Abstract
In this research, the 2013 mission affirmation of the World Council of Churches’ (WCC), Together towards life – Mission and evangelism in changing landscapes (TTL), is evaluated through a rather unique hermeneutical lens by interpreting and assessing the ecumenical discourse in the light of the book by Kester Brewin, Mutiny, Why we love pirates and how they can save us (2012), and by integrating these insights. The research acknowledges the emphasis on life-affirming mission in TTL, and the approach that a theological bridge is established between the Christian faith, secular worldviews, indigenous religions, and wisdom traditions, because the gospel is good news for all of creation. The following questions are investigated in the light of this: How can the idea of life be reconciled with the mission of God? What is the content and scope of “life” and what is “life” all about? The focus is on the economic political-social consequences of adapting “life” as a theological point of departure. The research integrates a re-evaluation of piracy, as unpacked by Brewin, with the missional endeavour of discernment and the discovery of what “fullness of life” can mean in our day and times. It discusses piracy and mission as: resistance against the idolatry in the free-market economy; the restoration of the commons and koinonia in places where relationships flourish; living in the margins; and economic and ecological liberation in the Kingdom as a place of freedom.
Highlights
The research acknowledges the emphasis on life-affirming mission in TTL, and the approach that a theological bridge is established between the Christian faith, secular worldviews, indigenous religions, and wisdom traditions, because the gospel is good news for all of creation
This document refers to this aspect of mission: “The Church, as the body of Christ, acts by the power of the Holy Spirit, to continue this life-giving mission in prophetic and compassionate ministry and so participates in God’s work of healing a broken world” (WCC 2013:8)
The affirmation thereby establishes a theological bridge between the Christian faith, secular worldviews, indigenous religions, and wisdom traditions – for, because the gospel is good news for all of creation, it is vital to recognize God’s mission in a cosmic sense, and to affirm all life, the whole oikoumene, as being interconnected in God’s web of life
Summary
What is life all about? What is life in fullness, as referred to by the World Council of Churches’ (WCC) in the new mission affirmation, Together towards life – Mission and evangelism in changing landscapes (TTL)? When one evaluates TTL, the focus on the relationship with creation and life in all its fullness is very clear. God created the whole oikoumene in God’s image and constantly works in the world to affirm and safeguard life.” This is emphasised in the very statement: “God invites us into the life-giving mission of the Triune God and empowers us to bear witness to the vision of abundant life for all in the new heaven and earth”. Due to the wide scope and multitude of ideas involved in the concept of life, the focus will be on the economic-political- social consequences of adapting “life” as a theological point of departure These questions will be explored through a rather unique hermeneutical lens by interpreting and assesing the ecumenical discourse (TTL) in the light of the book by Kester Brewin, Mutiny, Why we love pirates and how they can save us (2012), and by integrating these insights
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