Against the Tide: Mission Amidst the Global Currents of Secularization

by Jay W Moon (Editor), Craig Ott (Editor)

Overview

With increased globalization and modernization reaching into the furthest corners of the earth also comes the influence of secularization. These three tides of influence impact traditional religious beliefs, practices, and institutions in significant ways. Some modernizing societies see religion on the decline, while others find it thriving in surprising ways. This collection of essays presents the opportunities and the challenges of secularization for the mission of the Church, with hopeful signs and reassurance that God is still at work in a secularizing world. Readers will find both analysis and guidance that will assist the Church in an informed, missional engagement with secularization in a variety of contexts-starting with North America, then Europe, Asia, and Africa. Each local church and mission organization must discern the appropriate missional response for evangelism, discipleship, congregational life, and social involvement. To be Against the Tide means regaining your voice, as a church on mission, informed by your context and inspired by the responses of others in theirs.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781645081760
Publisher:	William Carey Publishing
Publication date:	09/01/2019
Series:	Evangelical Missiological Society , #27
Pages:	228
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.48(d)

About the Author

W. Jay Moon (PhD Asbury Theological Seminary) is professor of church planting and evangelism at Asbury Theological Seminary where he is also director of the Office of Faith, Work, and Economics. He has authored and edited several books including Intercultural Discipleship: Learning from Global Approaches to Spiritual Formation.                                                                                                                                                               
Craig Ott (PhD Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is professor of mission and intercultural studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, where he also directs the PhD program in intercultural studies. He is author and editor of numerous publications including most recently The Church on Mission: A Biblical Vision for Transformation among All People.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

Craig Ott

GLOSSARY: Key Terms Related to Secularization

CHAPTER 1—Secularization, Multiple Modernities, and Religion

Harold A. Netland

CHAPTER 2—Embracing Plurality: The Opportunity of Secularization

Shawn P. Behan

CHAPTER 3—Engaging the Secular Mind: An Urgent Call to the American Church

Raphael Anzenberger

CHAPTER 4—Evangelism in a Secular Age: Complexities and Opportunities

W. Jay Moon

CHAPTER 5—Against the Tide: Churches Reaching Emerging Adult “Nones” and “Dones” in Secularizing North America

Beth Seversen

CHAPTER 6—(Re)Connecting with Secular Society

Steve Thrall

CHAPTER 7—Germany’s Refugee Response: Implications for Ministry in a Secularized World

Steven B. Kern

CHAPTER 8—Mission and Evangelism in the Desecularizing World of the Russian Federation

Marc T. Canner

CHAPTER 9—A Chinese Modernity: What Feng Shui, Ancestors, Mazu, Buddhism, and Mao Can Teach Us about a Different Kind of Secularization

Tony Chih-Chao Chuang

CHAPTER 10—Toward What End?: An Evaluation of Religion in Liberia’s Public Sphere and Its Implications for Evangelism and Discipleship

Boye-Nelson Kiamu

Contributors

Editorial Reviews

This edited volume addresses a very timely topic and, thankfully, includes international perspectives. Most of us are aware that our world has changed socially, politically, and culturally, but we might find ourselves overwhelmed by the challenge of engaging effectively in this transformed environment. Against the Tide helps us understand what is happening and how we might "do mission" in this disruptive milieu. Rich Starcher, PhD, editor-in-chief, Missiology: An International Review; professor of intercultural education & missiology, Biola University

This edited volume addresses a very timely topic and, thankfully, includes international perspectives. Most of us are aware that our world has changed socially, politically, and culturally, but we might find ourselves overwhelmed by the challenge of engaging effectively in this transformed environment. Against the Tide helps us understand what is happening and how we might "do mission" in this disruptive milieu.

Rich Starcher, PhD

editor-in-chief, Missiology: An International Review

professor of intercultural education & missiology, Biola University

From the Publisher