Global Mission: Reflections and Case Studies
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.
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Enjoy a colorful tapestry of contextualization theory and theological critique together with powerful real-life stories from many lands. Biblical contextualization--the Word to the world--is the core of this book. This is a book for everyone who is concerned about how to bring the Word to every culture and tongue faithfully, creatively, and relevantly.
— Patrick Fung, General Director, OMF International, Singapore -
Congratulations and thanks are due to Rosemary Dowsett and those who brought together this remarkable cast of contributors. This is a wonderfully comprehensive survey of how the seed of the eternal gospel takes root in all kinds of historical and cultural soils, bearing good fruit in the power of God's Spirit and for the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. The book is truly global in its scope but local in its focus, and thoroughly biblical and theological in its foundations.
— Christopher J. H. Wright, International Director, Langham Partnership International, United Kingdom -
A few years ago while preaching a message in the sweltering heat of downtown Kinshasa, DRC, in a full suit and tie, the thought struck me, "I wonder who brought the gospel to the people of the DRC?" If I had worn anything else but this suit, my listeners would have been highly offended. I found this book on contextualization so riveting because it deals with the core issues of communicating the gospel in credible ways that do not detract from its essence and yet help the recipients to understand God's truth. Every church leader and every leader of a Christian organization should read this book, as it will greatly aid their understanding and communication of the gospel. I just love the diversity of the contributors to this book.
— Peter Taranthal, WENSA (World Evangelization Network of South Africa) Chairman MANI (Movement for African National Initiatives) Coordinator for Southern Africa Emerging Mission Movements Director for Operation mobilization, South Africa -
The WEA-Mission Commission has done it again--a one-stop resource on a topic of vital importance to the world Christian movement. There is something about the collective wisdom of the many who have thought long and hard on an important topic like contextualization that gives it unusual value. This is especially true when global voices chime in on the topic and local applications are detailed through interesting case studies. The value of this book is the depth and cultural breadth with which contextualization is handled.
— Marvin J. Newell, Executive Director, CrossGlobal Link, USA
Foreward by William D. Taylor
Preface by Bertil Ekström
PART ONE: REFLECTIONS AND FOUNDATIONS
Introduction: Rainbow Faith by Rose Dowsett
1. A Biblical Theology of Contextualization by Ronaldo Lidório
2. Looking, Learning, and Living by Paul Woods
3. Contextualization, Indigenization, and Syncretism by Rick Brown
4. Contextual Exegesis by Matthew Cook
5. A Necessarily Wary Enterprise? by Mark Young
6. Multiculturalism in the Church by Paul Coulter
7. Treasures but Not Idols by Miriam Adeney
8. Fruitful Practices in Contextualization by Bob Fish and Gene Daniels
9. Learning Lessons from an Asian Church Leader by Warren Beattie
PART TWO: CONTEXTUALIZATION AT WORK
10. A Personal Journey by Chua How Chuang
11. Personal Reflections on Contextualization by Jim Chew
12. The Transformation of Society by Adama Diouf, translated by J. Bornman
13. Towards a Contextual Theology of the Holy Spirit by Ruth Julian
14. A Korean Christian Memorial Service by David Tai Woong Lee GLOBAL MISSION
15. Guatemala: A Case Study by Hector Pivaral
16. The Pilgrim Church Needs a New Home by Richard Tiplady
17. Theology, Context, and the Filipino Church by Melba Padilla Maggay
18. Can Chopsticks Ever Become Roof-Beams? by Nadine Woods
19. A Cambodian Christmas Celebration by Yuzo Imamura
20. Maupay and the Biblical Shalom by Athena Gorospe
21. New Faces of the Church in India by Paul Joshua Bhakiaraj
22. Contextualization for India’s Majority by Robin and Steve Smith
23. The Gospel and the Practice of Hospitality by Joong-Sik Park
24. How Can We Not Sing for the Lord? by Isaiah Dau
25. Believers in Jesus as Paradigm for a Responsible Pluralistic Theology by Jonas Jørgensen
26. Contexting C5 Contextualization by A Christian Brother
27. Missiology at the Movies by Les Taylor
28. The Konkombas and the Process of Contextualization by Ronaldo Lidório
29. Yanomamo Death Rites by Michael Dawson
30. A Brief Overview of Contextualization by an International Agency
PART THREE: FINAL OBSERVATIONS
31. Post Script by Rose Dowsett
Reference List
Index
Editor
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Rose Dowsett
Rose Dowsett
- Pages: 296
- Publisher:
William Carey Publishing
William Carey Publishing
- Binding: Paperback
- Publish Year: 2011
- Vendor: William Carey Library
