Graceful Evangelism: Christian Witness in a Complex World

by Frances S. Adeney

Overview

The word evangelism evokes strong reactions among Christians. Conflict about what it is, whether to do it, how to go about it, and the desired results divides churches, demonstrating the need for new theologies and methods that address today's religiously pluralistic and secular contexts. This book offers a comprehensive treatment of evangelism, from biblical models to contemporary practice. Frances Adeney shows that understanding different contexts and approaches to evangelism and accepting the views of others on this crucial topic can help replace the "evangelism wars" (social action vs. proclamation) with a more graceful approach to sharing God's good news with the world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801031854
Publisher:	Baker Publishing Group
Publication date:	12/01/2010
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Frances S. Adeney (PhD, Graduate Theological Union) is William A. Benfield Jr. Professor of Evangelism and Global Mission Emerita at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. She has authored and contributed to many books, including Christianity Encountering World Religions, Christianity and Human Rights, and Christian Women in Indonesia: A Narrative Study of Gender and Religion.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction: What This Book Is About xi

Part 1 Where Did We Come From"

1 What Is Evangelism" Perspectives and Problems 1

2 What Does the Bible Say" Biblical Models of Evangelism 14

3 Patterns of Evangelism through the Ages 27

4 The Western Missionary Movement in the Nineteenth Century: An American Perspective 41

Part 2 Where Are We Now"

5 The Situation for Evangelism in the Twenty-first Century: Two Sides of a Coin 55

6 Today's Mission Trends 67

7 Contemporary Theologies of Evangelism 78

Part 3 Where Are We Going"

8 Abundant Life 99

9 A Mission Statement for Evangelism 108

10 Changing Context: Transforming Mission 118

Part 4 Can We Craft a Graceful Evangelism"

11 Insights from Contemporary Theologies of Evangelism 129

12 Challenges to Crafting a Graceful Evangelism 140

13 Changes: New Movements and Institutional Re-visionings 152

14 Seeing through Their Eyes: A Spiral of Knowledge Acquisition 161

15 Radical Habits: Practices for Evangelism Today 174

Appendix: Constructing a Congregational Timeline 187

Bibliography 191

Index 201