Vol. 7, No. 1 (Spring 2009)
"Evangelism and the Persecuted Church"—Persecution of Christians is on the rise, even as mission efforts develop complex patterns of sending and receiving, with missionaries going from former colonies to distant continents. Select papers from a co-sponsored conference series are presented here.
From the Editor: Proselytism and Persecution
Dennis Hoover Sunday, 1 March 2009
The Spring 2009 issue addresses proselytism and persecution by affirming the moral and legal legitimacy of evangelism while also insisting on the highest standards of missions methodology. [FREE]
Globalization, Southern Christianity, and Proselytism
Paul Freston Sunday, 1 March 2009
Christianity no longer flows unilaterally, from "Christendom" to "heathendom"; its flows are increasingly complex. Missions from the "Global South" must be assessed in the international context.
Read more: Globalization, Southern Christianity, and Proselytism
Conversion, Witness, Solidarity, Dialogue: Modes of the Evangelizing Church in Tension
R. Scott Appleby, Angela Lederach Sunday, 1 March 2009
There are four specific, often overlapping modes of evangelization in world Christianity: conversion, witness, solidarity, and dialogue. Can religious human rights leaders find common ground?
Read more: Conversion, Witness, Solidarity, Dialogue: Modes of the Evangelizing Church in Tension
Persecuted Post-Western Christianity and the Post-Christian West
Lamin Sanneh Sunday, 1 March 2009
For the sake of persecuted Christians in the Global South and for its own security, the West needs to find a way to understand and engage post-Western religion, including radicalized versions of Islam. [FREE]
Read more: Persecuted Post-Western Christianity and the Post-Christian West
From Bible Bombardment to Incarnational Evangelism: A Reflection on Christian Witness and Persecution
Robert Seiple Sunday, 1 March 2009
In light of ongoing persecution and an unprecedented opportunity to spread the good news, Christians should consider anew their message, motivation, and methodology.
Hospitality Amidst Hostility: An Exhortation to the Persecuted Church
Priscilla Pope-Levison Sunday, 1 March 2009
Hospitality is possible amidst hostility. As a community, the persecuted church can evangelize through dialogue and persuasion, deeds of welcome, and a lifestyle characterized by integrity.
Read more: Hospitality Amidst Hostility: An Exhortation to the Persecuted Church
Contextual Conversion: An Anthropological Perspective
Stephen Bailey Sunday, 1 March 2009
Religion functions differently in high group societies than it does in individualistic societies, and the models of contextual conversion suggested here take societal differences into account.
Read more: Contextual Conversion: An Anthropological Perspective
The Fragrance of Christ: A Case Study of Minority Witness in Asia
Larry Jones Sunday, 1 March 2009
Broadly speaking, there are two methods of witness for Christians in the minority: countercultural witness and engagement. Those in unsympathetic contexts must strive to live out the whole gospel.
Read more: The Fragrance of Christ: A Case Study of Minority Witness in Asia
Comparative Witness: Christian Mission and Islamic Da‘wah
J. Dudley Woodberry Sunday, 1 March 2009
Christians seeking a wiser witness, especially in Muslim-majority societies, should have a firm understanding of their own Scriptures and mission tradition, as well as that of Islam.
Read more: Comparative Witness: Christian Mission and Islamic Da‘wah
Why Theology in International Affairs?
Max Stackhouse Sunday, 1 March 2009
A response to Robert Nelson's review of Max Stackhouse's book Globalization and Grace [God and Globalization, Volume 4].