1
The Process of Theologizing in Mission
by
Charles Van Engen
and in part by Shawn Redford.
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The Four
Domains
Each domain is a sphere of knowledge, influence,
activity and relationships.
WORD
CHURCH
WORLD
PILGRIMAGE
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The BibleOld TestamentNew Testament
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1. The Bible: The Process of Theologizing in Mission is primarily based upon the Bible. The Bible tells of the in-breaking of God throughout human history. The Bible informs us about the mission of God (the Missio Dei) and provides the missiological examples to follow in Jesus Christ for mission.
I: The Four Domains
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2. The Church’s Reflection: The reflection of the church has impacted the lenses (or hermeneutical approaches) that have been used to understand the Bible and mission through history. Systematic Theology is an example of a lens used in the West to understand scripture and mission.
The BibleOld TestamentNew Testament
1
2
The Church’s Reflection
:Historical and
Systematic Theology
I: The Four Domains
5
2
The Church’s Reflection
:Historical and
Systematic Theology
3. Personal Experience: Those who approach the Bible and examine the story of God’s mission bring their own set of cultural and personal strengths, weaknesses, and pilgrimage. These affect the way in which scripture and mission is understood and perceived. The Bible, the church, the context, and God’s mission are all understood through personal (ethnohermeneutical) lenses.
The BibleOld TestamentNew Testament
1
Personal Experience:Cultural Background, Personal
Pilgrimage, Spirituality
3
I: The Four Domains
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2
The Church’s Reflection
:Historical and
Systematic Theology
4. The Context: In each unique context, mission takes place and shapes the understanding of mission and the process of theologizing in mission. The manifestation of mission and the theologizing process in mission for that context need to be contextually appropriate.
The BibleOld TestamentNew Testament
1
Personal Experience:Cultural Background, Personal
Pilgrimage, Spirituality
3
4
TheContext:The Context
of the Church’sMission inthe World
I: The Four Domains
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Levels ofIntegration
and Continuitybetween Domains
Integrating Ideas
8
2
The Church’s Reflection
:Historical and
Systematic Theology
• Each circle represents a domain of missiology that provides a unique contribution for mission. The overlap of one circle with another represents a level of integration and continuity between those two domains.
• Each domain is a sphere of knowledge, influence, activity and relationships.
The BibleOld TestamentNew Testament
1
Personal Experience:Cultural Background, Personal
Pilgrimage, Spirituality
3
4
TheContext:The Context
of the Church’sMission inthe World
II. Working with Integrating Ideas
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• Likewise the overlap of multiple circles represents a level of integration and continuity in multiple domains.
2
The Church’s Reflection
:Historical and
Systematic Theology
The BibleOld TestamentNew Testament
1
Personal Experience:Cultural Background, Personal
Pilgrimage, Spirituality
3
4
TheContext:The Context
of the Church’sMission inthe World
II. Working with Integrating Ideas
10
2
The Church’s Reflection
:Historical and
Systematic Theology
• Jesus Christ must be at the center of all the domains of missiology, because the church’s mission is the mission of Jesus Christ (the Missio Cristi).
The BibleOld TestamentNew Testament
1
Personal Experience:Cultural Background, Personal
Pilgrimage, Spirituality
3
4
TheContext:The Context
of the Church’sMission inthe World
II. Working with Integrating Ideas
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5. The Integrating Idea: This is the place where all four domains of mission (Bible, Church, Person, and Context) interact and influence each other. The integrating idea contains the central themes, paradigms, perceptions, and thinking patterns that are common to all four domains.
II. Working with Integrating Ideas
2
The Church’s Reflection
:Historical and
Systematic Theology
4
TheContext:The Context
of the Church’sMission inthe World
The BibleOld TestamentNew Testament
1
Personal Experience:Cultural Background, Personal
Pilgrimage, Spirituality
3
5
Integrating Idea
5
12
5. The Integrating Idea: This is the place where all four domains of mission (Bible, Church, Person, and Context) interact and influence each other. The integrating idea contains the central themes, paradigms, perceptions, and thinking patterns that are common to all four domains.
II. Working with Integrating Ideas
2
The Church’s Reflection
:Historical and
Systematic Theology
4
TheContext:The Context
of the Church’sMission inthe World
The BibleOld TestamentNew Testament
1
Personal Experience:Cultural Background, Personal
Pilgrimage, Spirituality
3
5
“That women and men become disciples of Jesus Christ and responsible members of Christ’s Church.” – Donald McGavran
5
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Theory Action
The history,
the heart,
the action,
and the praxis
of mission.
from
to
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6. The Holy Spirit and Prayer: From Pentecost forward, mission is the action of the Holy Spirit through the agency of the church. The water in the channel represents the place where all the theory and action of mission are saturated in the guidance of the Holy Spirit and prayer.
III. The Holy Spirit and Prayer
2
The Church’s
Reflection:Historical and
Systematic Theology
4
TheContext:
The Contextof the Church’s
Mission inthe World
The BibleOld TestamentNew Testament
1
Personal Experience:Cultural Background, Personal
Pilgrimage, Spirituality
3
5
Integrating Idea
5
6
Holy Spiritand
PrayerHoly Spiritand
Prayer
Holy Spiritand
PrayerHoly Spiritand
Prayer
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7. The History of Mission Action: Everywhere you go, there exists a history of the church’s interaction with that context. There are both direct and indirect historical factors. The History of Mission Action has often been ignored in missiology. However, this is first area to work through, because throughout history people have tended to first go and do mission, and then they have realized that theyneed to theorize about their actions.
III. The History
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The Church’s
Reflection:Historical and
Systematic Theology
4
TheContext:
The Contextof the Church’s
Mission inthe World
The BibleOld TestamentNew Testament
1
Personal Experience:Cultural Background, Personal
Pilgrimage, Spirituality
3
5
History of Mission Action 7
Integrating Idea
5
6
Holy Spiritand
Prayer
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8. The History of Mission Theory: There is also a mission theory associated with the action, and it is this history of theory that will help guide us. The particular theological traditions (Ecumenical, Evangelical, Pentecostal/Charismatic, Orthodox, Roman Catholic) have influenced the theoretical framework that has informed mission action.
III. The History
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The Church’s
Reflection:Historical and
Systematic Theology
4
TheContext:
The Contextof the Church’s
Mission inthe World
The BibleOld TestamentNew Testament
1
Personal Experience:Cultural Background, Personal
Pilgrimage, Spirituality
3
5
History of Mission Action 7
History ofMissionTheory
• Ecumenical• Evangelical• Orthodox • Pentecostal/
Charismatic• Roman
Catholic8
Integrating Idea
5
6
Holy Spiritand
Prayer
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9. The Heart of Mission Theology (The Grid): This is the point where we move from the past to the future. This is the critical integrative step. It begins to bring all of the thinking done so far into organization. It transforms and focuses our missiological reflection into issues of the mission practice. This is the move from description to prescription. The vertical aspects of God’s mission (Missio Dei, etc.) interface with the horizontal categories of human mission action (Motivation, Means, Agents, Goals, etc.) in a complex interweaving of divine and human interaction. Each square of the grid constitutes a specific missiological question with a particular emphasis.
IV. The Heart
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The Church’s
Reflection:Historical and
Systematic Theology
4
TheContext:
The Contextof the Church’s
Mission inthe World
The BibleOld TestamentNew Testament
1
Personal Experience:Cultural Background, Personal
Pilgrimage, Spirituality
3
5
ContextAgents
MotivesMessage
MeansGoals
UtopiaResultsPartnershipCommunity
PresenceM
issi
o D
eiM
issi
o H
omin
umM
issi
ones
Ecc
lesi
arum
Mis
sio
Polit
ica
Oec
umen
ica
Mis
sio
Futu
roru
m/A
dven
tus
The Heart of Mission Theology 9
History of Mission Action 7
History ofMissionTheory
• Ecumenical• Evangelical• Orthodox • Pentecostal/
Charismatic• Roman
Catholic8
Four Domains- Present Time
PastFuture
Integrating Idea
5
6
Holy Spiritand
Prayer
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10. Preparation for Action. Based on the integration offered by the grid, the missiologist begins to inquire regarding the inter-relation of church and context in a specific time and place. In this new ‘here and now’ there are specific issues of the church’s missional dimension and missional intention vis-à-vis the context. For example: How is the church already engaged in mission in it’s context? What resources does the church have to carry out mission?
V. The Action
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The Church’s
Reflection:Historical and
Systematic Theology
4
TheContext:
The Contextof the Church’s
Mission inthe World
The BibleOld TestamentNew Testament
1
Personal Experience:Cultural Background, Personal
Pilgrimage, Spirituality
3
5
ContextAgents
MotivesMessage
MeansGoals
UtopiaResultsPartnershipCommunity
PresenceM
issi
o D
eiM
issi
o H
omin
umM
issi
ones
Ecc
lesi
arum
Mis
sio
Polit
ica
Oec
umen
ica
Mis
sio
Futu
roru
m/A
dven
tus
The Heart of Mission Theology 9
History of Mission Action 7
History ofMissionTheory
• Ecumenical• Evangelical• Orthodox • Pentecostal/
Charismatic• Roman
Catholic8
Preparation for ActionMissional Intention/Dimension• Tasks• Action• Praxis 10
• Results• Trans-
formation
Four Domains- Present Time
PastPresent
Integrating Idea
5
6
Holy Spiritand
Prayer
Futu
re
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11. The Missional Action: This is the action itself. The action should be consistent with the foregoing theory (developed in areas 7-10). A modified version of a Hiebert centered-set diagram is shown that depicts the church moving towards Christ and at the same time carrying out mission in the church’s context (represent by the arrow behind the churches). The one cannot exist without the other. The churches moving away from Christ are not involved in mission.
V. The Action
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The Church’s
Reflection:Historical and
Systematic Theology
4
TheContext:
The Contextof the Church’s
Mission inthe World
The BibleOld TestamentNew Testament
1
Personal Experience:Cultural Background, Personal
Pilgrimage, Spirituality
3
5
ContextAgents
MotivesMessage
MeansGoals
UtopiaResultsPartnershipCommunity
PresenceM
issi
o D
eiM
issi
o H
omin
umM
issi
ones
Ecc
lesi
arum
Mis
sio
Polit
ica
Oec
umen
ica
Mis
sio
Futu
roru
m/A
dven
tus
The Heart of Mission Theology 9
History of Mission Action 7
History ofMissionTheory
• Ecumenical• Evangelical• Orthodox • Pentecostal/
Charismatic• Roman
Catholic8
Preparation for ActionMissional Intention/Dimension• Tasks• Action• Praxis 10
• Results• Trans-
formation
Four Domains- Present Time
PastPresent
MissionalAction
In the worldfor whom
Christ died!11
Integrating Idea
5
6
Holy Spiritand
Prayer
Futu
re
20
12. Reflection on the Action: Reflection, re-examination, re-thinking, and re-conceptualizing are needed at this point. Reflection should take place addressing the consistency between the action taken and the initial conceptualization found in the integrating idea. Where there are anomalies, inconsistencies, and contradictions between the understanding of the integrating idea and the action taken, we must look more carefully. The place of the anomalies is the place where the reconceptualization begins all over again. This creates a process of action and reflection which is molded through time.
VI. Praxis
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The Church’s
Reflection:Historical and
Systematic Theology
4
TheContext:
The Contextof the Church’s
Mission inthe World
The BibleOld TestamentNew Testament
1
Personal Experience:Cultural Background, Personal
Pilgrimage, Spirituality
3
5
ContextAgents
MotivesMessage
MeansGoals
UtopiaResultsPartnershipCommunity
PresenceM
issi
o D
eiM
issi
o H
omin
umM
issi
ones
Ecc
lesi
arum
Mis
sio
Polit
ica
Oec
umen
ica
Mis
sio
Futu
roru
m/A
dven
tus
The Heart of Mission Theology 9
History of Mission Action 7
History ofMissionTheory
• Ecumenical• Evangelical• Orthodox • Pentecostal/
Charismatic• Roman
Catholic8
Preparation for ActionMissional Intention/Dimension• Tasks• Action• Praxis 10
• Results• Trans-
formation
Four Domains- Present Time
PastFuture
MissionalAction
In the worldfor whom
Christ died!11
Reflection on the ActionFeedback Loop - Missional Praxis 12
Integrating Idea
5
6
Holy Spiritand
Prayer
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Seen in its entirety, the Integrating Idea flows through a process (channel) that transforms it from theory into action. In this process, it is evaluated, examined, enhanced, energized, enacted, and finally reintegrated with the four original domains so that reconceptualization can take place leading towards a refinement of mission. Over time, therefore, this becomes an iterative process that is constantly making adjustments in mission theory and practice.
The Process of Theologizing in Mission
2
The Church’s
Reflection:Historical and
Systematic Theology
4
TheContext:
The Contextof the Church’s
Mission inthe World
The BibleOld TestamentNew Testament
1
Personal Experience:Cultural Background, Personal
Pilgrimage, Spirituality
3
5
ContextAgents
MotivesMessage
MeansGoals
UtopiaResultsPartnershipCommunity
PresenceM
issi
o D
eiM
issi
o H
omin
umM
issi
ones
Ecc
lesi
arum
Mis
sio
Polit
ica
Oec
umen
ica
Mis
sio
Futu
roru
m/A
dven
tus
The Heart of Mission Theology 9
History of Mission Action 7
History ofMissionTheory
• Ecumenical• Evangelical• Orthodox • Pentecostal/
Charismatic• Roman
Catholic8
Preparation for ActionMissional Intention/Dimension• Tasks• Action• Praxis 10
• Results• Trans-
formation
Four Domains- Present Time
PastFuture
MissionalAction
In the worldfor whom
Christ died!11
Reflection on the ActionFeedback Loop - Missional Praxis 12
Integrating Idea
5
6
Holy Spiritand
Prayer
22
The BibleOld TestamentNew Testament
1
2
The Church’s
Reflection:Historical and
Systematic Theology
Personal Experience:Cultural Background, Personal
Pilgrimage, Spirituality
3
4
TheContext:The Context
of the Church’sMission inthe World
The Dynamic Process!
The Process of Theologizing in Mission
ContextAgents
MotivesMessage
MeansGoals
UtopiaResultsPartnershipCommunity
PresenceM
issi
o D
eiM
issi
o H
omin
umM
issi
ones
Ecc
lesi
arum
Mis
sio
Polit
ica
Oec
umen
ica
Mis
sio
Futu
roru
m/A
dven
tus
The Heart of Mission Theology 9
History of Mission Action 7
History ofMissionTheory
• Ecumenical• Evangelical• Orthodox • Pentecostal/
Charismatic• Roman
Catholic8
Preparation for ActionMissional Intention/Dimension• Tasks• Action• Praxis 10
• Results• Trans-
formation
Four Domains- Present Time
PastPreseent
MissionalAction
In the worldfor whom
Christ died!11
Integrating Idea
5
6
Holy Spiritand
Prayer
Reflection on the ActionFeedback Loop - Missional Praxis 12
Futu
re
23
The End ...
… but not really
because this
never really ends!
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THE FOUR ARENAS OF MISSIOLOGY Chuck Van Engen
THE BIBLE
Missiology is one integrated discipline.
PERSONAL SPIRITUALEXPERIENCE,PERSONAL PILGRIMAGE, SPIRITUALITY
THE CONTEXT OF THE CHURCH’SMISSIONIN THE WORLD
THECHURCH’SREFLECTION : HISTORICALANDSYSTEMATICTHEOLOGY
Missiology is centered in Jesus Christ.
JESUS CHRIST
Integrating Idea
At any particular time, space and context, a specific “integrating idea” emerges to hold together, synthesize and direct the multi-disciplinary unity of missiological action.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whosever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life.” -- Jn. 3:16
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The Hermeneutical Spiral
Explanation:
Time
Dee
peni
ng
Identificationwith poor
question “Aid”and
“Development”
Preferentialoption forthe poor
Solidaritywith
oppressed
Voice of the poor =
voice of God
MarxistCategories
Socio-economic analysis
Conflict and dependency
theories
Hermeneuticsof suspicion -Structural ...
The poor as - active
subjectscreating history
Humanization, Salvation,
Christology, Ecclesiology,
Gospel, Spirituality
“Divine” SurfaceDiscovernew faith
dimensions
Wisdom
Below Surface
The Deep
Dee
peni
ngPr
axis
Con
verg
ing
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The Hermeneutical Spiral
Explanation:
Deepening
PraxisConverging
Deep
Surface
Theology from Above
Theologyfrom
Below
Identificationwith poor
question “Aid”and “Development”
Discovernew faith
dimensions
Preferentialoption
for the poor
Solidaritywith
oppressed
Voice of the poor =
voice of God
MarxistCategories
Socio-economic analysis
Conflict and dependency theories
Hermeneuticsof suspicion -Structural ...
The poor usactive subjectscreating history
Humanization, Salvation,Christology, Ecclesiology,
Gospel, Spirituality
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The Hermeneutical Spiral
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Foundational Categories of Mission Theory
Aspects of Missional Action
Missio Dei The Mission of God
Missio HominumGod’s Missional Use of Human Instruments
MissionesEcclesiarumGod’s ManyMissions Through the People of God
Missio PoliticaOecumenicaGod’s Missional Action in Global Civilization
MissioChristiGod’s Messianic Mission Through Jesus Christ
Missio Futurum/ AdventusGod’s Kingdom Mission in Future and through Advent
The Holy Spirit in Mission
The Context of Mission
The Agents of Mission
The Motives of Mission
The Means of Mission
The Methods of Mission
The Goals of Mission
The Results of Mission
Hope/Utopia of Mission
Prayer in Mission
Spiritual Power in Mission
Presence, Proclamation
Structures for Mission
Partnerships in Mission
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The BibleOld TestamentNew Testament
1
The Major StepsStep 1. Working with Four Domains (Circles) [Realms, Arenas]Step 2. Working with Integrating IdeasStep 3. Taking integrating idea and applying it to a particular situationStep 4. Parts 8, 9, 10
Changes to Older Naming System5. History of Mission
Historical Interaction by the Church in that Context.Who did what when where?
6. History of the Theory of Mission: Contemporary Theologies of Mission
7. Rethinking the Theory: Contextual Theology of Mission
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The BibleOld TestamentNew Testament
1
2
The Church’s Reflection
:Historical and
Systematic Theology
31
2
The Church’s Reflection
:Historical and
Systematic Theology
The BibleOld TestamentNew Testament
1
3
TheContext:The Context
of the Church’sMission inthe World
32
2
The Church’s Reflection
:Historical and
Systematic Theology
3
TheContext:The Context
of the Church’sMission inthe World
The BibleOld TestamentNew Testament
1
Personal Experience:Cultural Background, Personal
Pilgrimage, Spirituality
4
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2
The Church’s Reflection
:Historical and
Systematic Theology
3
TheContext:The Context
of the Church’sMission inthe World
Personal Experience:Cultural Background, Personal
Pilgrimage, Spirituality
4
The BibleOld TestamentNew Testament
1
Slides 1-4 include all four circles and build step by step. The next four slides (5-8) add the circles as well in each step. I just drew them both ways to see what you liked. I am guessing that you would add comments here for the audience during the presentation.
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3
TheContext:The Context
of the Church’sMission inthe World
Personal Experience:Cultural Background, Personal
Pilgrimage, Spirituality
4
Explanation:
The BibleOld TestamentNew Testament
1
2
The Church’s Reflection
:Historical and
Systematic Theology
35
2
The Church’s Reflection
:Historical and
Systematic Theology
4
TheContext:The Context
of the Church’sMission inthe World
Explanation:
The BibleOld TestamentNew Testament
1
Personal Experience:Cultural Background, Personal
Pilgrimage, Spirituality
3
36
2
The Church’s Reflection
:Historical and
Systematic Theology
Explanation:
The BibleOld TestamentNew Testament
1
Personal Experience:Cultural Background, Personal
Pilgrimage, Spirituality
3
4
TheContext:The Context
of the Church’sMission inthe World
37
This one is like we used to have except it now has the fourth circle.
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Contextual Theology of MissionContext of MissionAgents of MissionMotives of MissionMessage of MissionMeans of MissionGoals of MissionUtopia of Mission
Results of MissionPartnership of MissionCommunity of Mission
Presence of Mission
History of Mission
of Mission:Roman Catholic, Orthodox,Evangelical, Ecumenical,Pentacostal/Charasmatic O.T.
N.T.
Biblical Theology
HistoricalTheology
ContemporaryGlobal Theology
SpecificLocalContextualTheology
1
23
5
4
6
7
ContextsBroad ContinentalContext
Contexts
Reflection on the ActionFeedback Loop -- Missional Praxis
10
Contexts
Specific
Local
Contexts
Contemporary Theologies
Contexts
8Missional Intension
Tasks, Action, Praxis,Results, Transformation.
Dimension
IntegratingIdea
(TheologicalCenter)
Missional ActionIn the world for whom Christ died!
9