scholarly journals A reformed perspective on taking mission and missiology to the heart of theological training

2012 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thinandavha D. Mashau

Mission and missiology have been driven to the periphery of the life of both the church and theological institutions. Missiology has, in many theological institutions in the world, struggled to find a home. It has in some instances been regarded as an intruder, in some as an interloper and in others as irrelevant. Missiology is without a doubt a voice from the margins. This article seeks to go beyond the exercise to identify reasons for such a marginalisation by looking at ways in which mission and missiology can be restored to the heart of theological education. This article reminds us that the definition and practice of missiology should be firmly grounded in the missio Dei; hence all theological disciplines should intentionally have a missionary dimension. This will in essence allow missiology to exist as an independent subject but at the same time exercise its multidimensionality. It is, therefore, critical to maintain a dynamic and creative tension between intention and dimension to understand the place of missiology in the theological encyclopaedia.'n Gereformeerde perspektief op die neem van sending en sendingwetenskap na die hart van teologiese opleiding. Sending en sendingwetenskap is na die periferie van die lewe van sowel die kerk as teologiese instellings verdryf. Sendingwetenskap het by baie teologiese instellings gesukkel om 'n tuiste te vind. In sommige gevalle is dit as ‘n indringer beskou, in ander as 'n tussenganger, en in sommige gevalle as irrelevant. Sendingwetenskap is sonder twyfel 'n stem vanuit die buiterante. Hierdie navorsing poog om die redes vir so 'n marginalisasie te ontdek deur te kyk na maniere waarop sending en sendingwetenskap herstel kan word tot die hart van teologiese opleiding. Die artikel herinner ons dat die definisie en praktyk van sendingwetenskap stewig gegrond behoort te wees in die missio Dei, en daarom behoort alle teologiese dissiplines doelbewus 'n sendingdimensie te hê. Dit sal sendingwetenskap toelaat om  as 'n onafhanklike vak te bestaan en  om terselfdertyd multidimensionaliteit uit te oefen. Dit is gevolglik krities om 'n dinamiese en kreatiewe spanning tussen intensie en dimensie te behou om sodoende te verstaan wat die plek van sendingwetenskap in die teologiese ensiklopedie is.

2013 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 26-40
Author(s):  
Adesanya Ibiyinka Olusola

Feminist leadership is very important in theological education as it would seek to deconstruct stereotypical assumptions about women and gender in Christian theological traditions. Unfortunately, most of the theological schools in Nigeria do not have feminist as leaders. Five reasons why feminist leadership are needed in theological schools have been identified as, the bible teaching that women brought sin and death to the world, servant hood notion of women, scandal of particularity, male domination of ministries and theological methods and process that are full of stereotypes. All this does not provide women a unique opportunity to discover and develop their potential in the church and society. Also, women’s relevance and contributions can be hampered if not allowed to put in their optimum. To avoid this, the researcher suggests that theological education should not discriminate against any gender, but should work to bring about gender justice by involving the feminist leaders in theological education in Nigeria. It is hoped that by pursuing these steps, theological education in Nigeria would be preparing the way to sustainable development of the mission of Christ on earth.


2019 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dirk G. Van der Merwe

Throughout its history, Christianity has stood in a dichotomous relation to the various philosophical movements or eras (pre-modernism, modernism, postmodernism and post-postmodernism) that took on different faces throughout history. In each period, it was the sciences that influenced, to a great extent, the interpretation and understanding of the Bible. Christianity, however, was not immune to influences, specifically those of the Western world. This essay reflects briefly on this dichotomy and the influence of Bultmann’s demythologising of the kerygma during the 20th century. Also, the remythologising (Vanhoozer) of the church’s message as proposed for the 21st century no more satisfies the critical Christian thinkers. The relationship between science and religion is revisited, albeit from a different perspective as established over the past two decades as to how the sciences have been pointed out more and more to complement theology. This article endeavours to evoke the church to consider the fundamental contributions of the sciences and how it is going to incorporate the sciences into its theological training and message to the world.


2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 127
Author(s):  
PHILLIPUS J. BUYS ◽  
ANDRÉ JANSEN

Abstract: Missiological reflection indicates that mission organizations and churches worldwide are reconsidering the biblical foundations of integrating word and deed in proclaiming the gospel. The Lausanne Movement in its 2010 Cape Town congress, the Micah Network, the Gospel Coalition through its journal Themelios, the World Reformed Fellowship, and several recent missiological publications all address the relationship between words and deeds in the mission of the church. This article attempts to make a contribution to the debate by analyzing key biblical terms in which God reveals himself through the integration of word and deed, calling for a holistic approach in missions, in which words and deeds are not separated when proclaiming the gospel.


2015 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dion A. Forster ◽  
Johann W. Oosterbrink

Recent research by the Call42 group has shown that South African Christians experience that they are not adequately prepared or equipped for Christian living and discipleship in the world of work – here called the marketplace. This article has argued for the importance of a rediscovery of a theology of work that can empower and equip the church and individual Christians for ministry in the marketplace. The article traces why such a theological deficiency exists in the South African church by considering areas such as an inadequate theology of work and mission, a dualism between faith and work, and an unbalanced emphasis on the role of clergy and a lesser focus on the role of the laity in themissio Dei. Having considered these challenges to the mission and theological identity of the church, the article discusses the three general theological views of the church in South Africa as presented by Smit and adapted by Forster. It considers how the church could become an agent of mission and transformation in the marketplace in each of these three forms. The article comes to the conclusion that the church will need to revisit its missional theology, refocuses its efforts on broader society, and empowers and equips its members for ministry in the marketplace in order to be faithful in partnering with God in the missio Dei.Waar is die kerk op Maandag? Ontwaking van die kerk tot die teologie en praktyk vanbediening en sending in die markplein. Onlangse navorsing deur die Call42 groep het bevind dat Suid-Afrikaanse Christene ervaar dat hulle nie voldoende voorbereid en toegerus is vir die Christelike lewe en dissipelskap in die arbeidsmark - hier genoem die markplein – nie. Hierdie artikel poog om aan te toon dat ’n herontdekking van ’n teologie van werk belangrik is ten einde die kerk in die algemeen asook individuele Christene te bemagtig en toe te rus vir die bediening in die markplein. Hierdie artikel poog dus om die kwessie van die sodanige teologiese leemte in die Suid-Afrikaanse kerk na te vors. Terreine soos onvoldoende teologie van werk en sending word ondersoek, ’n dualisme tussen geloof en werk word uitgewys, en daar word aangetoon dat ’n oorspeling van die predikant se rol en ’n onderspeling van gewone kerklidmate se rol die kerk se betrokkenheid by die missio Dei benadeel. Met inagneming van hierdie uitdagings aan sending en die kerk se teologiese identiteit, bespreek die artikel drie algemene teologiese standpunte van die kerk in Suid Afrika, soos deur Smit aangebied en deur Forster aangepas. Die artikel besin hoe die kerk in elk van hierdie drie bestaansvorme ’n agent van sending en transformasie in die markplein kan wees. Die gevolgtrekking word gemaak dat die kerk die missionale of sendingteologie moet heroorweeg, opnuut moet fokus op die uitreik na die breër gemeenskap en lidmate vir bediening in die markplein moet bemagtig en toerus. Sodoende sal die kerk getrou wees aan die medewerking met God in die missio Dei.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-80
Author(s):  
Hery Susanto

ABSTRACTEcclesiology is a part of systematic theology which is studying about church. Churches in this era has been developed and shaped in many forms. Obviously the churches tend to build their own authority and kingdom. In this article, describing about how important as church to be Christ centered and realize their main obligation to spread the Gospel as Missio Dei (mission from God). The method that been used is historical approach as shown in the scripture, specially the Book of Acts. The challenge that has been found recently is that the church should keep on working among people in  post modern era through contextualization mission. People has their own beliefs and what we can do is becoming part of the world with new paradigm as God view to establish His Kingdom as in heaven and earth. The summary said that church should not focusing inside only but should keep doing outreach to all over the world. The church should be Christ centered and mission centered as living organism. The church is a movement that happen continually and progressive.Keywords: church, Christ-centered, Missio Dei, contextualization, missionABSTRAKEklesiologi adalah bagian dari teologi sistematika yang mempelajari tentang gereja. Gereja pada masa kini terus berkembang dan berwujud dalam berbagai format. Pada kenyataannya gereja-gereja cenderung membangun kekuasaannya sendiri dan kerajaannya. Dalam artikel ini, akan diuraikan tentang betapa pentingnya sebagai sebuah gereja untuk tetap berpusat kepada Kristus dan menyadari tanggungjawab utamanya adalah mewartakan Injil sebagai sebuah Missio Dei (misi dari Tuhan). Metode penulisan yang digunakan adalah meninjau melalui pendekatan sejarah gereja sebagaimana ditunjukkan dalam Alkitab, khususnya di dalam Kisah Para Rasul. Tantangan yang dihadapi gereja masa kini adalah bagaimana gereja tetap bekerja di tengah masyarakat post modern melalui misi yang kontekstual. Masyarakat memiliki keyakinannya masing-masing dana pa yang bisa diperbuat adalah menjadi bagian dari dunia dengan paradigma seperti Allah melihat yaitu untuk mendirikan Kerajaan-Nya dibumi seperti di surga. Kesimpulannya mengatakan bahwa gereja seharusnya tidak hanya focus pada hal-hal di dalam (internal) tapi tetap melakukan penjangkauan sampai ke seluruh dunia. Gereja harus berpusat pada Kristus dan misi sebagai organisme yang hidup. Gereja adalah sebuah gerakan yang terjadi terus menerus dan progresif.Kata Kunci: gereja, Berpusat pada Kristus, Missio Dei, kontekstualisasi, misi


2017 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise Kretzschmar ◽  
Ethel C. Tuckey

This article investigates the teaching and practice of moral formation at three theological education institutions in South Africa. Morality is described in terms of relationship with God, with the self, with others in the church and society and with the environment. Many theological institutions, while acknowledging moral formation in their aims and teaching ethical theory, have difficulty developing and implementing a moral formation programme. The findings of the research suggest that the teaching and practice at the institutions that involve relationships are most effective for moral formation. Hence it is recommended that the institutions foster the students’ relationship with God, with themselves, with others and with the environment. Relational teaching methods and activities are most effective and ways of implementing them are explored, including developing partnerships with local churches.


2015 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Kotze ◽  
C.J.P. Niemandt

This article deals with the importance of a missional approach to the funeral and bereavement counselling process in congregational praxis in the midst of a context of secularisation. The creation of a missional perspective on the funeral and bereavement counselling could support the nature and praxis of a congregation in a secular society, especially if the congregation finds its relevance in the expression of the missio Dei. The basic theoretical research for missional ecclesiology, which is the systematic study directed toward greater knowledge of the fundamental aspects of missional ecclesiology (National Science Foundation 1953:38), is based on the premise that God is the source of all missions. The expression missio Dei means to join God in the mission he is already busy with in the world. As the one who sends, God the Father sends the Son, the Son sends the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit sends the church. The church only participates in the mission God is already busy with. It is a mission that uses both words and deeds and brings hope in the midst of tragedy. It is the hope of the kingdom of God and the incarnation of Christ that can already be experienced and expressed in the present. It is also the hope of the transformation of everything to form a new heaven and earth. Hope and mission can therefore not be separated. The concretisation of the expression of the kingdom of Christ in the world is hope, and a strong emphasis is therefore placed on mission as action in hope. Hope must be present where tragedy reigns, and the funeral and bereavement counselling can be used as a vehicle for this hope. Hope can then become an instrument of healing. The church can thus participate in God’s mission in the midst of tragedy and make an impact on society by taking on a missional character of hope.


2020 ◽  
pp. 15-45
Author(s):  
Michael Barnes, SJ

The first chapter is concerned with spelling out a theological context common to both a ‘theology for’ and a ‘theology of dialogue’, namely a Church called to witness to its faith. While the ‘new way’ of dialogue is sometimes understood as replacing traditional forms of missionary witness like proclamation, mission remains central to any account of Church and Christian faith. According to Vatican II, the Church is ‘missionary of its very nature’. These familiar words from Ad Gentes, the Council’s decree ‘on missionary activity’, lead to a discussion of the Roman Catholic contribution to the ecumenical consensus on mission which has coalesced around the Trinitarian theme of the Missio Dei. The typically Catholic principle of ‘inculturation’ or translation into new languages and cultural forms is a response to the Father’s work of sending the Word and the Spirit for the creation and redemption of the world, a work in which the Church is invited to participate.


1965 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 265-274
Author(s):  
E. G. Homrighausen

Author(s):  
Kirk J. Franklin ◽  
Cornelius J.P. Niemandt

Complex questions have arisen about how Christian mission agencies function within a globalised context. The changing context has impacted on how the missio Dei has been worked out within these agencies and this has had implications of a theological and missiological nature in particular as to how the agencies have interacted with the church worldwide. This has lead to new paradigms of how mission is conceptualised. The growth of the church worldwide in newer soil has forced mission agencies such as the Wycliffe Global Alliance (WGA) to re-evaluate their place in the world. It has been assumed that as resources have decreased from parts of the world where the WGA has had its traditional roots, there are missiological factors in determining how this impacts on the WGA. There are many missiological implications for the WGA that come from influences in church history on the importance of the translatability of the gospel especially in the context of Bible translation. These have impacted the WGA’s understanding of itself and in particular of how it has interpreted and reinterpreted its Vision 2025. When the missio Dei converges with outcomes of globalisation there are numerous implications for an agency such as the WGA. Consequently, the article concludes that none of these matters can be ignored. Instead they must be explored and lessons learnt from them that can be passed along to others in similar situations.


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