Publications

Permanent URI for this collection

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13057/2

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 423

1 Corinthians 8.4-6: An Inter-cultural Reading from the Political Context of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
(David Pub, 2017) Kwon, Oh-Young
This article explores an inter-cultural reading of 1 Corinthians 8.4-6 from the political and ideological contexts of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (or North Korea; DPRK afterwards) today. The Pauline passage (1 Cor 8.4-6) indicates Roman imperialism and the Imperial cult(s) that had a heavy impact upon the life of people (including Christ-believers) in Roman Corinth of the first century CE. In Roman Imperial cult(s), the Roman emperors were worshipped as divine, and people in the Roman Empire were compelled (at least by social pressure) to honor them as gods. This notion is, to some extent, reflected in the Pauline language—“there may be so-called gods…on earth…there are many gods and many lords” (1 Cor 8.5). The Roman emperors would be seen as amongst these many gods and these many lords in the Pauline description. The DPRK’s culture and society is primarily shaped on the foundation of Juche ideology. The Juche literarily means “self-reliance” and emphasizes the DPRK’s independence from other countries in terms of its political, ideological, and economic systems. Furthermore, in this Juche ideology Kim Il Sung the founder of the DPRK’s communism is claimed as a divine figure, and the people of the DPRK are compelled to venerate and worship him. The discovery of such social, cultural, and religious similarities in the two polarizing contexts encourages me to attempt inter-cultural dialogues between the Christ-believers in first century Corinth and the people of the DPRK today, who appear to see the Juche ideology as the religion officially constituted and recognized in their country today. This attempt makes a contribution to recent Asian Biblical scholarship that would acknowledge and encourage Asian Christians and scholars to read Christian Scriptures from Asian cultural, social, religious, and political contexts.
A Bastard in the Royal Family: Wither Mission?
(Theological Students’ Fellowship, 2010) Flett, John
"Flett highlights the incongruity between statements of the missionary nature of the church and the subordinate position assigned the subject by the theological guild. He locates the problem in the mistaken assumption that mission is a temporary activity, a means and not an end. The theological warrant for mission is not an external command of God confined to this age, but rather, Flett argues, God’s own life of self-witness." - Cambria Janae Kaltwasser
A Commission ‘Great’ for Whom? Postcolonial Contrapuntal Readings of Matthew 28:18–20 and the Irony of William Carey
(Sage, 2016) Cronshaw, Darren
Arguably, the modern missionary movement’s foundational text, the ‘Great Commission’ of Matthew 28:18–20 has been criticized for its use in legitimizing colonial oppression. Focusing on reception history in South Asian polycolonial contexts, this article uses ‘Saidian’ contrapuntal reading to explore whether and for whom the commission is ‘great’? William Carey used it as a proof-text in his ‘Enquiry’ for Christians to engage in foreign mission. RS Sugirtharajah brings a postcolonial critique to Carey, but Saugata Bhaduri appreciates the unintended de-colonizing consequences of Carey’s vernacular literature. Jayachitra Lalitha questions why women were absent in Matthew 28:18–20 and why Dalit women still struggle. George Soares-Prabhu’s reading alongside a Buddhist text suggests more integral mission and liberation. Despite colonialism’s distorting affect, there is historical irony in Matthew 28’s influence in South India. Contrapuntal conversations helpfully focus on the well-being of overlooked groups and recover some of the resistance implicit in Matthew’s composition.
A Contemporary Theology of Local Church Mission (in Global Perspective)
(Morling Press, 2015-05) Lyons-Lee, Brent; Smith, Ryan; Cronshaw, Darren; Wilkinson-Hayes, Anne; Chatelier, David; Wilkinson-Hayes, Anne; Cronshaw, Darren; Jackson, Darrell
The Baptist Union of Victoria (BUV), in common with many churches and denominations in the Western world, is realising it meeds to revisit its purpose – what is its earthy use? Inspired by Micah 6:8, the BUV Mission Catalyst team has developed a contemporary theology of local church mission, in global perspective. Local church mission is firstly spiritual and starts with discipleship and listening to God (walking humbly with God). Second, local church mission is radically inclusive of people and groups across all sorts of boundaries and especially cultural diversity (loving kindness). Third, local church mission is transformational and fosters peace or shalom in our neighbourhoods and our world (committed to doing justice). The local church in mission ought to be good news and caring for individuals, communities, society and the environment.
A dialogue between Haizi's poetry and the Gospel of Luke: Chinese "Homecoming" and the relationship with Jesus Christ
(Brill, 2018) Yang, Xiaoli
In A Dialogue between Haizi’s Poetry and the Gospel of Luke Xiaoli Yang offers a conversation between the Chinese soul-searching found in Haizi’s (1964–1989) poetry and the gospel of Jesus Christ through Luke’s testimony. It creates a unique contextual poetic lens that appreciates a generation of the Chinese homecoming journey through Haizi’s poetry, and explores its relationship with Jesus Christ. As the dialogical journey, it names four stages of homecoming—roots, vision, journey and arrival. By taking an interdisciplinary approach—literary study, inter-cultural dialogue and comparative theology, Xiaoli Yang convincingly demonstrates that the common language between the poet Haizi and the Lukan Jesus provides a crucial and rich source of data for an ongoing table conversation between culture and faith.
A National Researcher of Global Significance
(Christian Research Association, 2016-06) Jackson, Darrell; Hughes, Philip
This chapter reviews the contribution of Rev Dr Philip Hughes to the activities of the International Lausanne Researchers' Network, of which he was a former chair.
A Paradigm Shift in the Understanding of the Church and Its Mission. A Phenomenological Analysis
(Missionswissenschaftliches Instiut der SVD, 2002) Mantovani, Ennio
A Reflective Practitioner’s Methodology for Emerging Church Research
(Australian Evangelical Alliance, 2011-09) Cronshaw, Darren
This article describes and evaluates the methodology of a research project that investigated emerging churches in Melbourne. The research used a linked set of four case studies with mainly qualitative methods; participant-observation, document analysis, interviews of pastors and key leaders, and focus group interviews with participants. The article considers the significant strengths of this approach and some limitations. The insights of the researcher as a reflective practitioner, and the bias of this sort of insider’s perspective, is considered, as is a dilemma that arose after one of the case studies developed internal conflict during the data-collection phase. The research also used some quantitative methods – a questionnaire survey and the 2006 National Church Life Survey – but with limited useful results. The research concluded that emerging churches can be categorised as ‘learning organisations’ drawing on Peter Senge, and that they have good strengths to build on and some weaknesses to beware. But apart from the value of the research findings, the project was a useful exercise in learning qualitative research and helped the researcher both renew passion for ministry and learn new leadership skills. This reflection focuses on lessons from the methodology in the hope that it will be useful for other researchers or students of practical theology wanting to understand the dynamics and dilemmas involved in the design and practice of qualitative research.
A Review of Craig Ott's 'The Mission of the Church: Five Views in Conversation'
(Overseas Ministries Study Centre, 2017) Flett, John
Book Review.
A Review of Mark Noll’s 'The New Shape of World Christianity: How American Experience Reflects Global Faith'
(Cambridge University Press, NY, 2012-11) Flett, John
Of all the theological fields, southern Christianity's growth is making the greatest methodological impact on the study of church history. Insofar as the formation of American society meant the rise of a 'more fluid type of faith' compared to 'centralized, strongly denominational and carefully structured forms of Christianity' (p. 92), this form lends itself to indigenous expression. The argument seems to function as a loose apology for retaining a place for America within the global story of Christianity.
A Review of Martin Reppenhagen’s 'Auf dem Weg zu einer missionalen Kirche: Die Diskussion um eine “missional church” in den USA’
(World Council of Churches, 2013) Flett, John
Book Review.
A Review of Paul Barnett's 'Paul: Missionary of Jesus: After Jesus vol. 2'
(Princeton Theological Seminary, 2009) Flett, John
A review of Barnett's study of St. Paul.
A Review of Sebastian C. H. Kim's 'Theology in the Public Sphere: Public Theology as a Catalyst for Open Debate'
(Overseas Ministries Study Centre, 2013-07) Flett, John
Book Review.
A Review of William R. Burrows, et al., (eds.) 'Understanding World Christianity: The Vision and Work of Andrew F. Walls.'
(Brill, 2013) Flett, John
Book Review.
A Theology of Missio Dei
(University of St. Andrews, 2014) Flett, John
A Time to Celebrate Achievements … and to Tackle the Next Big Challenge – Dialogue
(Sri Ramanuja Mission Trust, 2013-10-12) Fry, Ian; Fry, Ian
This paper is written in the context of a celebration of the achievements of Sri Ramanuja Mission Trust and its founder, Swamy Chaturvedi. It discusses the challenge for governments that have responsibility for education, training and community services at all levels in a nation in which one in every five people is a child under ten, another one in four are under 20, only one in three people are in the prime working period of 20 to 45 years of age, and only one in five are in the senior management pool of 45 to 65 which provides most political leaders. It notes that they come under pressure from commercial interests, especially those in the non-essential consumer goods sector, tourism and hospitality, and arms and defence procurement industries. It then refers to the added strains caused by the inversion of relationships between the White Western Christian Bloc and the World Majority Peoples, and the need for development of greater community cohesion through programs of dialogue between each of its faiths.
A Vision for Effective Youth Ministry:Insights from Australian Research
(Christian Research Association, 2015) Reid, Stephen; Fraser, Margaret; Hughes, Philip
Many young Australians are struggling with issues of mental health, anxiety about the future, and addictions to drugs. Behind these struggles are often questions of what life is all about. Youth ministry is more important today than at any time in recent history. Yet, many churches are finding it difficult to connect with youth beyond those whose families are involved in the church. This book has arisen out of Australian research into youth ministry, from visiting youth groups and talking with youth leaders and the youth themselves. It offers a vision for the development of youth ministry, recognising the diversity of youth and the backgrounds from which they come. It explores how to build a youth ministry team and the qualities needed in the team. It discusses issues of training, payment, and support for youth leaders and building bridges with parents, church and school. What are the factors which will really make a difference in developing youth ministry? Based on research, our conclusions are: •The vision for developing the spirit of young people •The commitment of the whole church to youth ministry •The youth ministry team with strong relationships with God, each other, the youth, parents, the church and the wider society; •A diversity of activities: both age-specific and intergenerational for fun, friends, inquiry and developing the spirit.
A VISION OF FAITH FOR ASIA New Evangelisation in a Muslim Context.
(Missionswissenschaftliches Instiut der SVD, 2014) Prior, John
After a brief look at the history of the term “new evangelisation,” this paper takes up contemporary issues in Muslim majority Indo-nesia through the thinking and practice of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) using the dictum of John Paul II, “new in ardour, methods and expressions.” Indonesia is a secular State where Islâm is resurgent. While Islâm and Christianity main-tain a public role in each sphere of Indonesian life, religion is de-creasingly present in an increasing number of sectors. Regarding renewing ardour: in the face of consumerist, materialistic values we need to return to Gospel values, to the Beatitudes, to voluntary pov-erty while working to eradicate enforced, unjust destitution. This calls for a spirituality of dialogue and engagement. A biblical spi-rituality grows from social involvement, a spirituality of the Reign of God in which we encounter Allah as source of life (abba) who ac-companies humanity on its earthly pilgrimage (dhabar), inspiring us with new ardour (ruah). Regarding renewing methods: are we slowly but surely advancing towards a dialogal, participatory and co-responsible church? Are we holding on to the Gospel vision of a community of equals, sisters and brothers of Jesus the Nazarene, daughters and sons of the one, living God, alive in the Spirit? And in renewing our faith expressions: we need a common language with Muslims in which we can work towards ever increasing common values.
Acts 11:19–30, 13:1–3: Diaspora, Ethnic Diversity, and the Mission of the Church
(William Carey Library, 2016-05) Jackson, Darrell; Kim, Jinbong; Baker, Dwight P
The historical narratives in Acts 11 that relate the experience of the church in Antioch illuminate several intersecting themes that are of enduring concern to the mission of God. These include ethnic diversity, diaspora, the missionary calling of the church, and the call to fruitfulness and growth. Whilst the focus of this study rests upon the first two of these themes, the third and fourth of these themes will be seen to have particular relevance to the overall theme being explored in this Forum.
An Aesthetic Dance: When the Poet Haizi Meets with Jesus
(2022-11-09) Yang, Xiaoli

Browse

Browsing Publications by Subject "D - Missiology"

Results Per Page

Sort Options