Mission

by Carlos F. Cardoza-Orlandi

Book Overview

"Mission" has become, for many North American Christians, an ambiguous and often uncomfortable term. To many it brings to mind a past in which western culture was identified with the gospel in missionary practice and programs. Distressed with this history and uncertain about how to overcome it, many prefer to ignore the New Testament mandate that the church must be in mission if it is to be the church. Others swing the other way, declaring that everything...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0687054729
• ISBN13: 9780687054725
• Release Date: June 2002
• Publisher: Abingdon Press
• Length: 112 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.2" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

I read it in Spanish first.

I disagree with a previous reviewer, who did not get the "point," that it used to be that mission was all about the learned (saved) ones going out to make the unlearned (unsaved) just like them. Unfortunately, this often had less to do with sharing the gospel and the saving power of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, but with making those poor heathens "just like us," with our (read European and thus superior) culture. Orlandi discusses these outdated and ethno-centric models for mission and suggests alternatives, touching on the fact that when we share our faith we are not imparting truth to others, thus objectifying them. We, in fact, open ourselves up to new possibilities and experiences with God in communion with others who are not like us. Our goal is not to make others like us, but to share together as a community in the kingdom of God. "For the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth." (John 4:23) Jesus said this to the woman at the well, who was preoccupied with the "proper" way and place to worship God. I ordered the book in English so I could share it with my English speaking friends.