Upon entering the host country, virtually every missionary finds him or herself in a social and historical context that is unfamiliar. How are we to understand the context into which we have come?
The twenty-first century has changed missions and ministry forever. We now live and minister in a global community, often through multiethnic teams. In such a multinational, interconnected world, relationships become central because they ultimately determine results.
Miriam Adeney’s new book focuses on case studies of Muslim women from different regions of the world. These “daughters of Hagar” experience the grace of God through the Lord Jesus Christ in challenging and often dangerous contexts.
In the middle of her book, Waging Peace on Islam, Christine A. Mallouhi challenges evangelical Christians with this question, “How can we continually paint Muslims as hostile spiritual enemies with whom we are engaged in the greatest battle of our century, and then be willing to go to our Muslim neighbours and share Christ’s love with them?” (p. 178).
Conforming to a Culture. The October 2002 issue of EMQ included the article, “A Testimony for Missions,” by Richard Smith. The article included these statements, “…fall in love with the local culture…identify with its institutions and traditions…” “He is here because he is deeply attached to our nation and what comes with it…He has tried hard to be one of us…”
Since 9/11, Islam has dominated the news and interest of the world. The war on terror has only increased the world’s awareness of the Middle East and the religion associated with that region.
Theology divides, evangelism unites.” So goes the mantra of too many. Oh, there is a kernel of truth in what they say: too much majoring on minor issues can be divisive.
Christians who are involved in the cross-cultural communication of the faith to nonbelievers have a particular problem with war.
Acts records many instances of persecution among early believing communities. However, the record is clear. Believing communities existed.
Currently, article after article and book after book refer to the poor? But seldom is the word poor carefully defined.
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