Encountering Theology of Mission: Biblical Foundations, Historical Developments, and Contemporary Issues (Encountering Mission)
Overview
This fresh, comprehensive text fills a need for an up-to-date theology of mission. The authors, who are leading mission experts, discuss biblical theology of mission, provide historical overviews of the development of various viewpoints, and address current theological issues in global mission from an evangelical perspective. They offer creative approaches to answering some of the most pressing questions in theology of mission and missionary practice today.
Readable yet thorough, Encountering Theology of Mission 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. Topics covered include contextualization, the missionary vocation, church and mission, and theology of religions. Case studies enable readers to see how theology of mission touches real-life mission practice. This unique text will benefit mission leaders, missionaries, professors, and students.
The authors begin by examining the contemporary context for mission work, including the recognition that the world’s mission fields are in constant and often rapid flux. They then discuss various aspects of preparing oneself for the mission field, beginning with home-front preparations and moving to on-the-field preparations. The final section deals with practical issues of missionary life and its unique challenges. The text is supplemented with case studies and many helpful sidebars for reflection and discussion.
With the Logos Bible Software edition, you have unprecedented access to resources that offer relatable and insightful material on Christian missions. The powerful search tools in your digital library help you locate the specific material relevant to you, whether it is textual or topical. Hours of biblical research can be accomplished with the simple click of a mouse. All Scripture passages in this volume link to your favorite Bible translation in your library. You can perform powerful searches by topic and find what other authors, pastors, and theologians have to say, making this series ideal for studying contemporary missions.
- Offers a contemporary view on missions
- Provides insight on missions’ trends, developments, and issues
- Analyzes the theology of mission
- Biblical Foundations of Mission
- God and the Nations in the Old Testament
- God and the Nations in the New Testament
- The Justification of Mission: Missio Dei
- The Purpose and Nature of Mission
- The Task of Missions: Convictions and Controversy
- The Task of Missions: Convergence and Conclusions
- Motives and Means for Mission
- The Motivation for Missions
- The Church and Mission
- The Missionary Vocation
- Spiritual Dynamics and Mission
- Mission in Local and Global Context
- Contextualization and Mission
- Christian Encounter with Other Religions: Toward an Evangelical Theology of Religions
- The Necessity of Mission: Three Uncomfortable Questions
Top Highlights
“Second, proclamation apart from discipleship, church planting, and kingdom concerns truncates the Great Commission.” (Page 112)
“The task of missions is the creation and expansion of kingdom communities among all the peoples of the earth.” (Page 156)
“Church planting cannot be understood as the advancement of a particular religious institution, denomination, or organization.” (Page 119)
“We will use the term mission to describe the sending activity of God with the purpose of reconciling to himself and bringing into his kingdom fallen men and women from every people, nation, and tongue.” (Pages xv–xvii)
“Third, proclamation that emphasizes a ‘decision’ apart from the lordship of Christ misunderstands biblical conversion.” (Page 112)
Good maps can be hard to find. Thankfully Craig Ott, Stephen Strauss, and Timothy Tennent have drawn up a comprehensive yet easy-to-navigate guide to the complex terrain of theologizing about Christian mission. It is hard to imagine a more careful presentation of this vast subject.
—J. Nelson Jennings, associate editor, International Bulletin of Missionary Research
This globalized world needs a relevant theology of mission that articulates a cogent ‘biblical direction for the church’s fulfillment of its missionary mandate.’ This excellent book by Ott, Strauss, and Tennent moves us from a paternalistic mind-set to a fraternal one that seeks to proclaim Christ from everywhere, to everywhere. I would strongly commend this book not only to professors and students in seminaries but also to practitioners and missions committees in local churches so that our understanding and practice of mission remains cutting edge as we seek to fulfill the Great Commission in our generation.
—Junias Venugopal, provost and dean of education, Moody Bible Institute
Deep gratitude to our three writers for a rich and textured work! It is rooted in Scripture, history, and context; it is challenging yet very readable; it is antiphonal—moving from theology and theory to the highly practical and engaging—with some excellent sidebars and case studies. Although the book will be seen as a text by some, I would highly recommend this book to my global colleagues, the reflective practitioners of mission today.
—William D. Taylor, global ambassador, World Evangelical Alliance
There is much to commend here. The authors demonstrate a strong Trinitarian emphasis and helpfully elaborate on the Trinitarian foundation of the Christian mission. . . . The section on globalized theology . . . is quite encouraging. . . . One excellent feature that runs throughout the entire book is the inclusion of numerous sidebars and case studies for further reflection to assist in distilling the material. . . . Those who are looking for a solidly evangelical, informed, theological elaboration of mission need look no further than this volume.
—Evangelical Missions Quarterly
The authors have offered a fresh, well-written theology of mission for our times. In addition to college and seminary students, I think that pastors, missions pastors, and lay people will also benefit from this fine book.
—Criswell Theological Review
Craig Ott is a professor of mission and intercultural studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, where he occupies the chair of mission and evangelism department. He is the coeditor of Globalizing Theology.
Stephen J. Strauss is the department chair and professor of world missions and intercultural studies at Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas. He previously served with Serving in Mission (SIM) for over 27 years, most recently as its US director.
Timothy C. Tennent is president of Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky.