There are an increasing number of missionaries and church leaders in Africa and Europe whose views of the gospel and the principle of submission are not very clear. Some views of the gospel are obviously shaped by postmodernism, feminism or liberation theology; and while some church and mission leaders understand submission in authoritarian terms others favour a laissez-faire approach. These different views and attitudes, however, raise some important questions: How can missionaries work together in a team or cooperate with indigenous churches if they do not agree on the nature of the gospel? What motivates missionaries for ministry if it is not the Good News as we can find it in the Bible? How can missionaries serve on the mission field if they hold to or are confronted with an unbiblical view of submission? The first part of this book examines several false versions of the gospel which Christians encounter on the mission field in Africa and elsewhere today. Furthermore, it looks at the difference the biblical gospel makes in our lives and calls us back to the cross of Christ as our only hope. The second part of this book examines the complex issues of submission, authority and accountability in the various relationships that exist whenever a missionary goes out to serve God and His Church. Some of the most vivid contemporary problems are addressed from a biblical perspective. It is my hope that everyone, from sending church, mission organisation, receiving church and missionaries themselves will find this book an important read to clarify the issues and be better prepared to serve in cross-cultural mission.
Table of Contents
The Gospel and Mission
Submission and Mission
Objectives & Topics
This work examines the contemporary challenges and developments within cross-cultural mission, focusing specifically on the nature of the gospel and the biblical principle of submission. It provides a critical analysis of various theological interpretations, such as the prosperity gospel, the gospel of liberation, and the postmodern gospel, while reasserting a biblically grounded understanding of mission and authority for Christian leaders and organizations.
- Analysis of false versions of the gospel encountered on the mission field.
- Biblical perspectives on the nature of the gospel and personal accountability.
- Evaluation of complex issues surrounding submission, authority, and hierarchical leadership in churches.
- Strategies for missionaries to maintain integrity while navigating diverse cultural and organizational expectations.
Excerpt from the Book
The prosperity gospel
For some, the Christian gospel is the good news that God wants to give us power, success, wealth and health, or as Young (2014:10) puts it: ‘Prosperity teaching principally teaches that Christian people have the right (and even the responsibility) to be prosperous in all areas of life, especially in terms of financial prosperity and health.’ Various versions of the prosperity gospel are promoted not only by African preachers but also through the books and TV programmes of well-known mega church leaders.
The Namibian theologian Basilius Kasera (2012:24) distinguishes between two dominant forms of the prosperity gospel: the militant and the diffused form. At the heart of the militant prosperity gospel lie radical, blatant claims, such as ‘God’s will for you is wealth’ or ‘God’s will for you is healing’ (:25). One principle promoted by the advocates of the militant prosperity gospel is the principle of a hundredfold return: The more money you give to God the more money you will receive from God in return (:26).
Summary of Chapters
The Gospel and Mission: This chapter analyzes various contemporary distortions of the Christian gospel, including the prosperity gospel, the gospel of liberation, and the postmodern gospel, and contrasts them with the biblical message of salvation through Christ.
Submission and Mission: This chapter addresses the complexities of submission, authority, and accountability within cross-cultural mission, emphasizing the need for a biblically informed approach that avoids both authoritarianism and laissez-faire leadership.
Keywords
Mission, Gospel, Prosperity Gospel, Liberation Theology, Submission, Authority, Accountability, Cross-Cultural Ministry, Biblical Theology, Church Leadership, Evangelism, Transformational Theology, Discipleship, Christian Ethics, Church Planting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this book?
The book explores critical contemporary issues in mission, specifically addressing how various distorted views of the gospel and misunderstandings of submission affect missionaries and church leaders in Africa and beyond.
What are the central thematic fields covered in the work?
The central themes include the nature of the Christian gospel, the biblical understanding of submission to authority, the challenges of church leadership, and the role of accountability in mission work.
What is the primary goal of the author?
The author aims to clarify the nature of the biblical gospel and the principle of submission to help sending churches, mission organizations, and missionaries serve more effectively and biblically in cross-cultural contexts.
Which methodology does the author employ?
The author utilizes a theological and missiological approach, primarily grounded in biblical exegesis and a critical review of contemporary mission literature and cultural practices.
What topics are discussed in the main part of the book?
The main part of the book covers various "gospels" (prosperity, liberation, feminist, postmodern, syncretized, universalist, and transformational) and examines the biblical mandate for submission and accountability in relation to mission organizations and local churches.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Mission, Gospel, Submission, Authority, Accountability, Prosperity Gospel, Transformational Theology, and Cross-Cultural Ministry.
How does the author view the "prosperity gospel"?
The author views the prosperity gospel as a distortion of the true Christian message, arguing that it misinterprets biblical texts, undermines the reality of suffering, and shifts the focus from God's grace to material success.
What does the author propose regarding "submission" in missions?
The author emphasizes that while submission is a biblical concept motivated by love and reverence for Christ, it must not be confused with blind subservience to authoritarian leaders; rather, it should be practiced within a framework of mutual accountability and partnership.
Why is this book particularly relevant for the African context?
It addresses specific challenges prevalent in African church life, such as the influence of neo-Pentecostal movements, the impact of tribalism on leadership, and the struggle to integrate traditional worldviews with biblical orthodoxy.
- Quote paper
- Dr. Thorsten Prill (Author), 2015, Contemporary Issues In Mission: What Christians Need To Know, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/295102
