Faith Seeking Effectiveness

The second half of the twentieth century saw tectonic changes in mission and theology. The changing face of Western Colonialism and the collapse of Western Chri... » 

The second half of the twentieth century saw tectonic changes in mission and theology. The changing face of Western Colonialism and the collapse of Western Christendom after 1945, meant that the ambiance and ethos in which the modern missionary movement had developed no longer existed. Mission was in crisis. This crisis, along with the formation of the World Council of Churches and theological developments within the International Missionary Council such as the missio Dei concept, meant that the foundations of Christian Mission were crumbling. Christians were challenged to rethink the motives, message, methods and goals of mission. This thesis examines the missionary theology of M ez Bonino, whose ministry spanned the ca. fifty turbulent years of missionary, ecclesiastical and theological ferment that formed the second half of the Twentieth Century. He developed a missionary theology from ‘the underside of history’ which, this thesis argues, is applicable, not only to a missionary movement from the geographical south, but also to missionary theology in general.
Paul Davies is currently Dean of Post-Graduate Studies and Tutor in Theology of Mission at All Nations Christian College. With his wife, Wilma, he spent ten years in Latin America involved in mission training and facilitation. He taught biblical, historical and theological subjects related to mission in three seminaries in Argentina as well as travelling widely within Latin America, teaching and giving seminars. He also was a member of various mission boards in Latin America including the executive committee of COMIBAM International. «