Overview
This fresh, comprehensive text fills a need for an up-to-date theology of mission. It offers creative approaches to answering some of the most pressing questions in theology of mission and missionary practice today. The authors, who are leading mission experts, discuss biblical theology of mission, provide historical overviews of the development of various viewpoints, and address theologically current issues in global mission from an evangelical perspective. This readable yet thorough text integrates current views of the kingdom of God and holistic mission with traditional views of evangelism and church planting. It also brings theology of mission into conversation with ecclesiology and eschatology. Topics covered include contextualization, the missionary vocation, church and mission, and theology of religions. Sidebars and case studies enable readers to see how theology of mission touches real-life mission practice.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Part One: Biblical Foundations of Mission
1. God and the Nations in the Old Testament
2. God and the Nations in the New Testament
3. The Justification of Mission: Missio Dei
4. The Purpose and Nature of Mission
5. The Task of Missions: Convictions and Controversy
6. The Task of Missions: Convergence and Conclusions
Part Two: Motives and Means for Mission
7. The Motivation for Missions
8. Church and Mission
9. The Missionary Vocation
10. Spiritual Dynamics and Mission
Part Three: Mission in Local and Global Context
11. Contextualization and Mission
12. Christian Encounter with Other Religions: Toward an Evangelical Theology of Religions
13. The Necessity of Mission: Three Uncomfortable Questions
References
Indexes
Part One: Biblical Foundations of Mission
1. God and the Nations in the Old Testament
2. God and the Nations in the New Testament
3. The Justification of Mission: Missio Dei
4. The Purpose and Nature of Mission
5. The Task of Missions: Convictions and Controversy
6. The Task of Missions: Convergence and Conclusions
Part Two: Motives and Means for Mission
7. The Motivation for Missions
8. Church and Mission
9. The Missionary Vocation
10. Spiritual Dynamics and Mission
Part Three: Mission in Local and Global Context
11. Contextualization and Mission
12. Christian Encounter with Other Religions: Toward an Evangelical Theology of Religions
13. The Necessity of Mission: Three Uncomfortable Questions
References
Indexes
Authors
Craig Ott
Craig Ott (PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is professor of mission and intercultural studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois, where he also directs the PhD program in intercultural studies. He has written or edited numerous books, including The Church on Mission.
Stephen J. Strauss
Stephen J. Strauss (1955-2013; PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) was professor of world missions and intercultural studies at Dallas Theological Seminary. He previously served with Serving in Mission (SIM) for over twenty-seven years.
Timothy C. Tennent
Timothy C. Tennent (PhD, University of Edinburgh) is president of Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky, where he also serves as professor of world Christianity.