One of the most talked about topics in missions is the issue of globalization. Globalization has opened up doors for all peoples, nations, and countries around the world. The Internet has been one huge contributor in this, as well as the cell phone. In fact, the cell phone has been able to connect others in developing countries that are living in rural settings to be able to do business with those in the urban setting. It seems like one can connect with anyone with one click of a mouse button or one text from a cell phone. The question that arises among those in missions, is how does one appropriate the good news in a world of globalization?

To some it may seem easy to share, present the gospel to others globally because we are all some how in this web of connections connected to each other. I would agree that globalization has helped in some ways for Jesus-followers to connect with others globally, but is the message we share understandable in the context they come from.

I want to leave these questions out there for you to respond too, before I give you my thoughts on this topic.

Currently reading The Next Christendom:The Coming of Global Christianity by Philip Jenkins

Posted by Ben at 7:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Happy New Year!

I do not know what you think about New Year resolutions, but I do not care so much for them. It is not because I cannot follow through with the resolutions I make because majority of the time will do what I set out to do. I love goals and I love to accomplish the goals I set, however, I like the flexibility of the goals that I set. For instance, last year in the mist of working three jobs and going to school full time, one of my goals was to complete my first marathon (for those who do not no how long a marathon is it is 26.2 miles). I was able to run not just one marathon, but two marathons (actually, I ran one ultra-marathon as well; I will probably share with you more about ultra-marathons later). Again, there was a flexibility of the goal I made.

Now what does this have to do with Fuller and the School of Intercultural Studies (SIS) of which I am a part of. Well, as a student, missionary, and missiologist, one thing you learn out in the field and even in ministry is to be flexible. I think for some, flexibility is a gift, because it is not an easy thing to do. In addition, flexibility is not a synonym for laziness, therefore, if some schedule or goal does not happen that does not mean you put it off completely; you adjust your schedule or goal and continue accordingly. Therefore, this blog posting will not necessarily be structured, but be flexible. There will be talks on theology, missions, globalization, social justice, children at risk, and more. We may travel along on a path only to come back to the topic or topics at hand. I will call this a spiraling effect. It is a postmodern thing or what I like to say a "POMO" thing.

I hope that we will have fun in discussions and interaction together. Some may agree with what I will say and some will not agree. As one professor here at Fuller says, "Let's agree that it is ok to disagree in the love of Christ." That pretty much is my guideline to all of this (I do not like rules, but guidelines). So enjoy the blogs.

Feel free to post a comment, questions, and possible suggestions you might want to know from a student who looks through a lens of different cultures to appropriate the gospel to them.

For those of you who have looked at and or read Sam's blog, I would encourage you to read Pete Rollins book called How (not) to Speak of God. It is a great book on the postmodern realm of one aspect of the emerging church.

Posted by Ben at 11:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)