Missiology
Encyclopedia
Missiology is the area of practical theology
that investigates the mandate, message, and mission of the Christian
church, especially the nature of missionary
work. Missiology is a multi-disciplinary and cross-cultural reflection on all aspects of the propagation of the Christian faith, embracing 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."
Academic missiology organizations include the American Society of Missiology and the Evangelical Missiology Society. A Journal of Applied Missiology is published by Abilene Christian University
. Academic degrees specifically in missiology are granted by any number of theological schools and seminaries, including Fuller Theological Seminary
and Boston University
. Degrees in missiology were offered in 1950 by the University of Ottawa
.
The School of Divinity
at the University of Edinburgh
houses the Centre for the Study of World Christianity. The Centre fosters research on Christianity as a world religion, with special attention to activity outside of Europe and North America. It also hosts a reading room attached to its extensive archives on Christian missions. Missiologist Andrew F. Walls founded the Centre and its current director is Brian Stanley Edinburgh practical theologian Duncan B. Forrester
is also noted for his work in missiology.
Because missiology considers both the positive and the negative consequences, as well as the strategies of the spread of Christianity, missiology also touches on the environmental impact of evangelization
and charitable work, including practical facets of international politics
and economic development
.
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.. It helps emerging Christian communities deal with the question of inculturation.
Practical theology
Practical theology is the practical application of theology to everyday life. Richard Osmer explains that the four key questions and tasks in practical theology are:# What is going on? # Why is this going on?...
that investigates the mandate, message, and mission of the Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
church, especially the nature of missionary
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
work. Missiology is a multi-disciplinary and cross-cultural reflection on all aspects of the propagation of the Christian faith, embracing theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
, anthropology
Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of humanity. It has origins in the humanities, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. The term "anthropology" is from the Greek anthrōpos , "man", understood to mean mankind or humanity, and -logia , "discourse" or "study", and was first used in 1501 by German...
, history
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
, geography
Geography
Geography is the science that studies the lands, features, inhabitants, and phenomena of Earth. A literal translation would be "to describe or write about the Earth". The first person to use the word "geography" was Eratosthenes...
, theories and methods of communication
Communication
Communication is the activity of conveying meaningful information. Communication requires a sender, a message, and an intended recipient, although the receiver need not be present or aware of the sender's intent to communicate at the time of communication; thus communication can occur across vast...
, comparative religion
Comparative religion
Comparative religion is a field of religious studies that analyzes the similarities and differences of themes, myths, rituals and concepts among the world's religions...
, Christian apologetics
Christian apologetics
Christian apologetics is a field of Christian theology that aims to present a rational basis for the Christian faith, defend the faith against objections, and expose the perceived flaws of other world views...
, 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."
Academic missiology organizations include the American Society of Missiology and the Evangelical Missiology Society. A Journal of Applied Missiology is published by Abilene Christian University
Abilene Christian University
Abilene Christian University is a private university located in Abilene, Texas, affiliated with Churches of Christ. ACU was founded in 1906, as Childers Classical Institute...
. Academic degrees specifically in missiology are granted by any number of theological schools and seminaries, including Fuller Theological Seminary
Fuller Theological Seminary
Fuller Theological Seminary is an accredited Christian educational institute with its main campus in Pasadena, California and several satellite campuses in the western United States...
and Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
. Degrees in missiology were offered in 1950 by the University of Ottawa
University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa is a bilingual, research-intensive, non-denominational, international university in Ottawa, Ontario. It is one of the oldest universities in Canada. It was originally established as the College of Bytown in 1848 by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate...
.
The School of Divinity
New College, Edinburgh
New College was opened in 1846 as a college of the Free Church of Scotland, later of the United Free Church of Scotland, and from the 1930s has been the home of the School of Divinity of the University of Edinburgh...
at the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
houses the Centre for the Study of World Christianity. The Centre fosters research on Christianity as a world religion, with special attention to activity outside of Europe and North America. It also hosts a reading room attached to its extensive archives on Christian missions. Missiologist Andrew F. Walls founded the Centre and its current director is Brian Stanley Edinburgh practical theologian Duncan B. Forrester
Duncan B. Forrester
Duncan B. Forrester is a Scottish theologian and the founder of the Centre for Theology and Public Issues at New College, University of Edinburgh. He is currently Honorary Fellow and Professor Emeritus at New College....
is also noted for his work in missiology.
Because missiology considers both the positive and the negative consequences, as well as the strategies of the spread of Christianity, missiology also touches on the environmental impact of evangelization
Evangelism
Evangelism refers to the practice of relaying information about a particular set of beliefs to others who do not hold those beliefs. The term is often used in reference to Christianity....
and charitable work, including practical facets of international politics
Politics
Politics is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs, including behavior within civil governments, but also applies to institutions, fields, and special interest groups such as the...
and economic development
Economic development
Economic development generally refers to the sustained, concerted actions of policymakers and communities that promote the standard of living and economic health of a specific area...
.
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.. It helps emerging Christian communities deal with the question of inculturation.
Notable Missiologists
- Alan HirschAlan HirschAlan Hirsch is a South African-born missiologist and a leading voice in the missional movement of the Christian West. He is an internationally recognized author of five books on missional living. Additionally, Hirsch founded one and co-founded two organizations devoted to equipping people for...
- Michael Frost
- Lesslie NewbiginLesslie NewbiginBishop James Edward Lesslie Newbigin was a Church of Scotland missionary serving in the former Madras State , India, who became a Christian theologian and bishop involved in missiology, ecumenism, and the Gospel and Our Culture Movement.-Biography:Born in Newcastle upon Tyne, Newbigin's schooling...
- David BoschDavid BoschDavid Jacobus Bosch was a member of the Dutch Reformed Church, married to Anne-Marie and author of Transforming Mission: Paradigm Shifts in Theology of Mission — a major work on post-colonial Christian mission.-Early life:Bosch was born in Kuruman, Cape Province, South Africa, and died in a...
- Duncan B. ForresterDuncan B. ForresterDuncan B. Forrester is a Scottish theologian and the founder of the Centre for Theology and Public Issues at New College, University of Edinburgh. He is currently Honorary Fellow and Professor Emeritus at New College....
See also
- Indigenous church mission theoryIndigenous church mission theoryIndigenous churches are churches suited to local culture and led by local Christians. There have been two main Protestant strategies proposed for the creation of indigenous churches:...
- InculturationInculturationInculturation is a term used in Christianity, especially in the Roman Catholic Church, referring to the adaptation of the way Church teachings are presented to non-Christian cultures, and to the influence of those cultures on the evolution of these teachings....
- David BoschDavid BoschDavid Jacobus Bosch was a member of the Dutch Reformed Church, married to Anne-Marie and author of Transforming Mission: Paradigm Shifts in Theology of Mission — a major work on post-colonial Christian mission.-Early life:Bosch was born in Kuruman, Cape Province, South Africa, and died in a...
- Duncan B. ForresterDuncan B. ForresterDuncan B. Forrester is a Scottish theologian and the founder of the Centre for Theology and Public Issues at New College, University of Edinburgh. He is currently Honorary Fellow and Professor Emeritus at New College....