Be Focused Use Common Sense Overcome Excuses And Stupidity

Manfred Kohl has served in many senior roles in theological education, and holds the distinction of having personally visited more theological institutions than anyone else in history (495). He has published over 120 books and articles and has received numerous awards and honorary doctorate degrees. He founded World Vision, the well-known Christian Humanitarian Organization, in several European Countries; Re-Forma., which has set a global standard for non-formal theological education; the Galilean Movement, calling for annually an additional 1 million women and men for biblical ministry and co-chairs the Integrity Commission of the World Evangelical Alliance and the Lausanne Movement. In this festschrift, more than 30 scholars from around the world pay tribute to this remarkable man, by each contributing an article focused on the areas of his career where he has made telling contributions. As theological educators, theologians, Christian leaders and students read this book, it will not only result in his legacy living on, but will make a significant contribution to theological education, both in the formal and non-formal sectors.

Manfred Kohl has served in many senior roles in theological education, and holds the distinction of having personally visited more theological institutions than anyone else in history (495). He has published over 120 books and articles and has received numerous awards and honorary doctorate degrees. He founded World Vision, the well-known Christian Humanitarian Organization, in several European Countries; Re-Forma., which has set a global standard for non-formal theological education; the Galilean Movement, calling for annually an additional 1 million women and men for biblical ministry and co-chairs the Integrity Commission of the World Evangelical Alliance and the Lausanne Movement. In this festschrift, more than 30 scholars from around the world pay tribute to this remarkable man, by each contributing an article focused on the areas of his career where he has made telling contributions. As theological educators, theologians, Christian leaders and students read this book, it will not only result in his legacy living on, but will make a significant contribution to theological education, both in the formal and non-formal sectors.

As the church grows ever larger in areas once considered impervious to the gospel, theological training is failing to keep up with the needs of local congregations. This lack of missional capacity, alongside an overwhelming shortage of trained leadership, indicates a pressing need to revisit the aims and approaches of theological education globally. Engaging qualitative research from South Asia, Dr. Jessy Jaison demonstrates that both formal and non-formal approaches to theological training can support the church’s missional calling. However, she challenges the growing normalization that theological education is an end in itself, distant from those it was meant to serve. Dr. Jaison calls for a church-centered paradigm in which all forms of training would collaborate with and for the body of Christ. Not only will readers be introduced to theological education in the the South Asian context, they will also benefit from the practical and collaborative model demonstrated and how they can revitalize the process in supporting the church in its mission.

World of Theology Series Thomas K. Johnson: The First Step in Missions Training: How our Neighbors are Wrestling with God's General Revelation Thomas K. Johnson: Christian Ethics in Secular Cultures David Parker: Discerning the Obedience of Faith: A Short Histo- ry of the World Evangelical Alliance Theological Commission Thomas Schirrmacher (Ed.): William Carey: Theologian - Lin- guist - Social Reformer Thomas Schirrmacher: Advocate of Love - Martin Bucer as Theologian and Pastor Thomas Schirrmacher: Culture of Shame / Culture of Guilt Thomas Schirrmacher: The Koran and the Bible Thomas Schirrmacher (ed.): The Humanisation of Slavery in the Old Testament Jim Harries: New Foundations for Appreciating Africa: Beyond Religious and Secular Deceptions Thomas Schirrmacher: Missio Dei - God's Missional Nature Thomas Schirrmacher: Biblical Foundations for 21st Century World Mission

For the last 50 years, one of the most important discussions in global evangelicalism has concerned the idea of holistic mission, which proposes the integration of verbal evangelism and social engagement within Christian mission. This book examines how key terms such as “evangelism” and “mission” have been understood in contemporary evangelical declarations from 1966 to 2011, in the Bible, and in the missiological debate. It adopts an in-depth approach to the historical, biblical and theological analysis. The main thesis is that the different conceptions of evangelism and mission in general, and that of holistic mission in particular, have their root in the worldview of the various theologians and Christian leaders preparing these statements. The book evaluates the missiological conceptions of evangelism and mission proposed in the various declarations in the light of the Bible, so as to derive a biblical understanding of evangelism and mission.

Asia is by far the largest continent in the world. The global expansion of the church, which emanated from the Middle East (as explored in the first book in the series) moved along various routes to take root in Asia proper. Christianity in Asia is extraordinarily diverse, with very ancient forms of the faith dating to the time of the apostles. The western church will be enlightened by the dynamic, multi-pronged Asian story of Christianity. Asian Christianity is also distinct due to the numerous non-traditional, house, or cell movements found throughout the region. The diversity of Christianity in Asia makes Christians in this region critical for the future of global Christianity.