Proclaiming the Peacemaker: The Malaysian Church as an Agent of Reconciliation in a Multicultural Society

by Peter Rowan

Overview

With a history of racial violence and in recent years, low-level ethnic tensions, the themes of peaceful coexistence and social harmony are recurring ones in the discourse of Malaysian society. In such a context, this book looks at the role of the church as a reconciling agent, arguing that a reconciling presence within a divided society necessitates an ethos of peacemaking. Such an ethos is created and sustained when Christians understand that their identity has been transformed in Jesus Christ. With a combination of theological, historical and sociological perspectives Rowan sets out to demonstrate that being an agent of reconciliation is linked to how effective we are in bearing witness to an identity given by Christ.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781911372530
Publisher:	Regnum Studies in Mission
Publication date:	03/01/2012
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	293
File size:	2 MB

Table of Contents

Contents vii

Acknowledgements ix

Foreword xi

Introduction 1

Stating the Problem 1

The Rationale for the Study 3

The Missiological Framework for the Study 4

The Methodology of the Study 6

The Limitations of the Study 7

The Structure of the Study 9

The Personal Dimensions of the Study 10

Chapter 1 The Theology of Reconciliation and its Importance in the Theology of Mission 11

Reconciliation: en vogue in the Global Context 11

The Meaning of 'Reconciliation' 15

How Important is Reconciliation in the New Testament? 17

The Main Contours of Reconciliation in Paul 25

Mission as Reconciliation 34

Conclusion 51

Chapter 2 The Socio-historical Context of the Church in Malaysia 53

Diversity in the Making 53

Issues Facing Malaysia Today 86

Challenges Facing the Malaysian Church in its Socio-Historical Context 95

Conclusion 108

Chapter 3 The Socio-political Context of Malaysia as Reflected in the Findings of a Survey on Attitudes of Malaysian Christians to the Church's Role in Malaysian Society 109

Method 110

Description of the Data 124

Conclusion: So What? 139

A Survey On Church & Society 142

Chapter 4 Seven Key Issues Identified and Explored 145

Seven Key Themes for Missiological Reflection 146

Conclusion 197

Chapter 5 Identity and the Ethos of Peacemaking 199

Strategy or Spirituality? 199

Identity as a Theological Priority 204

The Substance of Identity 205

The Dimensions of Christian Identity 207

Bonhoeffer's Perspectives on Identity and Peace 228

Conclusion 237

Conclusions and Recommendations 239

Christian Identity and its Importance for Reconciliation in the Malaysian Context: Some Conclusions 239

Recommendations for Further Research 242

Bibliography 245

Name Index 261

Subject Index 265