A Missional Method for Constructive Theology (Part 5) So far, I have sketched my question, thesis, and working definitions of missional, and missiology. In this post, I briefly survey recent proposals for missional theological method from Stephen Bevans, Paul Chung, Stan Nussbaum, and Jason Sexton.[1. When I wrote this survey, Sexton’s book, The End of Theology: ShapingContinue reading “Four Recent Proposals for Missional Theological Method”
Author Archives: Greg
Two Years into the Program
This fall I begin the third year of my PhD studies at Fuller. The program has been ideal for me because of its flexibility and openness to interdisciplinarity. From within the theology concentration and the New Testament minor concentration in the School of Theology, I’ve been able to work on theological hermeneutics from various angles,Continue reading “Two Years into the Program”
An Intertextual Reflection on Cruciform Leadership
Leadership not “like the nations”? I hear a lot about “servant leadership” in Christian circles. Nonetheless, I see a lot of tacit, unexamined interest in and exercise of coercive power. For God’s people, conforming to the cultural patterns of leadership of the “nations” among which we live has always been easy. In fact, there is no evidence that IsraelContinue reading “An Intertextual Reflection on Cruciform Leadership”
Working Definition of “Missiology”
A Missional Method for Constructive Theology (Part 4) Missiology in Theological Perspective Because missiology’s relationship to the rest of the theological curriculum has been uncertain since its inception, the discipline’s definition itself highlights the a methodological question for my approach to missional theology. How does the study of mission relate to constructive theology? The historical transitionsContinue reading “Working Definition of “Missiology””
Working Definition of “Missional”
A Missional Method for Constructive Theology (Part 3) The Meaning of Missional It has been nearly twenty years since the publication of Missional Church, which introduced the term missional into mainstream theological discourse in North America. Equally as important, it has been nearly forty years since Lesslie Newbigin published The Open Secret, which purported toContinue reading “Working Definition of “Missional””
The Expanse Is Outstanding
The books, not the TV show. The show is fun, but the books kill. Some of my favorite things: There is a sort of realism about future tech and the nature of life in space that is often missing in scifi, which in turn gives perspective on alien tech that is exponentially advanced and basically incomprehensible. TheContinue reading “The Expanse Is Outstanding”
My Thesis
A Missional Method for Constructive Theology (Part 2) Missional theology is a movement without a method—a movement with many methods. Born of interculturality, contextualism, and an adaptive instinct, the missional disposition entails a certain eclecticism, even a methodological relativism. Indeed, the commitment to mission precedes the question of method and judges the demand for methodologicalContinue reading “My Thesis”
The Edomite or the Samaritan?
Reading Obadiah alongside the Good Samaritan Most of us are familiar with the story of the good Samaritan. But there is more than one story in the Bible about deciding what to do with vulnerable travelers. Obadiah (NRSV) The vision of Obadiah. 1 Thus says the Lord GOD concerning Edom: We have heard a reportContinue reading “The Edomite or the Samaritan?”
Evaluating Mission Work
Talking with a missionary (read: full-time, cross-cultural kingdom worker) recently, something struck me about the way we evaluate mission work. We use “vision statements” to set an evaluative standard. In other words, we take a best-case scenario—essentially an aspiration—and make it a measure of effectiveness. If a mission team’s vision statement is, “A movement of disciples whoContinue reading “Evaluating Mission Work”
Hopes for the Kingkiller Chronicle Adaptation
I haven’t read epic fantasy better written than Patrick Rothfuss’s series, The Kingkiller Chronicle. I love a lot of other stuff—cherish it, get lost in it. I’m not complaining about the quality of other great stories. But Rothfuss is doing something else. He’s working on multiple levels. He’s toying with the reader. He’s making verbal music. And he’s pullingContinue reading “Hopes for the Kingkiller Chronicle Adaptation”
Scripture & Mission 