Encountering Theology of Mission: Biblical Foundations, Historical Developments, and Contemporary Issues

by Craig Ott, Stephen J. Strauss, Timothy C. Tennent, A. Scott Moreau

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801026621
Publisher:	Baker Publishing Group
Publication date:	05/01/2010
Series:	Encountering Mission
Pages:	414
Sales rank:	693,867
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Craig Ott (PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is professor of mission and intercultural studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois, where he occupies the ReachGlobal Chair of Mission. He has over twenty years of missionary experience. 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 (PhD, University of Edinburgh) is president of Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky, where he also serves as professor of world Christianity.

Table of Contents

Preface vii

Abbreviations ix

Introduction xi

Part 1 Biblical Foundations of Mission

1 God and the Nations in the Old Testament 3

2 God and the Nations in the New Testament 25

3 The Justification of Mission: Missio Dei 55

4 The Purpose and Nature of Mission 79

5 The Task of Missions: Convictions and Controversy 106

6 The Task of Missions: Convergence and Conclusions 137

Part 2 Motives and Means for Mission

7 The Motivation for Missions 165

8 The Church and Mission 192

9 The Missionary Vocation 217

10 Spiritual Dynamics and Mission 238

Part 3 Mission in Local and Global Context

11 Contextualization and Mission 265

12 Christian Encounter with Other Religions: Toward an Evangelical Theology of Religions 292

13 The Necessity of Mission: Three Uncomfortable Questions 317

References 339

Scripture Index 361

Subject Index 371