Description: Reflections and Case Studies in Contextualization for the Whole Church
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.
Review Quotes:
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