Missions

From the Editor: Proselytism and Persecution

Vol. 7, No. 1 (Spring 2009)

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

Vol. 7, No. 1 (Spring 2009)

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.

Conversion, Witness, Solidarity, Dialogue: Modes of the Evangelizing Church in Tension

Vol. 7, No. 1 (Spring 2009)

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?

From Bible Bombardment to Incarnational Evangelism: A Reflection on Christian Witness and Persecution

Vol. 7, No. 1 (Spring 2009)

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.

Contextual Conversion: An Anthropological Perspective

Vol. 7, No. 1 (Spring 2009)

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.

The Fragrance of Christ: A Case Study of Minority Witness in Asia

Vol. 7, No. 1 (Spring 2009)

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.

Comparative Witness: Christian Mission and Islamic Da‘wah

Vol. 7, No. 1 (Spring 2009)

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.

Balancing Religious Freedom and Cultural Preservation

Vol. 6, No. 2 (Summer 2008)

José Casanova Sunday, 1 June 2008

The U.S. can set an example of religious freedom as it exhibits "global denominationalism"—a social system where religious groups respect other faiths even while promoting their own truth claims.