I was reading a post from "Wasted Evangelism" on George Leile (or Lisle or Liele or Sharp) (1750–1828). The article is HERE. He was the first American Missionary to serve in another nation... in this case, Jamaica. He was an emancipated slave, who actually sold himself back into slavery (indentured servitude) to be able to …
Month: February 2017
Slow Food and Slow Missions
Before reading this little post, I hope you will take the time to read the excellent article: "Be Patient, Missions is Urgent" by Josh Manley An quote from this article worth meditating on is: "Among other things, Paul’s priorities teach us this: The urgency of the mission requires patience to ensure that the integrity of the mission is not undermined. Undermined by …
In Search of Missions’ Flexible Boundaries
So what constitutes "missions"? This is a continuing argument between me and myself. I am working on a book on Mission Theology. One of the many aspects of Mission Theology has to do with what are the boundary lines of what we call "missions." Some might see this as an irrelevant concern... or perhaps just …
Lack of Early Protestant Missions
For three centuries (of five centuries) of the Protestant movement, there was little to no foreign missions. Why was this? There are a number of theories. Catholics during that time saw the lack of mission vigor as evidence of the illegitimacy of the Protestant movement. This argument actually held some merit... at least until things …
Contextual Theology Presentation (2017 version)
Made a few changes and updates, especially in the criteria for evaluation of local (contextual) theologies.
The 1960s— a Turbulent Time for Missions Theology
The 1960s was an important decade for a number of reasons. Though down the list for many, the transformation of Missions Theology during this time was huge. Sometimes, it seems like a lot of changes happened back in the 1920s and 1930s. During this time there was disillusionment with "Christendom," and Christian missions as a …
Continue reading The 1960s— a Turbulent Time for Missions Theology
Cultural Perspective and the Prodigal Son
Osobo O. Otaigbe, in his book "Building Cultural Intelligence in Church and Ministry," tells a story from Mark Powell regarding different cultural responses to the Parable of the Prodigal Son. Numerous Christians from three nations (United States, Russia, and Tanzania) were told the story, and asked about the story. The question was why did the …
Maybe a “Cross-cultural Minister”?
In our Mission Research class it came up a second time. Should there be missionaries serving here in the Philippines? After all, if over 90% of Filipinos self-identify as Christians, are they needed? If one identifies missionaries in terms of the Biblical role of apostle-- evangelist and churchplanter-- they are unnecessary in much of the …
“Silence” is Indeed Golden
I rarely see a movie that really challenges my thoughts and perceptions. "Silence" directed by Martin Scorsese is just such a beautiful, horrific, and challenging movie. For me, part of its beauty is in its horror. I have not read the book, the 1966 novel by Shusaku Endo. I rather judge a book than a movie, …