Evangelical Mission Research Articles

Walking in Parallel: Roman Catholicism and Protestant Christianity in Korea, 1899–1945

In the early twentieth century, Korean Catholic and Protestant Churches found themselves in a period of significant power transition, from a neo-Confucian dynasty to a colonial regime. Imperial Japan and Christianity thus posed a mutual challenge: church leaders worked to sustain and increase their Evangelical mission field within Korea's new socio-political environment, while, simultaneously, the Japanese depended on the cooperation of the Korean Christian communities to fulfil their colonial project. In this dynamic of State-Church relations, Catholics and Protestants constantly vied for ascendancy. This article examines how the two Christian denominations engaged with each other and with Korea's coloniser, as imperial Japan's policies varied and its international status fluctuated.

Islam as the Problem, Christianity as the Solution

Abstract This article analyses Christian missionaries working on converting Muslim Iranians to Christianity. Their methods are based on a logic of rupture and discontinuity with Islam, presenting Christianity as the solution to a moral-political crisis of Iranians in the Islamic Republic. Anti-Islam is the focus of this conversion discourse. In a transnational Christian network formed by Iranians and non-Iranians, the evangelical missionaries work with methodology that breaks and dialogues with society and the local culture of their target audience, presenting evangelical Christianity as an alternative for Iranians. This research was carried out based on participant observation in missionary groups and Christian churches for Iranians, via digital media and face-to-face, contributing to the understanding of the conversion of Muslims to evangelical Christianity.

Pandangan Pendeta GPP Siaro Tentang Membela Iman di Tengah Tengah Jemaat Dalam Kitab Roma 10 : 14-15

This research examines Pastor GPP Siaro's views on defending the faith in the congregation, with a special focus on the interpretation of Romans 10:14. This verse highlights the importance of preaching the Gospel and the vital role of preachers in strengthening the congregation's faith. Through a qualitative approach, this research explores how Pastor GPP Siaro applies the principles of Romans 10:14 in his pastoral context. Research findings show that Pastor GPP Siaro emphasizes the importance of in-depth teaching, conveying God's word that is relevant to the context of the congregation, as well as empowering the congregation to be active in evangelistic missions. Pastor GPP Siaro also views that defending the faith is not only the task of church leaders, but is the responsibility of every member of the congregation. This research provides valuable insight into effective pastoral strategies in defending and strengthening faith in congregations, as well as the contribution of Bible verses in shaping theological and pastoral practice.

Tafsir Historis Kritis Terhadap Matius 5:27-31

This research examines Pastor GPP Siaro's views on defending the faith in the congregation, with a special focus on the interpretation of Romans 10:14. This verse highlights the importance of preaching the Gospel and the vital role of preachers in strengthening the congregation's faith. Through a qualitative approach, this research explores how Pastor GPP Siaro applies the principles of Romans 10:14 in his pastoral context. Research findings show that Pastor GPP Siaro emphasizes the importance of in-depth teaching, conveying God's word that is relevant to the context of the congregation, as well as empowering the congregation to be active in evangelistic missions. Pastor GPP Siaro also views that defending the faith is not only the task of church leaders, but is the responsibility of every member of the congregation. This research provides valuable insight into effective pastoral strategies in defending and strengthening faith in congregations, as well as the contribution of Bible verses in shaping theological and pastoral practice

Tinjauan Kritis Terhadap Misi Penginjilan Paulus Terhadap Dinamika Kontemporer Dan Tantangan Dalam Masyarakat Modern

This research uses a mixed approach to investigate the dynamics of Evangelical Missions in the context of modern society. By combining qualitative interviews, quantitative surveys, social media analysis, and focus groups, this research aims to understand how shifting social values and technology influence approaches to evangelism. Findings will provide a holistic view of the challenges and opportunities in conveying the Gospel message in the contemporary era. Literature studies support the theoretical foundation, while interviews and surveys involve active participation from various community groups. Social media content analysis reveals patterns in messaging, and focuses on providing groups with a platform to hear people's voices. It is hoped that the results of this research can provide a significant contribution to the practical and theoretical understanding of Evangelical Missions in an increasingly complex modern society.

Teaching and Preaching

Abstract During European colonial times in Africa and elsewhere, missionary education was an integral part of the colonial instruments for political domination, economic exploitation, and cultural assimilation. This paper aims to investigate the process of making colonial subjects through missionary education that was mainly provided by Catholic and Evangelical mission schools during the Italian colonial period in Eritrea. The paper argues that the Catholic and Evangelical mission schools distinctively worked to achieve their separate objectives that can be explained as employment versus salvation, teaching versus preaching, flag versus Bible, and hands versus soul, respectively. While the Catholic mission school focused on training the hand in order to supply labour, the Evangelical mission school stressed harvesting the soul to cultivate a docile labour force. Despite their differences, the works of the Catholic and Evangelical mission schools placed much emphasis on and exerted much effort to producing a class of colonial subjects that could serve as brokers of power.

The Quality of Priest Services Manifested Through the Activity of Congregation Members in Evangelization

This study investigates the theological, pastoral, leadership and relational aspects of the pastor's ministry, which are reflected in the activeness of congregation members in the church's mission of evangelization. The descriptive literature study method was used to assess these aspects. The research results show that pastors must have a strong theological understanding, social sensitivity, the ability to build strong relationships with the congregation, and the ability to be a transformational leader. This study shows that the motivations of faith, love, and obedience to God's commands influence the activeness of congregation members in evangelistic missions. Through direct involvement in mission activities, pastors function as agents of transformation and serve as role models in building an evangelical culture in the church. This study increases our understanding of the complex relationship between the quality of pastors' ministry and congregation members' participation in church evangelism. Some practical consequences of these findings include establishing new methods to enhance the pastor's role in guiding and motivating congregations and creating an environment that supports participation in the church's evangelistic mission.

Misi Penginjilan Paulus: Pandangan Moderasi Beragama Dan Inklusivitas

This paper explores the views of religious moderation and inclusivity in the evangelizing mission of Paul, a major apostle in early Christian society. Through analysis of Paul's letters, especially those related to evangelism, this paper aims to understand how the principles of religious moderation, inclusive attitudes, and the love of Christ became the foundation of Paul's mission of evangelism. This paper also explores the relevance of these principles in the context of evangelism in the modern era. The Apostle Paul's views on religious moderation in the context of evangelistic missions, with a primary focus on the central role of Christ's love in shaping and supporting early Christian evangelistic efforts. Through analysis of Paul's letters, research findings highlight that the views of moderation and inclusiveness promoted by Paul reflect the principles of unconditional love. The love of Christ, at the center of Paul's views, is not only a theological theme but also an intrinsic attraction that influences the hearts and souls of individuals. Paul's inclusive and moderate attitude formed the foundation of a Christian community that was open and welcoming to all levels of society. The implications of this view are highly relevant in designing modern evangelistic strategies that incorporate the love of Christ as a central force.

Apostasy in Islam and Christian Mission of Evangelization

Apostasy in Islam and Christian Mission of Evangelization

Strategi Pelayanan Misi Gereja di Era Digital dan Integrasi Terhadap Generasi Zillenial

The challenge of the church with digital developments in the 20th century has amazed many church communities difficult to adapt to technological developments, especially in doing evangelism. Although there are churches that have begun to adapt to technology, it cannot be denied that there are still churches that still cannot keep up with its development in acting to preach the gospel to the congregation, and especially for young people or often called the zillennial generation (Gen Z) through social media. Ironically, technology is more interesting to Gen Z than theology today. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to offer an ideology about the essentials of the church and efforts to carry out evangelistic missions in the digital era. The result of this research is that the church can be clearly understood in the digital era and is able to do mission through the church's social media with the aim of not reaching people who do not know the church, but reaching people who do not know the true Christian faith. So that the responsibility of the church can be successful by carrying out the mission of preaching the gospel in the digital era along with its development.

How the Nineteenth-century Evangelical Revival Strengthened Faith and Undermined Christendom

This article deals with the paradoxical relationship between the nineteenth-century Evangelical Revival and secularization. It is argued here that the revival and its worldview played a role in increasing pluralism and choice in the nineteenth century – a process often related to secularization. The Evangelical movement both attempted to oppose modernity and rationalism and emphasized religious freedom, voluntarism, and individualism. It therefore induced and popularized self-reflection, doubt, and deconversion. It also favoured religious democracy in opposition to a state-imposed religious monopoly (at least in northern Europe). Furthermore, by dividing people into believers and nonbelievers, it emphasized religious polarization. This contributed to an undermining of established religious structures, fragmenting and pluralizing the religious landscape and giving people the option to abstain completely from religious commitment. The Swedish confessional (inner mission) revivalist denomination Evangeliska Fosterlands-Stiftelsen (EFS – approx. the Swedish Evangelical Mission Society), founded in 1856, is used as a case. The popular literature they published and distributed manifested an evangelical worldview. In this article four themes, based on the popular literature, are used to study empirically the changing role of religion in relation to nineteenth-century revivalism: ‘the dualistic worldview’; ‘conversion’; ‘activism’; and ‘self-reflection’.

The Messianic Secret and the Significance of Preaching in Gabriele Biondo, Otto Brunfels, and Celio Secondo Curione

Abstract The “messianic secret” in the New Testament refers to instances where Christ instructed his followers to keep silent about his identity. While contemporary studies on the messianic secret have predominantly employed the historico-critical method, the Early Modern Period witnessed diverse interpretations that focused on edification and moralization. These interpretations emphasized the concealed Messiah’s identity, the act of revelation, and the duty to transmit the divine message as inseparable aspects of the Christian faith. The primary objective of this study is to explore the development of messianic secret interpretations in the first half of the sixteenth century. The study aims to address key questions such as: How were Jesus’s injunctions to silence interpreted? How did these interpretations shape biblical readings, preaching practices, and the evangelical mission? Did they impact the definition of the Church? Through a comparative analysis, this study examines the interpretations of three relatively contemporary authors – Gabriele Biondo, Otto Brunfels, and Celio Secondo Curione. It argues for the interconnectedness between biblical exegesis, preaching, the audience, theological concepts like predestination, holy remnant, and salvation, as well as the organization of the Church. Ultimately, this research demonstrates that diverse interpretations of Jesus’s actions and the messianic secret were rooted in changes in exegetical methods, the definition of the Church, and the understanding of the salvific message conveyed by Christ.

Whose Story?

Over the years, narrative theology has raised multiple objections by evangelicals. Many of these objections are well-founded and deserve attention. Newer research in biblical theology and orality, however, demonstrates that the use of narrative in our theologizing has true transformative potential. Can narrative theology be redeemed so as to be a help, and not a hindrance, in evangelical mission? In this article, the author advances that the dangers of narrative theology ought to be taken seriously, while at the same time, ministry leaders ought also to consider its potential benefits.

Estratégias e praticas de tradução do Padre Joaquim Gonçalves

Translation plays a crucial role in the mission of evangelization and education of indigenous languages carried out by missionaries. However, its relevance has often been overlooked in studies conducted within the field of missionary linguistics as well as in the history of translation. Joaquim Afonso Gonçalves (1781–1841) stands as one of the most prominent figures in European sinology, particularly renowned for his trilogy composed of Arte China (1829), Diccionario Portuguez-China (1831), and Diccionario China-Portuguez (1833). This innovative language learning method for teaching Chinese to Westerners in the Far East has garnered significant recognition. The bilingual resources encompassed within this tripartite corpus enable a wide range of contrastive studies, including the study of translation, a monumental didactic tool that is also a major objective of missionary teaching. The author's translation strategies are rarely explicitly documented in his works: only two manifestos found in the preface of his first dictionary touch upon the technique of adaptation through domestication and the use of loanwords within the context of foreignization – two fundamental strategies in modern translation theory. This study will firstly interpret these two observations, along with other scattered reflections on translation found throughout the interconnected three volumes. Subsequently, an analysis of the author's translation practices will be conducted, aiming to comprehend the choices and challenges encountered by the author in the process of converting intercultural references. The outcome of this study will shed light on the significance of these bilingual instructional materials for the study of translation between Portuguese and Chinese.

Sonic Domination and the Politics of Race in Southern Antebellum Hymnody

AbstractReligious music served a political function in the southern United States during the antebellum period. This article examines catechisms and hymnbooks used by white evangelical missionaries and slaveowners in the antebellum South, arguing that the planter elite deployed hymns as a medium to assert white supremacy. The term sonic domination identifies processes whereby sound functioned as a social tool to maintain discipline and order among the enslaved population. Black and white people sang hymns in church, at interracial revivals, and during civic services; they were also heard on bells and cited in poetry. English texts and tunes included in slave catechisms and white portrayals of Black singing highlight the role of evangelical hymns in maintaining plantation order in the Old South. At the same time, enslaved Black Christians found creative ways to circumvent the oppressive power of the white elite through song. African Americans employed English hymns in their own religious rituals and used them to convey hidden meanings on the plantation. Both genres, which interacted and ultimately influenced each other, contributed to an eventual codification of American evangelical hymnody.

Mindfulness as praeparatio evangelica in the Irish Catholic Primary School

Mindfulness has exploded in popularity across several elements of Irish society, including Catholic primary schools. This growth of the practice is set against the backdrop of a secularized and detraditionalized Irish society. This changed context for religious belief, as explored by Michael Paul Gallagher, Charles Taylor and Lieven Boeve, has challenged the Irish Church’s mission of evangelization. The challenges faced by Irish Catholic schools, as ecclesial entities, in living out this evangelizing mission highlight the growing necessity for pre-evangelization. These issues include a breakdown in the home, school and parish partnership model for faith formation and development, and a contemporary ‘educational emergency.’ This article examines the contribution of mindfulness as praeparatio evangelica in Catholic schools, focusing on it as a contemplative practice and as a means of enflaming sacramental imagination.

Newman and the Religion of the Future

AbstractAlthough underappreciated in his own day, Catholic convert John Henry Newman was remarkably prophetic about the challenges that lay ahead for the Catholic faith. In his 1873 sermon titled, ‘The Infidelity of the Future’, Newman warned of a time when the Church would face not only the cold indifference of agnosticism but also the targeted hostility of those opposed to both God and religion. Yet Newman was not without hope or wisdom for the future Church. This essay examines Newman's insistence upon the need to cultivate an ‘ecclesiastical spirit’ and an ‘intelligent faith’. It specifically explores how Catholic institutions of higher education can respond to Newman's call and assist in bringing about a renewal in the evangelical mission of the Church, providing a much-needed alternative to the wisdom of the world.

Teaching and Preaching

Abstract During European colonial times in Africa and elsewhere, missionary education was an integral part of the colonial instruments for political domination, economic exploitation, and cultural assimilation. This paper aims to investigate the process of making colonial subjects through missionary education that was mainly provided by Catholic and Evangelical mission schools during the Italian colonial period in Eritrea. The paper argues that the Catholic and Evangelical mission schools distinctively worked to achieve their separate objectives that can be explained as employment versus salvation, teaching versus preaching, flag versus Bible, and hands versus soul, respectively. While the Catholic mission school focused on training the hand in order to supply labour, the Evangelical mission school stressed harvesting the soul to cultivate a docile labour force. Despite their differences, the works of the Catholic and Evangelical mission schools placed much emphasis on and exerted much effort to producing a class of colonial subjects that could serve as brokers of power.

The Part of the Protestant Church in the Processes of Exiting Electoral Crises in Francophone Black Africa

The analysis presented in this paper starts from an observation that generally shows pluralist electoral competitions in Francophone (French-speaking) black Africa not as frameworks for the expression of political adversity, but rather as real moments of enmity, disorder and multifaceted conflicts. Indeed, the democratic processes initiated by most African States at the beginning of the 1990s did not allow the desired liberalization of the political field. They were confronted with the ruse of political leaders wishing to stay in power for a long time by developing strategies for circumventing real political pluralism, neutralizing and assimilating the opposition. The “passive democracy” that has finally been achieved is characterized by the continuation of monopolistic practices and habits in a context that is supposed to be politically liberal and plural. The resolution of the crisis which strewn the electoral processes in black Africa generally requires a strong implication of various actors and on various scales, in particular the religious actors. The part of the Protestant Church in the process of getting out of the electoral crisis is thus understood as the process of involving the Protestant clergy in the management of socio-political mores before, during and after electoral competitions. Undeniably, the function of the Protestant Church in French-speaking black Africa is not limited only to the mission of evangelization and prayers for peace in the nation, it extends to the management of these socio-political crises. This study is methodologically and theoretically based on documentary research and neo-institutionalism, taking into account the fact that the outcomes of electoral crises are above all political processes and action frameworks where institutional linkages mutually influence each other.

DAMPAK GEREJA RUMAH DAN PERTUMBUHAN IMAN TERHADAP MISI PENGINJILAN YANG DIMODERASI OLEH KEPEMIMPINAN

This study aims to reveal the impact of house churches and faith growth moderated by leadership in realizing evangelistic missions during the Covid-19 pandemic. This quantitative study uses the Structural Equation Model (SEM) method with Smart PLS software. The population comprises 72 respondents consisting of pastors, teachers, lecturers, evangelists, and business people from various denominations in various regions who worship at home by watching live streaming or building worship involving family members. The results of the research show: house church, faith growth and leadership together affect the evangelism mission by 52.6%, which means there are still 47.4% of other variables that can affect the evangelism mission. Leadership proved unable to strengthen the influence of house churches and faith growth in evangelistic missions during the Covid-19 epidemic. So church leaders need to build a house church practice concept that encourages faith growth that impacts evangelistic missions during the Covid-19 pandemic.