Global Mission

Description

Global Mission is divided into two sections: the first, Reflections and Foundations, comprises nine essays of a more general nature; the second, Contextualization at Work, contains twenty one essays of a more specific nature, most of them case studies from a particular location and people group. The thirty-three contributors come from five continents, and a host of contexts. Some are veterans, some quite young, but every one of them is passionate about God’s mission, and about building bridges for the gospel in a way that is absolutely faithful to Scripture but also sensitive to specific contexts. North and South, East and West, demonstrate precious unity in Christ in our common calling.
Contextualization is complex, and none of the authors claim to have got everything right. But their essays are thoughtful, and written out of love for God and love for his world. They tell the stories of trial and error, of struggles and triumphs, as each seeks to present Christ in terms that make sense and can be understood. It is following the process, quite as much as specific conclusions, which make this book valuable and transferable to many other parts of the global church. The essays also give us a peep into many different societies, and the birthing of faith in the grace of the Holy Spirit. Thus we give thanks to God for all that he is wonderfully doing around his world and stimulate our prayers for those who work cross-culturally, especially in pioneer situations.
Not all contributors agree on every point, especially when it comes to the difficulties of mission in the Muslim world (and increasingly, amongst Hindus). There has been no attempt to standardize different approaches, letting a robust conversation develop.
Each chapter ends with some suggested study questions, useful for personal reflection or group or class discussion. The book is deliberately accessible to lay people, but stimulating to career missionaries and academics.
We pray that it may serve the purposes of God, for his glory. This book was published in partnership with the World Evangelical Alliance.

Sujets

• Religion
• Christianisme
• Philosophie et théologie
• Growth
• Christian Church

Informations

• Publié par: William Carey Publishing
• Date de parution: 27 juin 2011
• Nombre de lectures: 2
• EAN13: 9781645080800
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

Endorsements for Global Mission

Evangelical faith has two complementary emphases: the eternal, universal truth revealed in Jesus Christ and the Bible as its written testimony, and the need of a very personal trust in God—the truth adapted into everyone’s everyday life. Thus local theology is as true as global theology, bringing the gospel tradition truthfully and contextualized to every place and every generation. This book is a great tool to help you to achieve this and should be used in any theological training worldwide. Thomas Schirrmacher, Executive Chair, Theological Commission, World Evangelical Alliance and Editor, Evangelical Review of Theology, Germany

The more I work in cross-cultural contexts, the more I am amazed by the variety of God’s people and at the same time just how much my faith is dominated by an English mind-set. This excellent book encourages us to take the time to learn, observe, and understand what it means to follow Christ in different contexts. There are no easy answers, but it is challenging to read of the journeys made by many. Martin Lee, Executive Director, Global Connections, United Kingdom

Both church and mission movements have desperately recognized and discussed the need to be contextual with the gospel, but very few have spelled out “how to do it.” In today’s paradoxical scenario, with many challenges to bring the gospel to all peoples, nurture followers, and establish witnessing clusters, this book of case studies is a welcome effort. I am delighted that it attempts to spell out models for contextualizing the gospel in various aspects to current followers of Christ. I am pleased that these are not just theories but practices from practitioners to be followed in diverse settings. May these case studies bring new brands of Christ disciples, building a mosaic of Jesus followers across the world. I am grateful for the worldwide voices in this book that suggest contextualizing paths and solutions, especially in the Global South. May we all be inspired to move forward to establish the new faces of Jesus followers. K. Rajendran, Chairman, World Evangelical Alliance Mission Commission, India

The many authors of the books of our Scriptures lived and experienced God in their different contexts, generations, and ages. They were faithful to convey to us the reality and various expressions of the words, ways, and works of God from their respective understanding and perspectives. This in turn formed the BODY of the revelation of God we have in the Scriptures. I am convinced similarly that the authors and contributors of the insights and wisdom contained in the pages of this book have also demonstrated a level of faithfulness, understanding, and appreciation of the diverse ways in which the Triune God reveals himself through the ages and in our contemporary times, locations, and contexts. For these reasons I commend this book to the generation of “God-seekers” as a veritable compass and road map as we “seek him and perhaps reach out for him, and find him, though he is not far from each one of us” (Acts 17:27 NIV). Reuben Ezemadu, International Director CMF, INC; Ministry Center Director, DAI Nigeria; Continental Coordinator, Movement of African National Initiatives, Nigeria

This new book represents the best of contemporary evangelical reflection on and practice of contextualization. Built on solid biblical foundations and packed with insight, illustrations, and thought- provoking discussion questions, the essays carefully balance text and context, the local and the global, theology as both universal and “at-home” in every culture. The mature thinking and global breadth of the authors is refreshing evidence that evangelicals have come of age in their contribution to global theologizing. No reader will agree with everything, but the chapters are never dull and will consistently sow seeds of fresh thought and creative approaches for ministry. Steve Strauss, Professor of World Missions and Intercultural Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary, USA

We welcome this companion volume to the Theological Commission’sLocal Theology for the Global Church. It is packed full of practical and realistic examples of contextualization which are sensitive and effective. They are well based in the experience of the writers and grounded in careful missiological thinking, making it a vital contribution to one of the most important aspects of mission today. We highly commend both books. David Parker, Former Executive Director, World Evangelical Alliance Theological Commission, Australia

This book is indeed the fruit of Spirit-led reflections from local mission practitioners who sustain the momentum of global mission, in tune with the timeless Lord’s commission. I highly commend the reading and usage of this book to everyone to mobilize both the local and global church to carry on the noble task of reaching people for Christ with new insights and strategies in various contexts. Understanding and correctly interpreting the contextual worldviews will greatly help to firmly establish believers in the faith