Missiology is the area of practical theology that investigates the mandate, message, and mission of the Christian church, especially the nature of missionary work.[1] Missiology is a multi-disciplinary and cross-cultural field of study incorporating theology, anthropology, history, geography, theories and methods of communication, comparative religion, Christian apologetics, methodology, and interdenominational relations. "Inherent in the discipline is the study of the nature of God, the created world, and the Church, as well as the interaction among these three."[2]
While in the past many Western countries that were predominately Christian often attempted to use their political and economic power in missions and evangelism, some missiologists are now disavowing these methods and attempting to construct a new paradigm that does not employ such imperialistic approaches which lead to language and cultural imposition. [3]
One goal of missiology is to distinguish between practices that are essential to Christianity which must be practiced by Christians in all cultures, and other strictly cultural expressions of Christianity that can vary between societies while still expressing the Christian faith.[4].
See also [link]
References [link]
- ^ Dictionary.com S.v. "Missiology"
- ^ Morreau, A. S. "Missiology." Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. Ed. Walter A. Elwell. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2001. 780-83. Print.
- ^ Stuart Murray, "Post Christendom: Church and Mission in a Strangle Land (Carlisle: Paternoster Press, 2004) 83-88.
- ^ Missiology.org - "Contextualization and Syncretism" by Dr. Gailyn Van Rheenen[dead link]
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Missiology (journal)
Missiology: An International Review is a quarterly peer-reviewed academic journal in the field of missiology. It is the official journal of the American Society of Missiology, and is published by Sage Publications. Missiology was established in 1973. The editor is Richard L. Starcher (Biola University).
