06-05-2006, 07:44 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-agnivayu+Jun 5 2006, 07:38 AM-->QUOTE(agnivayu @ Jun 5 2006, 07:38 AM)<!--QuoteEBegin-->What's this nonsense about Christian Yoga ?Â
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<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Ecumenical Missiology: <b>Contemporary Trends, Issues, and Themes</b>.
International Bulletin of Missionary Research
7/1/2003
Thomas, Norman E.
Edited by Lalsangkima Pachuau. Bangalore: United Theological College, 2002. Pp. ix, 328. Paperback Rs 150 (outside India, $10).
This volume is like a prism that disperses sunlightinto a brilliant spectrum of colors. The prism is ecumenical missiology, defined as the "variety of theological responses. to the "changing order of world economies. and politics," as well as "challenges emerging from the ecumenical movement" (p. vii). <b>The major part of this book came from the International Consultation on Mission and Ecumenics, held at United Theological College, Bangalore, in 1998. Jointly sponsored by the WCC and the college, it inaugurated UTC's Department of Mission and Ecumenics. </b>
Twelve substantive essays cover the emergence, development, and challenges, as well as major issues and themes, of ecumenical missiology (seven by Asian Christian scholars, three by Western theologians teaching in India, and two by ecumenical mission leaders). Impressive synthesis of scholarship appears in chapters on the encounter between faith and science (S. Henry), mission in the ecumenical movement (L. Pachuau), mission in Asian ecumenical thought (K. Miyamoto), and missiology in theological education (L. Ramambason).
More vibrant colors emerge in three creative essays pushing the frontiers of Asian missiology. <b>In one, Professor Mundadan, the doyen of Indian church historians, both summarizes Western and Indian Christian historiography and calls for a more critical analysis of the encounter "between the heart of Christianity and the authentic and multifaceted soul of India" </b>(p.22).
<b>In another, Antony Kalliath, after tracing milestones in the inculturation of Christianity in India, presents creative developments from Christian yoga and ashrams, to pilgrimages and poetry. He finds the greatest future promise in the struggles of the oppressed, in their mass culture, and a religiosity centered in a Dalit Christ. </b>
In a third, Wesley Ariarajah argues that "the Christian mission in the context of Asian religions and cultures has been a dismal failure" (p. 191). He describes a mission that threatens, breaks up community, and does not connect with Asian religious life. He calls for affirmation that the riches of Asian spiritual heritage can become the locus and bearer of an incarnate Gospel.
Finally, a bonus in this volume is Jacques Matthey's analysis of the WCC's most recent statement on mission (1999), with the full text as an appendix.
Norman E. Thomas, Vera B. Blinn Professor Emeritus of World Christianity at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, served for fifteen years in ecumenical mission appointments in Zimbabwe and Zambia.
COPYRIGHT 2003 Overseas Ministries Study Center
This material is published under license from the publisher
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[snip]
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Ecumenical Missiology: <b>Contemporary Trends, Issues, and Themes</b>.
International Bulletin of Missionary Research
7/1/2003
Thomas, Norman E.
Edited by Lalsangkima Pachuau. Bangalore: United Theological College, 2002. Pp. ix, 328. Paperback Rs 150 (outside India, $10).
This volume is like a prism that disperses sunlightinto a brilliant spectrum of colors. The prism is ecumenical missiology, defined as the "variety of theological responses. to the "changing order of world economies. and politics," as well as "challenges emerging from the ecumenical movement" (p. vii). <b>The major part of this book came from the International Consultation on Mission and Ecumenics, held at United Theological College, Bangalore, in 1998. Jointly sponsored by the WCC and the college, it inaugurated UTC's Department of Mission and Ecumenics. </b>
Twelve substantive essays cover the emergence, development, and challenges, as well as major issues and themes, of ecumenical missiology (seven by Asian Christian scholars, three by Western theologians teaching in India, and two by ecumenical mission leaders). Impressive synthesis of scholarship appears in chapters on the encounter between faith and science (S. Henry), mission in the ecumenical movement (L. Pachuau), mission in Asian ecumenical thought (K. Miyamoto), and missiology in theological education (L. Ramambason).
More vibrant colors emerge in three creative essays pushing the frontiers of Asian missiology. <b>In one, Professor Mundadan, the doyen of Indian church historians, both summarizes Western and Indian Christian historiography and calls for a more critical analysis of the encounter "between the heart of Christianity and the authentic and multifaceted soul of India" </b>(p.22).
<b>In another, Antony Kalliath, after tracing milestones in the inculturation of Christianity in India, presents creative developments from Christian yoga and ashrams, to pilgrimages and poetry. He finds the greatest future promise in the struggles of the oppressed, in their mass culture, and a religiosity centered in a Dalit Christ. </b>
In a third, Wesley Ariarajah argues that "the Christian mission in the context of Asian religions and cultures has been a dismal failure" (p. 191). He describes a mission that threatens, breaks up community, and does not connect with Asian religious life. He calls for affirmation that the riches of Asian spiritual heritage can become the locus and bearer of an incarnate Gospel.
Finally, a bonus in this volume is Jacques Matthey's analysis of the WCC's most recent statement on mission (1999), with the full text as an appendix.
Norman E. Thomas, Vera B. Blinn Professor Emeritus of World Christianity at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, served for fifteen years in ecumenical mission appointments in Zimbabwe and Zambia.
COPYRIGHT 2003 Overseas Ministries Study Center
This material is published under license from the publisher
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