Systematic Theology

Gregory Leffel links a description of the church as a global movement with a description of contemporary social movements that are actively challenging today's societies, such as the environmental, global justice, and identity movements. Not surprisingly, Christian communities and communities of social activists share much in common as they each work to enrich their societies. It is natural then to ask what missionally-concerned Christians may learn from social movements about the public role of their churches, the connection of their beliefs to social change, and the mobilization of their people. It can also be asked how these often divided communities may find ways to collaborate around common actions rooted in such shared values as peace, justice, life, and the integrity of the environment.

Two prominent figures in missiology worldwide bring together a number of the biggest names in the field in this edited volume of essays on mission. Each contributor (including Jonny Baker, Kirsteen Kim, Gavin D'Costa, Emma Wild-Wood, Robert Schreiter, Mark Heim, and Tom [N.T.] Wright) considers mission through the lens of “prophetic dialogue,” in the tradition of the Bevans/Schreiter approach to mission. The book is theological rather than issues-based.