island missionaries in the evangelization process, Pacific churches’ growth and development, and relevance to contemporary society.
This paper surveys the spread of Christianity in the Pacific, from the evangelical revival in Britain in the 18th century to the spread of the gospel throughout the region in the centuries that followed. The course will examine the roles of Western and Pacific Island missionaries in the evangelisation process, the growth and development of Pacific churches and the relevance of these churches to contemporary society. The paper also explores the migration of Pacific peoples to New Zealand, Australia and to a lesser extent, the United States and how Pacific churches were established and grew. A critical analysis of the nature and mission of Pacific churches will be explored in the context of the global world.
About this paper
| Paper title | History of Christianity in the Pacific |
|---|---|
| Subject | Christian Thought and History |
| EFTS | 0.1500 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 2
(Distance learning)
Semester 2 (On campus) |
| Delivery mode | The Distance Learning offering of this paper is taught and assessed remotely |
| Domestic Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- 36 100-level points
- Restriction
- CHTH 307
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music, Theology
- Eligibility
Any student can study Theology, whether they are of the Christian faith, another faith or of no religious faith at all. Theology is an examination of the scriptures, history, content and relevance of the Christian faith, but it neither presupposes nor requires a Christian commitment from students. All it requires is an enquiring mind and an interest in those skills that can be gained through the study of any subject in the Humanities.
- Contact
- More information link
View more information on the Theology Programme's website.
- Teaching staff
- Paper Structure
- Historiography, theology of mission, the discovery of the Pacific, explorations from the 16th to 18th century and the formation of mission societies.
- Survey of Christian missions to the Pacific.
- Spread of diaspora Pacific communities in New Zealand and Australia.
- Changing trends in Pacific churches.
- Teaching Arrangements
Distance: online videoconferencing.
On-campus: two-hour lectures once a week for 12 weeks.
- Textbooks
All readings will be made available electronically.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Global perspective, Communication, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Information literacy.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
- Discuss the key developments in the history of Pacific churches, including the diaspora.
- Analyse key theological understandings of Pacific churches and community contexts.
- Critically identify and apply insights on the influence of diaspora Pacific churches and communities in contemporary Aotearoa, New Zealand.
- Assessment details
- Article reviews: two article reviews of 500 words each
- Essay: 1,200 words, character study of a particular person in Pacific church history
- Essay: 2,500 words