This title offers a constructive appraisal of the relationship between secular development and Christian mission, demonstrating the opportunities and problems associated with the work of faith-based organisations. This book considers the implications, consequences, opportunities and constraints faced when mission and development endeavours coincide. This is explored from various perspectives, including that of history, theology and those involved in mission work and missionary organizations. Despite eighty percent of the world's population professing religious belief, religion has been largely excluded from consideration of those seeking to aid development in poorer countries. Moreover, the work of missionaries has often involved the provision of basic welfare services that in many parts of the world predate the interventions undertaken by 'professional' secular aid workers. Are missionaries doing development work or is development a critical aspect of mission?

This well-researched and thorough work presents Chinese Christianity in a way that will lead Christians and others to better understand their faith and China. "The Love of God in China "examines various aspects related to Christianity in this socialist country, including: the status of Chinese Christian churches the policy of Chinese government for state control of religion the attitudes of Chinese people towards Christianity theological perspectives in China the Chinese perception of religious principles successful efforts to cultivate Chinese Christianity

Author John Peale objectively presents the competing and conflicting positions of the diverse Chinese Christian groups. As he identifies the challenges faced by Christian individuals and churches in China, he not only suggests resolutions, but also proposes what Western Christians could learn from their Chinese family in the faith. Peale explores the ways Christianity can be submerged into Chinese culture.

While much work has been done to apply anthropological insights to the study of missions, the sociological perspective has been generally neglected by missiologists. This volume defines the sociology of missions as a discrete subdiscipline within the sociology of religion and provides a working set of conceptual resources for those involved in mission work to use in furthering their understanding of their task. The author reviews the major areas of sociology that are most relevant to missions and presents his findings as a basis for discussion and a stimulus to further exploration of relevant sociological concepts and theories. One of his main goals is to increase dialogue between missiologists and sociologists of religion, by providing the former with a sociological perspective and the latter with a deeper understanding of the missionary enterprise.

There has not been conducted much research in religious studies and (linguistic) anthropology analysing Protestant missionary linguistic translations. Contemporary Protestant missionary linguists employ grammars, dictionaries, literacy campaigns, and translations of the Bible (in particular the New Testament) in order to convert local cultures. The North American institutions SIL and Wycliffe Bible Translators (WBT) are one of the greatest scientific-evangelical missionary enterprises in the world. The ultimate objective is to translate the Bible to every language. The author has undertaken systematic research, employing comparative linguistic methodology and field interviews, for a history-of-ideas/religions and epistemologies explication of translated SIL missionary linguistic New Testaments and its premeditated impact upon religions, languages, sociopolitical institutions, and cultures. In addition to taking into account the history of missionary linguistics in America and theological principles of SIL/WBT, the author has examined the intended cultural transformative effects of Bible translations upon cognitive and linguistic systems. A theoretical analytic model of conversion and translation has been put forward for comparative research of religion, ideology, and knowledge systems.

Born into a sharecropping family in New Hebron, Mississippi, in 1930, and only receiving a third-grade education, John M. Perkins has been a pioneering prophetic African American voice for reconciliation and social justice to America's white evangelical churches. Often an unwelcome voice and always a passionate, provocative clarion, Perkins persisted for forty years in bringing about the formation of the Christian Community Development Association--a large network of evangelical churches and community organizations working in America's poorest communities--and inspired the emerging generation of young evangelicals concerned with releasing the Church from its cultural captivity and oppressive materialism.

John M. Perkins has received surprisingly little attention from historians of modern American religious history and theologians. "Mobilizing for the Common Good" is an exploration of the theological significance of John M. Perkins. With contributions from theologians, historians, and activists, this book contends that Perkins ushered in a paradigm shift in twentieth-century evangelical theology that continues to influence Christian community development projects and social justice activists today.

"This is a solid introductory text that will help thoughtful students understand the major world religions and the currents of secular atheism. It is broad in scope, concise in expression and practical for learning and reference. A fine tool for learning." Charlie Self, Ph.D. Director of the Bible and Theology Ph. D. Program. Associate Professor of Church History, Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. "I have known Ron since the fall of 2004, when we hired him and he started teaching sections of World Religions...which focused on comparing and contrasting Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, and Taoism...Through the years his students (and the Department Chairs) have consistently given him excellent evaluations. For all of these reasons I highly recommend Dr. Woodworth..." David J. Yount, Ph.D. Former Mesa Community College Professor of Philosophy and Chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies. For the introductory student of world religions World Religions & Atheism: A Christian Perspective will serve as a helpful primer to the subject that will provide a framework for assessing the truth claims of any religion. It unapologetically presents Christianity as a religion whose truth claims deserve a fair and honest study, especially over against the absolutist secular claims of Atheism. James D. Hernando, Ph. D., Professor of New Testament, AGTS. Member of the Evangelical Theological Society and the Society of Biblical Literature.

This book examines unintended participatory cultures and media surrounding the American televangelists Robert Tilton and Tammy Faye Bakker-Messner. It brings to light heavily ironic fan followings; print, audio, and video projects; public access television parodies; and other comedic participatory practices associated with these controversial preachers from the 1980s onwards. For Tilton's ministry, some of these activities and artifacts would prove irksome and even threatening, particularly an analog video remix turned online viral sensation. In contrast, Bakker-Messner's "campy" fans - gay men attracted to her "ludicrous tragedy" - would provide her unexpected opportunities for career rehabilitation. Denis J. Bekkering challenges "supply-side" religious economy and branding approaches, suggestions of novelty in religion and "new" media studies, and the emphasis on sincere devotion in research on religion and fandom. He also highlights how everyday individuals have long participated in public negotiations of Christian authenticity through tongue-in-cheek play with purported religious "fakes."