Global Mission: Reflections and Case Studies
Show Table of Contents
by: Rose Dowsett (Editor)
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.
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.
Endorsements
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 FungGeneral Director, OMF International, SingaporeCongratulations 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. WrightInternational Director, Langham Partnership International, United KingdomA 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 TaranthalWENSA (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 AfricaThe 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. NewellExecutive Director, CrossGlobal Link, USA
Additional Details
- Pages: 256
- Publisher: William Carey Library
- Binding: Paperback
- Publish Year: 2011
- ISBN: 9780878085323
- Vendor: William Carey Library
