Book Description

Christian mission takes place in a world with increasing interreligious tensions, including violence and persecution. Politics, economics, religion, ethnicity and other factors play a role in these tensions. Christians too are involved in such conflicts, sometimes as those who are persecuted and sometimes as those participating in violence. 'Freedom of religion and belief' is a core value in the UN Human Rights Declaration. At the same time it is a core biblical value. Obstacles to and attacks on freedom of belief are therefore a central concern for witnessing to Christ. The purpose of this volume on Freedom of Belief and Christian Mission is to bring to public attention a broad overview on the history, development and perspectives on the role of mission and freedom of belief and to reflect on these issues within a context of authentic witness in mission. Timely, enlightening and encouraging. This volume comes at a time when the Churches are faced with new challenges to religious freedom. Their response however needs to be grounded in an objective study of what is at stake, as well as of why and where these difficulties are arising. The present collection of essays offers a very useful reflection on the entire question. And it does so in a way that invites Christians to courageous witness to the Gospel with respect for the dignity and freedom of all. Bishop Brian Farrell, Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Vatican City Some of the best minds in the church, including some outstanding grassroots workers, have joined to present not only the challenges facing the church on the religious freedom issue but also guidelines to how respond wisely to it. The challenges are complex and call for serious thought. This book will serve the church well by pointing to informed, wise and bold responses. Ajith Fernando, Teaching Director, Youth for Christ, Sri Lanka Without reservation I commend this vital resource to global reflective practitioners engaged in missional issues of religious freedom of belief and persecution. It reflects depth (from foundational chapters to thoughtful case studies to missiological responses), breadth (writers reflecting the worldwide orthodox Christian community church) and relevance to both Global South (the obvious), but also the Global North (where the attacks come from militant secularism and politics, the courts and education, popular culture and media). This seminal work equips us all for the future. William D. Taylor, Senior Mentor of Mission Commission, World Evangelical Alliance and lead editor of Sorrow and Blood: Christian Mission in Contexts of Suffering, Persecution and Martyrdom, 2012 Tormod Engelsviken is Professor Emeritus at MF Norwegian School of Theology Hans Aage Gravaas is Secretary General of Stefanus Alliance International, Oslo. Knud Jorgensen is Adjunct Professor at the MF Norwegian School of Theology. Maqsood Kamil is Professor of Theology and Vice Principal at the Gujranwala Theological Seminary, Pakistan.