Bearing the Witness of the Spirit: Lesslie Newbigin's Theology of Cultural Plurality

by George R. Hunsberger

Overview

What are the theological implications of today's multicultural world? What does cultural plurality mean for the life and mission of the church? According to George Hunsberger, the need for a solid theological assessment of multiculturalism lies at the heart of discussions about church unity, cross -cultural mission, and interreligious relations. In Bearing the Witness of the Spirit Hunsberger shows that just such a "theology of cultural plurality" can be found in the missionary theology of Lesslie Newbigin.

This in-depth study of Newbigin's thought brings into clear view the "theology of cultural plurality" nascent in Newbigin's writings and demonstrates its importance for today's church. Interacting closely with Newbigin's published and unpublished works, Hunsberger describes Newbigin's biblical rationale for the life and witness of the church in a culturally plural world. By teasing out Newbigin's thinking in this realm, Hunsberger gives shape to a theological area of inquiry and reflection badly needed for fruitful discussions of cross-cultural mission and ecumenism.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780802843692
Publisher:	Eerdmans, William B. Publishing Company
Publication date:	06/15/1998
Series:	The Gospel and Our Culture Series (GOCS)
Pages:	353
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.79(d)

About the Author

George R. Hunsberger is professor emeritus of missiology at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan, and founding coordinator of the Gospel and Our Culture Network.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Birthing a Missionary Theology of Cultural Plurality

Foundations for an Emerging Movement
Definition of a Nascent Field
Gaps in Its Current Development
Prospects in Newbigin's Contribution

Missionary Engagements with Cultural Plurality
Missionary Dialogues About Cultural Plurality
Missionary Perspective Regarding Cultural Plurality
Missionary Modes of Theological Reflection

Chapter 2: The Missionary Significance of the Doctrine of Election: Newbigin's Persistent Emphasis

The Earlier Period
The Middle Period
The Later Period

Chapter 3: The Missionary Significance of the Doctrine of Election: Newbigin's Unique Perspective

Not the Reason but the Purpose

1. Not Special Privilege but Special Responsibility
2. Bearers of the Blessing
3. The End as Well as the Means
4. One Event with Significance for the Whole

Conclusion

Chapter 4: The Presence of the Kingdom: The Meaning of History

The Clue to the Meaning of History
Implications for Christian Responsibility

The Basis for Political Action
The Interpretation of Contemporary History

Enthusiasm Regarding Secularization
Encounter with Western Culture
Implications for a Theology of Cultural Plurality

Chapter 5: Conversion and Community: The Boundaries of the Church

Conversion as Boundaries

In Tension with the Local Culture
In Tension with the Missionary Church

Boundaries as Community

Continuity with the Past
Continuity with the Future

Chapter 6: The Gospel as Secular Announcement: The Limits of Religion

The Limitations of the Religion Concept
The Debate About Continuity
The Dialogue of the Religions
The Problem of Universalism

Chapter 7: A Theology of Cultural Plurality: Charting the Agenda

The Gospel-Culture Encounter

The Table and the Tower

The Bible-Church Relationship

Ecumenism and Pluriformity
Revelation and Relativity

The Church-Culture Dialogue

Culture and Religious Pluralism
Election and Biblical Theology

Final Conclusions

The Literature of the Thomas-Newbigin Debate
Writings of Lesslie Newbigin: An Annotated Bibliography
Other References Cited
Endnotes
Index of Persons
Index of Subjects

Editorial Reviews

Evangelical Missions Quarterly
"Hunsberger serves us extremely well in many ways. . . The book's title explains its contents exactly, and these are exciting, necessary, and worth very careful reading."

International Bulletin of Missionary Research
"Bearing the Witness of the Spirit is a pioneering work that examines Newbigin's missionary theology. . . The book is clearly written, highly nuanced, and brimming with insight into the structure of Newbigin's theology and into a number of significant issues discussed in missiology today."

Missiology
"This book is a comprehensive study of Lesslie Newbigin's theology of mission and probably the standard work in the field for years to come. . . Hunsberger examines thoroughly, with deep appreciation and occasional gentle critique, the mission theology of this leader, friend, and saint. . . Hunsberger systematizes the thought of a working missionary to a degree that the principal himself never would have achieved and presents it to us as a missiological guide of magnificent proportions."

Modern Theology
"George Hunsberger has written the definitive book on the late Lesslie Newbigin, an ecumenical and missionary theologian whose work both the academy and the church have only begun to appreciate.0802841775"

Theology Today
"Hunsberger focuses this study on Newbigin's theological understanding of mission and cultural plurality. The book makes a major contribution by sifting the bishop's voluminous writings in order to produce a fuller and more systematic perspective on this specific topic than Newbigin himself ever provided. . . Hunsberger succeeds dramatically in his primary aim. His presentation makes it clear that Newbigin is one of the century's key thinkers on the church and its mission. . . The work is not just a tribute worthy of its subject. It is an independent (and sometimes gently critical) contribution to those tasks that Lesslie Newbigin gave such faithful devotion."

Currents in Theology & Mission
"The most interesting and great contribution about this book is its theology of cultural plurality related to the biblical doctrine of election. . . The book is an outstanding contribution to help us learn about the most distinguished missiologist of the twentieth century and to vision true biblical theology of mission and practice for the twenty-first century. This book is commended to all seminarians and theology students to read and discuss."

From the Publisher

Hunsberger serves us extremely well in many ways.... The book's title explains its contents exactly, and these are exciting, necessary, and worth very careful reading.

Evangelical Missions Quarterly

"Bearing the Witness of the Spirit is a pioneering work that examines Newbigin's missionary theology.... The book is clearly written, highly nuanced, and brimming with insight into the structure of Newbigin's theology and into a number of significant issues discussed in missiology today."

International Bulletin of Missionary Research

"This book is a comprehensive study of Lesslie Newbigin's theology of mission and probably the standard work in the field for years to come.... Hunsberger examines thoroughly, with deep appreciation and occasional gentle critique, the mission theology of this leader, friend, and saint.... Hunsberger systematizes the thought of a working missionary to a degree that the principal himself never would have achieved and presents it to us as a missiological guide of magnificent proportions."

Missiology

George Hunsberger has written the definitive book on the late Lesslie Newbigin, an ecumenical and missionary theologian whose work both the academy and the church have only begun to appreciate.

Modern Theology

"Hunsberger focuses this study on Newbigin's theological understanding of mission and cultural plurality. The book makes a major contribution by sifting the bishop's voluminous writings in order to produce a fuller and more systematic perspective on this specific topic than Newbigin himself ever provided.... Hunsberger succeeds dramatically in his primary aim. His presentation makes it clear that Newbigin is one of the century's key thinkers on the church and its mission.... The work is not just a tribute worthy of its subject. It is an independent (and sometimes gently critical) contribution to those tasks that Lesslie Newbigin gave such faithful devotion."

Theology Today

The most interesting and great contribution about this book is its theology of cultural plurality related to the biblical doctrine of election.... The book is an outstanding contribution to help us learn about the most distinguished missiologist of the twentieth century and to vision true biblical theology of mission and practice for the twenty-first century. This book is commended to all seminarians and theology students to read and discuss.

Currents in Theology & Mission

Hunsberger (missiology, Western Theological Seminary) here provides an excellent and comprehensive study of Lesslie Newbigin's "theology of cultural plurality" that examines the Christian gospel in its encounter with concurrent cultures in contemporary life. The work is both theoretical and theological and looks at the meaning of history, the limits of religion, and the calling (election by God) to both conversion and service. Newbigin's theology is a product of his life as a missionary and pastor in India, a teacher of the "theology of mission," and a pastor in an urban English church. Newbigin provides no place for culture bashing or rejection; rather, he teaches that the church must be transformed in a way that is biblically applicable to its particular environment. Newbigin's insights continue to attract the attention of pastors, church leaders, and others who want to understand the application and communication of Christian truth to our world today. Hunsberger has provided extensive references to papers, lectures, and books in this in-depth study. Recommended for academic libraries.--George Westerlund, Providence P.L., Barrington, RI

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