Encountering Theology of Mission: Biblical Foundations, Historical Developments, and Contemporary Issues - Paperback

by Craig Ott (Author), Stephen J. Strauss (Author), Timothy C. Tennent (Author)

This fresh, comprehensive text fills a need for an up-to-date theology of mission. It offers creative approaches to answering some of the most pressing questions in theology of mission and missionary practice today. The authors, who are leading mission experts, discuss biblical theology of mission, provide historical overviews of the development of various viewpoints, and address theologically current issues in global mission from an evangelical perspective. This readable yet thorough text integrates current views of the kingdom of God and holistic mission with traditional views of evangelism and church planting. It also brings theology of mission into conversation with ecclesiology and eschatology. Topics covered include contextualization, the missionary vocation, church and mission, and theology of religions. Sidebars and case studies enable readers to see how theology of mission touches real-life mission practice.

Back Jacket

Theology of Mission Meets Missionary Practice

The theology of Christian mission has undergone dramatic shifts throughout the history of the church, particularly in the twentieth century. Encountering Theology of Mission provides biblical clarity and global awareness regarding the mission of the church in the twenty-first century. Leading mission experts discuss biblical theology of mission, provide historical overviews of the development of various viewpoints, and address current theological issues in global mission from an evangelical perspective. They offer creative approaches to answering some of the most pressing questions in theology of mission and missionary practice today.

"Good maps can be hard to find. Thankfully Craig Ott, Stephen Strauss, and Timothy Tennent have drawn up a comprehensive yet easy-to-navigate guide to the complex terrain of theologizing about Christian mission. It is hard to imagine a more careful presentation of this vast subject."--J. Nelson Jennings, mission pastor and consultant, Onnuri Community Church, Seoul, South Korea

"Deep gratitude to our three writers for a rich and textured work! It is rooted in Scripture, history, and context; it is challenging yet very readable; it is antiphonal--moving from theology and theory to the highly practical and engaging--with some excellent sidebars and case studies. Although the book will be seen as a text by some, I would highly recommend this book to my global colleagues, the reflective practitioners of mission today."--William D. Taylor, global ambassador, World Evangelical Alliance

"This globalized world needs a relevant theology of mission that articulates a cogent 'biblical direction for the church's fulfillment of its missionary mandate.' This excellent book moves us from a paternalistic mind-set to a fraternal one that seeks to proclaim Christ from everywhere to everywhere. I would strongly commend this book not only to professors and students in seminaries but also to practitioners and missions committees in local churches."--Junias Venugopal, provost and dean of education, Moody Bible Institute

Author Biography

Craig Ott (PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is professor of mission and intercultural studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois, where he occupies the ReachGlobal Chair of Mission. He has over twenty years of missionary experience. Stephen J. Strauss (1955-2013; PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) was professor of world missions and intercultural studies at Dallas Theological Seminary. He previously served with Serving in Mission (SIM) for over twenty-seven years. Timothy C. Tennent (PhD, University of Edinburgh) is president of Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky, where he also serves as professor of world Christianity.