Introducing Christian Mission Today: Scripture, History and Issues

by Michael W. Goheen

Overview

Best Texts of Missiology, Hearts and Minds Bookstore

Mission—a driving force in the long Christian story—today is often cast as the embarrassing relative of tall-steeple religiosity.

In our wider culture it's now tucked in the endnotes of book-club histories or forms the ghostlike ellipses in the six o'clock news. But in Introducing Christian Mission Today, Michael Goheen brings the vibrant history, motivation and challenges of Christian mission to the fore.

Through the centuries Christian mission has always been recalibrating, retooling and reevangelizing. It has repeatedly taken surprising turns as it is carried along by the Spirit of God. Goheen's introduction to mission's biblical, theological and historical dimensions engages the present and anticipates the future. As he unfolds the major issues of the global and urban, the pluralistic and wholistic contexts of mission today, he lays the ground for engaging in God's great kingdom enterprise.

This full-scale text incorporates the keen missional insights of Lesslie Newbigin, David Bosch and other formative thinkers. It will be a valued resource not only for those in crosscultural contexts but also for those engaged in reevangelizing the West.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780830840472
Publisher:	InterVarsity Press
Publication date:	07/14/2014
Pages:	448
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

Michael W. Goheen (PhD, University of Utrecht) is theological director and scholar-in-residence in missional theology at the Missional Training Center in Phoenix. He is also professor of missional theology at Newbigin House of Studies and Jake and Betsy Tuls Professor of Missiology at Calvin Theological Seminary. His published works include A Light to the Nations and The Drama of Scripture (coauthored with Craig Bartholomew).

Table of Contents

Preface
Introduction: A Paradigm Shift in Mission Studies Today
PART I: BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION ON MISSION
1. Scripture as a Narrative Record of God's Mission
2. Theology of Mission and Missional Theology
PART II: HISTORICAL AND CONTEMPORARY REFLECTION ON MISSION
3. Historical Paradigms of Mission
4. An Emerging Ecumenical Paradigm of Mission
5. A Survey of the Global Church
PART III: CURRENT ISSUES IN MISSION TODAY
6. Holistic Mission: Witness in Life, Word and Deed
7. Faithful Contextualization: Church, Gospel and Culture(s)
8. Toward a Missiology of Western Culture
9. A Missionary Encounter with World Religions
10. Urban Mission: The New Frontier
11. Missions: A Witness to the Gospel Where There Is None
Indexes

What People are Saying About This

Christopher J. H. Wright

"Very few people can combine multiple areas of expertise in their own thinking, let alone in a single book. Mike Goheen is one of those few. This wide-ranging survey is the fruit of a true teacher's passion for the whole scope of his discipline. We are led steadily to understand mission from its biblical foundations, in theological reflection, through millenia of historical practice, across multiple cultural and ecclesial contexts, to the most urgent issues facing the church in mission today and tomorrow. Theologically enriching, reliably informative, and both conceptually and practically challenging."

J. Nelson Jennings

"Michael Goheen has distilled some of the best of recent Western missiological thinking into a readable and well-organized presentation. The book is current and has God's entire, comprehensive and worldwide mission in view. There are also particular examples and focused discussions on such crucial topics as urban mission. Many congregations, individuals and mission agencies will find great insight and reap much benefit here."

Wilbert R. Shenk

"Introducing Christian Mission Today is a well-written, accessible and comprehensive survey of mission theology. Michael Goheen provides the reader with an authoritative and balanced account of the salient developments--starting with a robust biblical theology that puts the mission of God at the dynamic center--that have transformed our understanding over the past century. This work edifies and challenges."

Gerald H. Anderson

"Michael W. Goheen has produced here more than an introduction to mission studies. In this volume of some four hundred pages he provides a comprehensive, scholarly survey of the biblical, historical and contemporary issues in world mission that will serve to inform a generation of students and pastors. It is a remarkable achievement."

Dean Flemming

"This is an outstanding and needed book. Michael Goheen gives us a distinctive introduction to mission study that takes full account of both the momentous changes happening in global Christianity and recent thinking about the missional nature of the church. Rich in its biblical and theological grasp of mission, the book addresses precisely the right issues confronting the mission of God's people today. This introductory text is accessible, balanced and, at times, profoundly moving. Readers beware! This book will reshape your thinking about the nature and practice of Christian mission."

Craig Ott

"Based on Scripture and in light of current and historical developments, Introducing Christian Mission Today recalibrates the church's understanding of mission. Evangelical in spirit, yet ecumenical in breadth, this is an important and stimulating introduction to the foundations, challenges and issues of Christian mission today."

Editorial Reviews

"Based on Scripture and in light of current and historical developments, Introducing Christian Mission Today recalibrates the church's understanding of mission. Evangelical in spirit, yet ecumenical in breadth, this is an important and stimulating introduction to the foundations, challenges and issues of Christian mission today."

Craig Ott

"An excellent resource for mission agencies as a well-written introduction on the missional nature of the Church, with focused exploration of the developments that have contributed to transformed understandings of mission over the last century."

Allison Norton

"Michael Goheen has distilled some of the best of recent Western missiological thinking into a readable and well-organized presentation. The book is current and has God's entire, comprehensive and worldwide mission in view. There are also particular examples and focused discussions on such crucial topics as urban mission. Many congregations, individuals and mission agencies will find great insight and reap much benefit here."

J. Nelson Jennings

"Michael W. Goheen has produced here more than an introduction to mission studies. In this volume of some four hundred pages he provides a comprehensive, scholarly survey of the biblical, historical and contemporary issues in world mission that will serve to inform a generation of students and pastors. It is a remarkable achievement."

Gerald H. Anderson

"Goheen argues compellingly that we have much to learn from the global church."

Nick Smith

"Michael Goheen's book will be added to my list of recommended books. Part one gives a biblical and theological reflection on mission. Part two hands the reader a historical and contemporary reflection on mission. These chapters are more than mere reflections; they also contain gospel-centered recommendations to move the worldwide church forward. . . . This book gives the church guidance and hope to continually be involved in God's mission."

Henry Bartsch

"Very few people can combine multiple areas of expertise in their own thinking, let alone in a single book. Mike Goheen is one of those few. This wide-ranging survey is the fruit of a true teacher's passion for the whole scope of his discipline. We are led steadily to understand mission from its biblical foundations, in theological reflection, through millenia of historical practice, across multiple cultural and ecclesial contexts, to the most urgent issues facing the church in mission today and tomorrow. Theologically enriching, reliably informative, and both conceptually and practically challenging."

Christopher J. H. Wright

"Introducing Christian Mission Today is a well-written, accessible and comprehensive survey of mission theology. Michael Goheen provides the reader with an authoritative and balanced account of the salient developments—starting with a robust biblical theology that puts the mission of God at the dynamic center—that have transformed our understanding over the past century. This work edifies and challenges."

Wilbert R. Shenk

"This is an outstanding and needed book. Michael Goheen gives us a distinctive introduction to mission study that takes full account of both the momentous changes happening in global Christianity and recent thinking about the missional nature of the church. Rich in its biblical and theological grasp of mission, the book addresses precisely the right issues confronting the mission of God's people today. This introductory text is accessible, balanced and, at times, profoundly moving. Readers beware! This book will reshape your thinking about the nature and practice of Christian mission."

Dean Flemming