Global Mission and the Challenge of Theological Catholicity
Darrell L. Guder“As early as 1932, Karl Barth proclaimed the essentially missionary nature of the church and its importance for the discipline of theology in his important lecture at the Brandenburg Missionary Conference, “Theology and Mission in the Present Situation.” Arguably, Barth’s decision to rename his Dogmatics as Church Dogmatics is to some degree a reflection of his own recognition of the importance of the church’s theological mission.”
The Face of God in Suffering: Iraq
Olga Yaqob, MVM
“Growing up in Iraq, where people have lived through many wars, I have experienced the life of
living the Word of God. Living a life of suffering with my people in Iraq for more than twenty
years, I have seen not only God’s words and promises alive but also his face.”
Toward a Christological Missiology Today with the Guide-Who-Stands-Aside: India
J. Jayakiran Sebastian“In recent years, missiological thinking increasingly has been forced to confront the fear, almost
hysteria, being whipped up by central and state governments, especially those directly and indirectly
linked with aggressively nationalistic and unashamedly fundamentalist Hindu organizations, on the
issue of ‘conversion.’”
Reflections on the Church and HIV/AIDS: South Africa
Beverley Haddad“Before 1994, the church in South Africa was forced to confront the demon of apartheid that led
to racial division within its own ranks. Ten years later, we are facing a new challenge—the
HIV/AIDS pandemic.”
Globalization and Christian Responses: Korea
Guen Seok-Yang“The word “globalization” began to be mentioned by policy-makers in Korea in the early 1990s.
The civil government that emerged after a long military dictatorship took “Segehwa,” its own
translation of globalization, as its long-term policy target. At that time, the word “globalization”
still had a rosy glow.”
Protestantism’s Perduring Preoccupation with Western Theological Texts: Japan
Thomas John Hastings“After I was appointed as a PC (USA) mission coworker to Japan in 1988, a veteran Japanese
pastor gave me some sage advice. Looking me in the eye, he said with a smile, “Welcome to
Rome in AD 130.” Although I never forgot his words, it took many years to grasp their depth.”
Missiological Challenges of the HIV/AIDS Era: Kenya
Esther Mombo“Here is a story from Kenya: Salome was married to a man who was a carpenter in the city. She
lived in the village looking after their small farm. Her husband got sick and died of an HIV/AIDSrelated illness. She did not know that she was also infected with the virus. . . .”
From “Civilizing” to Colonizing to Respectfully Collaborating? New Zealand
Jenny Plane Te Paa“Whenever I introduce my overseas friends to my context (in all its infinite complexities), I usually preface the visual introduction to the people, the land, the sea, and the mountains by good humoredly clarifying that one cannot be Maori and descended from the tribal area to which I belong and not also be Mihinare! Translated, this means virtually all Maori from my ancestral village area are also Anglicans. Such is the legacy of historic missionary activity.”
The Medium & The Message: Theology and Film
James M. Wall“Movies are important to the American public. And yet, movies are often dismissed by many academics and religionists who disdainfully say that, since movies are products of pop culture, why should the religious community give them time, energy, and, in our publications, space?”
Crossing Boundaries: Theological Meditations on Ephesians 2:11–22
Amy Plantinga Pauw“I admit that the premise of this new journal feature, ‘Crossing Boundaries,’ gives me pause. If reflection on Scripture by a Christian theologian constitutes a crossing of disciplinary boundaries, then theology is in worse shape than I thought! I would hope that theologians have not relinquished Scripture as a “primary text” of their discipline. Yet, in contrast to biblical scholars, theologians are most interested in the historical labyrinths of scriptural appropriation and argument, and in the capacity of contemporary communities of faith to submit to Scripture’s judgment. These are the concerns that will guide my approach to Ephesians 2:11–22.”