Synopsis: Lesslie Newbigin was one of the most significant missionary strategists and theologians of the twentieth century. With the breakdown of confidence in some of the central philosophical and theological paradigms that have been shaped and sustained by the culture of modernity, Newbigin's approach to a genuinely missionary theology offers fresh insights and approaches, providing something of a prophetic model for the global Christian community in new and challenging times. In this collection of essays, scholars and practitioners from around the world engage with aspects of Newbigin's continuing legacy. They explore Newbigin's approach to theological method, his theological and philosophical account of Western culture in the light of the gospel, and some of the implications of his thought for global mission in the third millennium. This collection is essential reading not just for Newbigin enthusiasts but also for all who are concerned to develop a genuinely missionary encounter with contemporary culture. Contributors: Ian Barns, John G. Flett, Michael W. Goheen, Kenneth D. Gordon, Eleanor Jackson, Veli-Matti Karkkainen, David J. Kettle, J. Andrew Kirk, Mark Laing, Murray Rae, Martin Reppenhagen, Jurgen Schuster, Wilbert Shenk, Jenny Taylor, Geoffrey Wainwright, Ng Kam Weng, and Paul Weston. Endorsements: "All who face the challenge of re-evangelization of the Western world draw inspiration from the work of Lesslie Newbigin. We stand on the shoulders of a giant. Newbigin's thinking provokes continual reengagement. I warmly recommend this insightful collection as a resource for the mission of the church today." --Graham Cray, Archbishops' Missioner and Leader, Fresh Expressions Initiative, UK "No figure is more significant in the emergence of the missional church movement than Lesslie Newbigin. In this outstanding collection of essays, his contributions to ecclesiology, mission, and theology are set forth and critically assessed by an outstanding group of scholars and practitioners. This is essential reading for all those interested in the missional turn and its implications for Christian faith, life, and witness in a pluralist and changing world." --John R. Franke, General Coordinator, The Gospel and Our Culture Network "We are only beginning to comprehend the breadth and depth of Lesslie Newbigin's missionary theology. This book presents an impressive array of compellingly written essays that help us begin to take the measure of his achievement. It is most welcome." --Scot Sherman, President, Newbigin House of Studies "For its journey in the perplexing and thrilling territory of the post-Christian twenty-first century, the church in the West and far beyond has no better traveling companion than Lesslie Newbigin. In this book, some of the world's most sensitive and incisive interpreters trace in almost kaleidoscopic fashion the way Newbigin's central concerns and convictions illumine a wide range of missional challenges. Here is a reliable marker signaling how and why Newbigin's influence continues to expand." --George R. Hunsberger, Professor of Missiology, Western Theological Seminary

Synopsis: Lesslie Newbigin (1909-1998) was one of the seminal theologians of mission in the twentieth century, and perhaps the most important in the English-speaking world. His thinking was anchored in the practice of mission: he was a missionary in India, a bishop of the Indian church, and a leader in emerging international mission structures. In his late years, he pioneered research on how the gospel could engage with Western culture. For many he is the founding father of the missional church movement. This book is the first to address the crucial role Newbigin played in shaping ecumenical thinking on mission during the twentieth century, filling an important gap in our knowledge of the development of twentieth-century missional theology. It does so by seeking to answer a central question in Newbigin's thinking: How does "mission" relate to "church"? Taking the integration of the International Missionary Council with the World Council of Churches as its central focus, this book provides a unique history of crucial events in the ecumenical movement. But more importantly, through a study of Newbigin's role in the theological debate, this book demonstrates how missional theology evolved during the postwar period when there was a "sea change" in understandings both of mission and church. Endorsements: "Mark Laing's work makes an important contribution to scholarship, not simply on Newbigin, but more broadly to understanding the development of both ecumenical and evangelical theologies of mission during the twentieth century." --Brian Stanley Professor of World Christianity, University of Edinburgh "Mark Laing's study on Newbigin's decisive role during the most creative, but also critical, period in the recent history of the WCC is a major contribution to a detailed knowledge of developments and debates that bear a lasting influence on present theologies, memories, structures, as well as conflicts . . . I consider this book a 'must' for theologians and leaders in mission and church. --Jacques Matthey Former Director of WCC Commission on World Mission and Evangelism "This is a book that goes to the heart of the relationship of church and mission among Protestant Christians. Newbigin has attracted much attention in recent years and will attract more, but there is, to my knowledge, no equivalent of this work currently available. It is much needed." --Andrew F. Walls Honorary Professor in the University of Edinburgh "This is a pioneering study of a neglected aspect of Newbigin's work. Dr. Mark Laing provides a balanced, reliable, and insightful evaluation of Newbigin's role and contribution." --Wilbert R. Shenk Senior Professor, Mission History and Contemporary Culture Fuller Graduate School of Intercultural Studies Author Biography: Mark T. B. Laing taught missiology at Union Biblical Seminary, Pune, India, for several years, where he also coordinated the Centre for Mission Studies. This book is a revised form of his PhD thesis, which he recently completed at the University of Edinburgh.