A Practical Theology of Missions: Dispelling the Mystery; Recovering the Passion

by Wright, Eric E.

• ISBN13: 9781846251986
• ISBN10: 1846251982
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-03-01
• Publisher: Day One Publications

Summary

What is the church's work of missions, and how should we carry it out? In this thorough study, Eric Wright roots missions solidly in the biblical text while giving modern, real-life examples of how missionary principles can be applied practically. He covers subjects such as missions and God's kingdom, the validity of mission boards, the role of providence, the necessary spiritual gifts, the multi-ethnic nature of ideal churches, how to avoid dependency, the priority of church planting versus humanitarian ministries, and short-term versus life-long missionary commitment. This book reverses the drift away from theology into pragmatics, without denying the importance of a dynamic methodology that responds to changing conditions. Regular snapshots of missionary life as it is being or has been played out in real situations ground the whole book in reality. Book jacket.

Author Biography

Eric E. Wright grew up in Toronto, Canada. After his conversion, he studied Theology in South Carolina, USA, where he met and married his wife, Mary Helen. Called together to missionary service in the Muslim world, they ministered in Pakistan for sixteen years. There Eric became co-founder of the Open Theological Seminary, now serving over 1,500 students. After returning to Canada, Eric pastored Long Branch Baptist Church, Toronto, served as interim pastor in six other churches, and taught both the history and theology of missions at Toronto Baptist Seminary. Eric and Mary Helen have three married children and nine grandchildren. They live in Salem, Ontario.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. 9
Introduction	p. 11
Missions in Paraguay	p. 22
The Biblical Basis of Missions	p. 24
Missions and the Nature of God	p. 25
Missions and God the Son	p. 41
Missions in the Old Testament	p. 49
Missionary Preparation in the Intertestamental Period	p. 61
Missions in the New Testament	p. 64
Key Missionary Questions	p. 79
Pioneering in Niger: Trekking With Malam Langa Langa	p. 88
The Missionary Task	p. 94
A Brief Historical Overview of Missionary Practice	p. 95
The Central Missionary Task	p. 104
Pioneering in Senegal	p. 120
The Missionary Message	p. 125
Methodology or Message?	p. 126
Bandwagon or Balance?	p. 131
Mini or Maxi Message?	p. 139
Absentee Landlord or Reigning King?	p. 146
Evangelistic Persuasion or Divine Intervention?	p. 151
A Ladder up to Literacy and New Life	p. 160
The Missionary	p. 165
Searching for the Elusive Missionary	p. 166
Spiritual Giftedness	p. 174
Missionary Qualifications	p. 182
The Missionary Call	p. 191
Mullins' Strange Calling	p. 204
Missionary Teamwork	p. 207
Missions: A Team Effort	p. 208
Missions and the Sending Church	p. 216
Cabbages and Kids: The Family Factor in Burkina Faso	p. 236
The Missionary and Culture	p. 240
Understanding Culture	p. 241
Missionary Acculturation in the New Testament	p. 260
Sudan's Suffering Church	p. 277
Missionary Strategy	p. 279
Choosing A Mission Field: the Importance of Strategy	p. 280
Missions: Planned or Providential?	p. 288
Birds of a Feather: Bane or Blessing?	p. 293
Climbing the Discipleship Ladder in Pakistan: A Grass-Roots Revolution	p. 303
Missionary Work Proper	p. 307
Missions: Worship Before Work	p. 308
Missionary Adaptability	p. 316
Missionary Methodology	p. 324
Church Planting: The Central Task of Missions	p. 337
Missionary Specialists	p. 352
Missions and the National Church	p. 360
Conclusion	p. 378
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.