Eternal Word and Changing Worlds: Theology, Anthropology, and Mission in Trialogue

by Harvie M. Conn

In this book, addressed to the "Western, white evangelical community," Professor Conn drives home the need for a radical reevaluation of our Western models for theology and missions. The rise of non-Western and nonwhite theologies and the changes in our understanding of language, culture, and religions force upon us the realization of the inadequacy of our ethnocentric, abstracting approach to theology and missions.

Genres: Theology, Cultural, Anthropology

372 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Matthew Weston · Rating 4 out of 5]

A foundational book for missiology and contextualisation discussions. Took me a while to finish, and there was much that I’d need to do a lot of further reading to get my head round - mainly because of the three disciplines he is engaging with (anthropology, missiology and theology) I have hardly any experience with the former, and only more recent experience in missiology. It is both of its time (1984, so obviously doesn’t engage with later Hiebert, Hesselgrave, Bosch, Tienou etc.) and sadly up to date - the same unnecessary concerns around global theologising and contextualisation which Conn critiques are still there in evangelicalism.

For those like me with less of an anthropological background, perhaps read Hiebert’s “Anthropological reflections on missiological issues” and just skim the first sections of this.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I think Harvie was on the right track in helping reformed Christians use their language and concepts to discern paths towards more faithfulness. But ultimately, I feel he never took the bold step to leave behind reformed categories and allow Jesus to reform them more fully.

Anyways, this work remains relevant today for the reformed church!

[Rayhanul Abdin · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was quite interesting.I like it also I enjoyed that.