Studien zur interkulturellen Geschichte des Christentums / Etudes d'histoire interculturelle du christianisme / Studies in the Intercultural History of Christianity – serie

The denominational plurality in continental Europe keeps growing. The churches of African origin are of increasing number. Seeking for a new identity in their new home, the concept of Diaspora and the question for legal issues get important for their identity. To what extent is their identity determined rather by seclusion or openness? Are the churches missionizing amongst Germans and are there ecumenical relations? What are the characteristics of such a new identity? How does it develop? By analyzing three different types of churches of African origin in the German context, especially by examining their sermons, the author demonstrates how those churches develop in a missionary direction and how they can become ecumenical partners.

«Sino-Christian theology» usually refers to an intellectual movement emerged in Mainland China since the late 1980s. The present volume aims to provide a self-explaining sketch of the historical development of this theological as well as cultural movement. In addition to the analyses on the theoretical issues involved and the articulations of the prospect, concrete examples are also offered to illustrate the characteristics of the movement.

Standard works on Christology seldom give much consideration to the way Christ is perceived outside the Western tradition. The Other Jesus is an in depth study of understandings of the person of Jesus Christ by major Asian Christian theologians of the 20th century. Taking examples mainly from India and Japan, the author shows how the religious and social contexts of these countries have shaped the way in which Jesus has been understood. The final chapters examine how new approaches to Jesus have emerged from people movements in Asia in Dalit, Minjung, and feminist perceptions. Throughout the author seeks to relate Asian perspectives to Western Christologies, and to suggest ways in which they present challenges to the world wide church.

«Babel is everywhere! Migrant readings from Africa, Europe and Asia» sets out to explore the intersection between religion, identity and migration. It does so by telling entangled histories between diaspora/s and homeland and by analysing biblical in-roads to issues and challenges of migration. It also explores hyphenated identities and takes a close look at the role of migrant religion specifically regarding issues of mission, of identity formation and of ecclesial and societal formation. This book challenges static notions of diaspora, stable identities and Western-centred notions of Christianity and offers kaleidoscopic insights from Pentecostal, migrant and intercultural perspectives.

The study describes and analyses the history of mission studies and mission activities at Utrecht University (UU), from the establishment of UU in 1636 onwards. It also describes and examines the overseas ministries of Dutch, German, Hungarian, South African, and other alumni in the past 375 years. In each of the four periods of UU’s history (the years 1797, 1876, and 1968/69 functioning as watersheds), attention is paid to professors and lecturers, honorary doctors, doctors, and students and student bodies connected with mission. In the period 1968/69 until today the Inter-university Institute for Missiological and Ecumenical Research (IIMO), as well as missiological journals, series, and publications are dealt with. Special attention is paid to the Anti-Apartheid Fund, to missiological projects such as the Religious Education project (in cooperation with the University of Zimbabwe), and to the non-Western students who since the 17th century have studied theology in Utrecht.

Why do people join new congregations? How does this happen? And which consequences does this have for peoples belief and behavior? These are the main questions addressed in this comparative case study from the distinctively different contexts of Norway and Thailand. While joining a new congregation in Thailand in most cases is understood in terms of conversion, what happens in the Norwegian context is mainly referred to as a process of revitalized commitment. However, common in both contexts was that joining a new congregation implied an aspect of religious change. In order to understand this change, the author applies perspectives from contemporal conversion studies, such as Lewis R. Rambos typology of conversion, and from anthropological studies of change.

The Malankara Mar Thoma Church’s ecumenical outlook – marked by twin facets of openness and autonomy – has been the underlying ethos guiding its history, helping it to establish a unique identity. The book retells the church’s ecumenical history dating back to its founding in 52 CE. This study throws ample light on the period between the significant changes of 1889 and the present times. It deals with questions such as: How did the church start practising an ecumenical outlook even before the word ecumenism was coined? Could this have resulted from the church’s interaction with Indian culture that upholds unity in diversity?

Gandhi today is universally recognised as an international icon, but did his influence extend to the Vatican as well? The author unravels the answer by pursuing six research targets. The book opens with a historical inquiry into Gandhi’s unsuccessful attempt to meet Pius XI, and then goes on to examine the writings and speeches of the Popes from Pius XI to Benedict XVI who alluded to Gandhi. Adopting a hermeneutical slant, it also engages in a comparative study of the thoughts and actions of Pope Francis and Gandhi, and highlights some remarkable similarities that call for an explanation. In the process, the book explores and assesses the popular claim that Gandhi was influenced by Christ, and the not so popular conjecture that Francis was influenced by Gandhi.

Prosperity Gospel, a controversial strand in global Christianity, relates material wealth to divine blessing. Originating in American Pentecostal milieus, it is most successful in Africa. Authors from four continents present interdisciplinary, multi-sited and comparative analyses of Prosperity Gospel in Africa and beyond. Prosperity theologies adapt to varied political contexts and travel outside Pentecostalism into the wider religious arena. Its components trigger discourses within ecumenical Christianity and are transformed in transnational Christian networks of migrants; they turn up in African shrine religion and African Islam. Pastures of Plenty maps the evolving religio-scapes of Prosperity Gospel.

In the latest discussion on the relations between religions, it has often been argued that monotheism necessarily leads to intolerance and exclusivism. A religion which claims to worship «the one and only true God» is inevitably forced to reject every religious behaviour and practices of «the Other». But is this really the case? This volume contains contributions which discuss the major question: What are the instruments and the strategies used in different religious settings where interreligious encounter is part of daily life? Most of the contributions concentrate on the challenges of theology in the context of India. A special focus will be on approaches for interreligious coexistence derived from Biblical or Systematic Theology.

This book assesses the conceptualisation of international mission in the Methodist Church Ghana. It demonstrates that Ghanaian Methodists possess a robust ecclesiology with roots in the Akan concept of «abusua» and an evangelical theology rooted in John Wesley. The author gives interpretations to the ways mission takes place and proposes twelve models of mission whereby members of diasporic communities are agents of mission. As mission is seen a responsibility of the whole church, mission is a common theme related to the migration of Ghanaian Methodists to other contexts, often understood in terms of in the global North. The church’s presence in North America and Europe presents challenges and opportunities that must be negotiated in a broader Methodist mainline milieu.

This publication investigates new ways of understanding international churches. Based upon recent fieldwork, six migrant Christian communities in Rotterdam were analysed using congregational study methods on how they construct identity. Through the frames of ‘koinonia’, ‘diakonia’ and ‘kerygma’, this research reflects on their composition, characteristics, leadership style, language and social capital. Language is found to be an important shaper or ‘carrier’ of identity and acts both as badge and bridge of identity. In building identity, MCCs do not behave in ways expected or consistent with the process of integration.

The volume deals with the witness and the service of Protestants and Protestant churches in all nations and contexts and sketches Protestantism as a global renewal movement. It is active in the setting of all 171 nations with a non-Protestant religious or secular majority, and in the 28 Protestant majority nations. Protestantism wants to make all people 'mature' and all societies 'responsible.' It made the Bible the most translated book on earth and provided more songs and hymns than any other religion or movement. About 10 % of the world population is Protestant. But the impact of Protestantism on world culture is larger than 10 %. The book highlights the significance of Protestant Noble Peace Prize winners and martyrs. Billy Graham, Martin Luther King, Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela are the most influential Protestants in the post-war period. Protestants dream of a universal language, a universal statement of faith, and a universal hymn.

This volume offers approaches to intercultural theology and international diakonia from various disciplinary perspectives, starting from biblical and ecumenical theology to religious education, social work, and trauma therapy. The authors pay tribute to Professor Drea Fröchtling, who passed away in 2021. Throughout her life’s work, Drea played a pivotal role in strengthening ecumenical relations between African and German churches and advancing intercultural-theological research. Similarly, the authors of this book have dedicated themselves to theology that is not dominated by one cultural perspective but is developed in a world-wide and interdisciplinary dialogue. The book delves into questions of personal faith and doubts about God, as well as the need for more intercultural sensitivity, issues of political liberation and solidarity, the future of Christianity in its various forms and considers its collaboration both internally and with other faiths.

Who is the "Other"? In a culturally and religiously diverse world, how can the church build just relationships with the "Other" without compromising each party’s unique identity? In Relation without Relation, the author presents intercultural theology as a decolonizing approach to mission practice. He employs key concepts from Emmanuel Levinas, Jacques Derrida, and Homi Bhabha to provide a philosophical foundation. He advocates for an "Altruistic Model" of interfaith dialogue,which enriches missiology and mission practices, aiming to cultivate an intercultural church. Relation without Relation offers valuable resources for churches seeking to become intercultural and to practice mission alongside others, whether they are people of faith or not. While sustaining identities, participants create a welcoming third space where genuine dialogue occurs, fostering shared concern for justice.Relation without Relation offers a thoughtful and creative way of reimagining what it means to be an intercultural church, one that is also interreligious and decolonizing. Drawing from a rich array of resources, the book is an impressive achievement, promoting dialogue across differences based upon sharing concern for justice.Thomas Reynolds Emmanuel College, University of TorontoRelation without Relation seriously considers the implications of what it means to commit to interculturalism in Christian community in the 21st century. Engaging soundly with established models of Christian Mission, Cho makes a clear and compelling case for why ministry in the face of the Other has the potential to create hybrid spaces of welcome in the church.Carmen Lansdowne 44th Moderator, The United Church of Canada

The traditional concept of diakonia centres on servanthood and humble service, leading to inconsistencies in mission practice and necessitating revision. If diakonia continues to be defined as servanthood, it risks objectifying people, excluding them from being subjects of mission, failing to learn from others, and mystifying the power of domination. Since diakonia has been essential to the mission of the church from its early days, its interpretation significantly influences the church’s self-understanding, current mission and relationships with others. Decolonizing Diakonia explores these issues by examining the Bible, historical developments, theology of service, and Katherine B. Hockin’s companionship. This book discovers new language, images, and practices for diakonia that align with postcolonial contexts, emphasizing just, respectful, and compassionate relationships among those participating in God’s mission today. Hockin’s concept of diakonia as companionship is a fitting idea and practice for our mission. Her notion of companionship is inclusive, allowing everyone to participate in God’s mission as equals regardless of their status or privilege within society’s power structures. This companionship transforms the power dynamics from being for others into with each other. Decolonizing Diakonia contributes to a deeper understanding of the importance of intercultural and postcolonial hermeneutics as a critique of power and decolonizing mission practice. Anyone who deals in this era of fragmentation and the brokenness of our societies with human beings should make this book its own. Not thinking and acting for others and accordingly disempowering them or patronizing them, but in the approach of diaconal companionship, the focus is placed on acting with others, a togetherness that we urgently need in a post-colonial age. – Prof. Dr Benjamin Simon, Ecumenical Institute at Bossey/ World Council of ChurchesUsing biblical, historical, theological, philosophical, missiological, social and power analysis, Decolonizing Diakonia makes a compelling argument for moving away from the image of servanthood toward an embracing of the idea of companionship. Members of the diaconate and champions of intercultural sensitivity and inclusion will appreciate this powerful challenge to traditional thinking and will value the moving story-telling that Cho and Park share in this volume. – Ted Dodd, President DIAKONIA of the Americas and Caribbean Member of the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Diakonia Reference Group

The massive changes of Christianity during the 20th century raise the perennial question about its identity in a new, radical form. The author addresses the question of identity and asks how globalisation, religious pluralism, and the polycentric nature of Christianity affect Christian self-identification and theological reflection. First, religious life and theological reflection among believers in Jesus from Muslim and Hindu background in South Asia is presented in two empirical studies. Secondly, the findings are analysed and interpreted within a broad theoretical framework, drawing on models for syncretistic processes from history of religions, cultural anthropology, and Christian theology. Finally, the study concludes with a systematic-theological perspective on the interreligious hermeneutics underlying the changes of Christianity and discusses how interreligious hermeneutics might inform missiology as well as Christian theologies of religions and how this might challenge our understanding of the church’s nature and mission. In conclusion, it is argued that a global, polycentric Christianity can be interpreted as fellowship created by the Spirit and centred on Christ.

This volume is a collection of historical essays, describing and analyzing the link between Christian mission and education in modern China, Japan, and Korea. The authors come from China, Japan, Korea, Canada, the United States of America, and the Netherlands. The twelve essays are a selection from the papers given at the Sixth International Conference of the North East Asia Council of Studies of History of Christianity (NEACSHC), held in Seoul in 2007. The nine appendices of the volume offer basic information on both the previous conferences of this council and its constitution. After three Western essays, mainly dealing with the impact of Western educational mission on Asia and the secularization of Christian higher education, the volume offers four essays on China, two essays on Japan, and three essays on Korea. These Asian contributions do not only deal with pre-World War Two developments, but also with current affairs: they discuss the moral superiority feelings in mission schools before the war, the link between Christian and nationalistic education during the war, and the new crises, new challenges, new relations, and new perspectives after the war. In modern Japan and Korea women play a key role. In modern China there is a move from ‘cultural imperialism’ to ‘cultural exchange’, which opens up entirely new horizons and prospects for Christian higher education.

‘Leading Virtue’ explores the use of Alasdair MacIntyre’s tradition based model of ethics as a heuristic tool in analysing the contextualisation of Christian ethics. Ethical contextualisation is understood as the interaction and synthesis of particular Christian moral traditions with the moral traditions encountered in the different cultures where the Christian faith was established. This study argues that morality in African cultures may be better understood as discrete traditions. This claim is substantiated by historical and empirical studies of the Fante (Akan) and Methodist moral traditions and their interaction. These studies yield credible evidence that a Fante-Methodist moral tradition is emerging out of the encounter between the two traditions at the level of leadership practice. The resulting synthesis can serve as a model for the contextualisation of Christian ethics in other cultures.

This volume is a collection of historical and comparative essays, describing and analyzing Christian presence and progress in North-East Asia. The authors originate from China, Japan, Korea, Canada, the United States of America, and the Netherlands. The nineteen essays are a selection from the papers given at the Seventh International Conference of the North East Asia Council of Studies in History of Christianity (NEACSHC), held in Wuhan (China) in 2009. The volume has four parts: General, China, Japan, and Korea. The first part deals with the impact of Western interdenominationalism on the East and the future development of Christianity in China. The five papers on China cope with 19th and 20th century topics such as distribution of Christian literature, nationalism, modernization, Christian socialism, and Sino-theology. Comparisons with the situation in the other East-Asian countries are also made in the three papers on Japan, focusing on the beginning of Protestant mission work and Christian education. The final part, regarding Korea and consisting of four contributions, pays attention to recent developments in Bible translation, church planting, holiness mission, Korean diaspora Christianity, and the Korean War.

Studies in the Intercultural History of Christianity, published by Peter Lang since 1975, is nowadays the largest series in the wide field of missiology, intercultural theology, and comparative religion/theology. The present editors decided to celebrate the publication of no less than one hundred and fifty volumes by evaluating and rethinking «intercultural theology». This book is meant to encourage Christian theology to be done more thoroughly, adequately, and effectively in the contemporary global and local setting. On the one hand, the volume offers new insights into the nature of doing biblical studies, church history, and systematic and practical theology as well as comparative theology, in an intercultural way. On the other hand, it argues for accomplishing interdisciplinary studies in the fields of theology and religion.