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
Endorsements
“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, mission pastor and consultant, Onnuri Community Church, Seoul, South Korea
“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
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 professor of world Christianity in the E. Stanley Jones School of Mission and Ministry at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. He previously served as the president of Asbury.