Rev. Wong once shared how evangelicals are making an impact in CWM... but encountered opposition against evangelism from an Asian theologian, who presented a case for 'missio Dei'...
Apparently, Rev Wong came prepared (by bringing along Dr Ng Kam Weng for more 'firepower')
So I was curious how 'mission of God' (missio Dei) could be used against evangelism?
Taken from David Bosch "Transforming Mission" (nicknamed: summa missiologica)
Missio Dei reminds us that "man or church can never be the author or bearer of mission. Ultimately mission is the work of the Triune God for the world, in which the church is privileged to participate."
Karl Barth hoped to protect mission against secularisation, (ie identifying our ideologies capitalism or socialism as mission) and reserve it for God only.
Missio Dei locates mission in Trinity, not ecclesiology or soteriology. Just as the Father sent the Son, the Son sent the Holy Spirit, so is the church sent to the world
Missionary activities are authentic only insofar as they reflect God's mission.
But the concept has become a Trojan horse for the American dream to be fetched behind the walls of ecumenical theology.
Later theolgians wud emphasize tat the scope of missio Dei should be God's concern for the entire world, taking place in ordinary human history, not exclusively through the church. (salvation history?)
God's mission (viewed pneumatologically rather than Christologically) is bigger than the church.
Human history is God's advancement of His reign, the church encounters a world in which God's salvation is already operative secretly. The logic appears to be: Since he's already at work, dun go disturb...
Apparently, Rev Wong came prepared (by bringing along Dr Ng Kam Weng for more 'firepower')
So I was curious how 'mission of God' (missio Dei) could be used against evangelism?
Taken from David Bosch "Transforming Mission" (nicknamed: summa missiologica)
Missio Dei reminds us that "man or church can never be the author or bearer of mission. Ultimately mission is the work of the Triune God for the world, in which the church is privileged to participate."
Karl Barth hoped to protect mission against secularisation, (ie identifying our ideologies capitalism or socialism as mission) and reserve it for God only.
Missio Dei locates mission in Trinity, not ecclesiology or soteriology. Just as the Father sent the Son, the Son sent the Holy Spirit, so is the church sent to the world
Missionary activities are authentic only insofar as they reflect God's mission.
But the concept has become a Trojan horse for the American dream to be fetched behind the walls of ecumenical theology.
Later theolgians wud emphasize tat the scope of missio Dei should be God's concern for the entire world, taking place in ordinary human history, not exclusively through the church. (salvation history?)
God's mission (viewed pneumatologically rather than Christologically) is bigger than the church.
Human history is God's advancement of His reign, the church encounters a world in which God's salvation is already operative secretly. The logic appears to be: Since he's already at work, dun go disturb...
Comments
I would think, in fact, that a 'Missio Dei' view should ENCOURAGE missions, not threaten it: Since God is at work - 'already there ahead of us' - be brave, encouraged and inspired to witness/serve.
yes, I agree tat 'Missio Dei' view should ENCOURAGE missions...
i'm very keen to know, :)
Christian Hedonism implies "pleasure seeking"... it reminds us of 'happy go lucky' Christians who have no inkling of suffering and costs of taking up the cross, see? :)
Normally this comes under the label 'antinomianism' sometimes or 'against the law' folks...
Whether John Piper address this issue, we may find out first hand at www.desiringgod.org
Btw City Harvest pastor "Kong Hee" released a CD attacking antinomian heresies recently... the cover features pictures of Bonhoeffer, Luther etc which took me by total surprise! I din think I'd live to see this day ... hehehe.....
anti-nomianism, if i've gotten it right, is LESS about 'pleasure' than about 'lawlessness'. The latter gives rise to or justifies the former.
hmm, which CD is that? i couldn't find in the C.Harvest website...
Christian Hedonism wud probably say that lawlessness is too easily satisfied when an infinite ocean of pleasure if found in God's law and grace ehehe...