Book Review
Dictionary of Mission Theology: Evangelical Foundations
John Corrie (ed.), InterVarsity Press: Nottingham & Illinois, 2007, pp. 461 + xvii, US$36.95
Para leer esta crítica en español clic aquí.
This is an unusual missionary publication because it focuses on theology rather than evangelism. In this way it is different from the Diccionario Hispano-Americano de la Misión por Pablo A. Deiros. Although both publications are a similar size, John Corrie´s work is more thorough but with less subjects. For example Deiros covers Latin American theology in one paragraph, whereas the same subject in The Dictionary of Mission Theology covers 4.5 pages.
The principal editor, John Corrie worked for 5 years in the pastorate in Lima, Peru, and so has an appreciation of the reality of missions and particularly of the South American dimension. He is tutor of missions at an Anglican theological college in England.
A variety of themes are covered within the book rather than simply the traditional areas of theology. For instance: Art, Marketplace Theology, Narrative, Prosperity Theology, Managerial Missiology, Shamanism and Witchcraft.
Of these articles one that particularly affects the church in Latin America is prosperity theology. The author, Norberto Saracco, looks at its precursors, doctrines and then gives a critical appraisal followed by missiological implications. “Managerial Missiology” written by Samuel Escobar, includes critical comments on the use of people groups and statistics in defining mission activity. “Narrative” by Martin Goldsmith looks at the use of Jewish narrative forms and storytelling in proclamation.
There are articles on more directly practical subjects such as: Children, Church Planting, Development, Drama, Family, Health/Healing, Holistic mission, Hospitality, Short-term mission, Urban mission, and Youth culture.
Apart from those writers already mentioned, quite a number of well-known authors have contributed, such as Chris Wright on “Old Testament Perspectives on Mission”; Andrew Kirk on “Posmodernity”; René Padilla on “Holistic Mission”; and Andrew Walls on “History”.
Altogether, there are 160 articles contributed by writers from the Far East, Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe. Of the Latin American authors 5 are from Brazil, 4 from Argentina and 3 from both Peru and Costa Rica. Notable contributions include Samuel Escobar “Latin American Theology”; Ruben Parades “Indigenous Peoples”; Samuel Cueva “Partnership”; Fernando Bullón “Development”; Alex Chaing “Proclamation”; Catherine Padilla “Love”; and Juan Stam on the Resurrection.
Not surprisingly a number of the articles have a limited relevance for Latin American readers, for example: African Christology, African initiated churches, Buddhist relations, Dalits, Hindu relations and Minjung theology.
The publication also suffers from the problem of all dictionaries: it is just summary information. Also there is an unusual breadth of articles for a theological dictionary which can lead to the question as to what extent theological foundations are being used. Most of the writers come from a background of missiology rather than theology.
But one aim of the publication is to show that “all theological categories are inherently missiological and all missiological categories are profoundly theological” and so “to explore themes in such a way as to make an original contribution to current thinking” (pp. xv-xvi). As such the Dictionary is fascinating reading as is illustrated in this extract from the article on Art by Laurel Gasque:
“The issues and implications of art for mission are manifold. The question of when a work of art is religiously syncretistic or simply contextualizing the faith remains to be explored. The idea that art is a luxury that we can well live without is refuted by the enormous amount of art made in Second World War concentration camps and by the poorest peoples of the world as well as by the irresistible need of believers of all kinds in all parts of the world to create art. These instances demonstrate art to be a necessity for our humanity and an expression that human beings are made in the image of God, who is Creator and ultimate artist.”
For pastors and seminary students involved in missions this book is a great resource of interesting themes and new ideas.
David E. C. Ford, Profesor de Nuevo Testamento,
Fundación Universitaria Seminario Bíblico de Colombia, Medellín, Colombia