EMQ » January–March 2018 » Vol. 54 Issue 1
Book Review
Contemporary Mission Theology
Robert Gallagher and Paul Hertig, Editors
Orbis Books, 2017, 336 pages, $37.67
Reviewed by Geoff Hartt, Director Hispanics for Christ; Corban University.
The editors of this book provide many valuable contributions to missiology at large as well as capturing the essence of one of the most influential voices to teach on the subject in our lifetime. The book reflects Charles Van Engen’s influence in its structure, subject matter, diversity and vision. Just as obvious is the relational influence he has had on the editors and authors. I am left envious for not having the opportunity to study under this missiologist, but none the less, have benefitted from his influence on the authors presented in this book.
The book is divided into eight logically organized parts, each containing three contributions. This will simplify its use in classes which require readings from appropriate sections that support the course. The divisions follow Van Engen’s ideology expressed in his classic work Mission on the Way. There he states, “Theology of mission, then, must eventually emanate in biblically informed and contextually appropriate missional action.” The book follows this as it flows from Parts 1-2: Mission Theology and the Bible, and Mission Theology and Church Beliefs into Parts 3-7: Mission Theology and Context, Mission Theology and the Church, Mission Theology and Church History, Missional Theology and Religious Pluralism, and Modernity and Postmodernity in Missional Theology. The final part focuses on action – Mission Theology and Ministry Formation. Van Engen wrote the conclusion to the book where he offers a brief history of Mission Theology through five paradigms going from the early Protestant mission efforts of William Carey up until our present times. In conclusion Van Engen challenges the reader to “draw from past paradigms of MT and seek to live into new ones.” Though very brief, Van Engen’s contrasts in the conclusion between “Then” and “Now” was useful. He contrasts sources, agents, methodologies and topics of mission theology. This could have been a section all of its own.
The editors of this text have assembled a globally diverse variety of contributors that not only reflect missiology from different geographical and theological perspectives but different gender perspectives as well. They deserve recognition for the effort to include brothers and sisters from the Global South. The collection of contributors here reflects a global church’s thoughts on contemporary mission theology. This book would not only provide contemporary information on the subject of Mission Theology for students, but it demonstrates a globalization of our approach to study. It would be a good required text alongside Tennent’s Theology in the Context of World Christianity.
