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Whole and Reconciled: Gospel, Church, and Mission in a Fractured World
Outreach 2019 Resource of the Year (Cross-Cultural/Missional)
The ministry of reconciliation is the new whole in holistic ministry. It must be if the Christian mission is to remain relevant in our increasingly fractured world. This book offers a fresh treatment of holistic ministry that takes the role of reconciliation seriously, rethinking the meaning of the gospel, the nature of the church, and the practice of mission in light of globalization, post-Christendom, and postcolonialism. It also includes theological and practical resources for effectively engaging in evangelism, compassion and justice, and reconciliation ministries. Includes a foreword by Ruth Padilla DeBorst and an afterword by Ronald J. Sider.
The ministry of reconciliation is the new whole in holistic ministry. It must be if the Christian mission is to remain relevant in our increasingly fractured world. This book offers a fresh treatment of holistic ministry that takes the role of reconciliation seriously, rethinking the meaning of the gospel, the nature of the church, and the practice of mission in light of globalization, post-Christendom, and postcolonialism. It also includes theological and practical resources for effectively engaging in evangelism, compassion and justice, and reconciliation ministries. Includes a foreword by Ruth Padilla DeBorst and an afterword by Ronald J. Sider.
254 pages, Paperback
First published October 16, 2018
24 people are currently reading
460 people want to read
About the author
Al Tizon
9 books3 followersAl Tizon is the former Executive Minister of Serve Globally, the international ministries arm of the Evangelical Covenant Church in Chicago, IL. He continues in a faculty appointment with Serve Globally as Affiliate Associate Professor of Missional and Global Leadership at North Park Theological Seminary also in Chicago. An ordained minister of the Evangelical Covenant Church, he has engaged in community development, church leadership, advocacy, and urban ministry both in the Philippines and the United States. He earned a PhD in Missiology (Interdisciplinay Studies) from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 9, 2020
One of the central debates among evangelical missiologists in the past century concerned the relationship between evangelism and social concern. In the mid- to late-twentieth century, many evangelical missiologists prioritized the former to the later, primarily in the West. In the last quarter of that century, however, prioritism gave ground to holism, especially among the Rest, who viewed evangelism and social concern as equally indispensable aspects of the Church’s mission.
In Whole and Reconciled, Al Tizon outlines a holistic missiology. Rather than rehearse the arguments for holism, however, he assumes their conclusions. What is unique to his articulation of holistic mission is the use of the concept of reconciliation to clarify what holistic mission requires. As he puts it in the Introduction, “We engage in holistic mission when we participate with God in putting the world back together in Jesus Christ: reconciliation as mission” (xii). Or as he states in the Conclusion, “This book has sought to reshape our understanding of the church’s holistic mission in the world by seeing it through the lens of biblical reconciliation” (212).
Tizon divides the book into four parts.
In Part 1, “Whole World,” he outlines “major global shifts that have massive implications for the church in mission” (3). These include globalization (6–20), post-Christendom (21–36), and postcolonialism (37–55). He severely critiques the first (i.e., capitalism) but embraces the other two.
In Part 2, “Whole Gospel,” Tizon critiques “false gospels” and “half gospels” (pp. 63–76). The former includes gospels of hate, prosperity, comfort, and empire. The latter includes the gospels of (merely) personal salvation and of (merely) social liberation, the characteristic understandings of the gospel on the Right and Left, respectively. Turning from critique to affirmation, he defines the gospel in terms of the kingdom of God. Trying together the concepts of kingdom and reconciliation, he writes: “To the extent that God reigns over existence, reconciliation between God and people, between people and people, and between God, people, and creation happens” (85).
In part 3, “Whole Church,” Tizon turns to the nature of the Church, believing that “the impact of the whole and reconciled gospel on the world depends on the wholeness of the bold and humble church” (96). Such a church requires “whole persons” (97–109); a diverse, reconciled, and reconciling community modeled on the relationships of the Persons of the Trinity (111–128); and “the spirituality and worship practices of the people of God” (129–144, cf. 130).
In Part 4, “Wholeness as Mission,” Tizon narrates the history of the theology and practice holistic mission (155–170). He writes about three dimensions of reconciliation (171–181). These dimensions describe “the ministries of (1) evangelism, facilitating reconciliation between God and people; (2) peacemaking, between people and people; and (3) stewardship, between God, people, and creation” (174). Finally, he asks, “What principles must be operative for genuine peace [among people] to manifest itself” (183–210, cf. 184).
While I agree with the general framework of holistic mission and am sympathetic to Tizon’s use of reconciliation as an organizing principle for it, I don’t agree with everything in the book. I struggled especially with Tizon’s critique of capitalism and embrace of a post-Christendom and postcolonial perspective in Part 1. Other readers may find different points of disagreement. Regardless, Whole and Reconciled is a worthy contribution to the theological and practice of holistic mission.
Book Reviewed
Al Tizon, Whole and Reconciled: Gospel, Church, and Mission in a Fractured World (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2018).
P.S. If you liked my review, please click “Helpful” on my Amazon review page.
In Whole and Reconciled, Al Tizon outlines a holistic missiology. Rather than rehearse the arguments for holism, however, he assumes their conclusions. What is unique to his articulation of holistic mission is the use of the concept of reconciliation to clarify what holistic mission requires. As he puts it in the Introduction, “We engage in holistic mission when we participate with God in putting the world back together in Jesus Christ: reconciliation as mission” (xii). Or as he states in the Conclusion, “This book has sought to reshape our understanding of the church’s holistic mission in the world by seeing it through the lens of biblical reconciliation” (212).
Tizon divides the book into four parts.
In Part 1, “Whole World,” he outlines “major global shifts that have massive implications for the church in mission” (3). These include globalization (6–20), post-Christendom (21–36), and postcolonialism (37–55). He severely critiques the first (i.e., capitalism) but embraces the other two.
In Part 2, “Whole Gospel,” Tizon critiques “false gospels” and “half gospels” (pp. 63–76). The former includes gospels of hate, prosperity, comfort, and empire. The latter includes the gospels of (merely) personal salvation and of (merely) social liberation, the characteristic understandings of the gospel on the Right and Left, respectively. Turning from critique to affirmation, he defines the gospel in terms of the kingdom of God. Trying together the concepts of kingdom and reconciliation, he writes: “To the extent that God reigns over existence, reconciliation between God and people, between people and people, and between God, people, and creation happens” (85).
In part 3, “Whole Church,” Tizon turns to the nature of the Church, believing that “the impact of the whole and reconciled gospel on the world depends on the wholeness of the bold and humble church” (96). Such a church requires “whole persons” (97–109); a diverse, reconciled, and reconciling community modeled on the relationships of the Persons of the Trinity (111–128); and “the spirituality and worship practices of the people of God” (129–144, cf. 130).
In Part 4, “Wholeness as Mission,” Tizon narrates the history of the theology and practice holistic mission (155–170). He writes about three dimensions of reconciliation (171–181). These dimensions describe “the ministries of (1) evangelism, facilitating reconciliation between God and people; (2) peacemaking, between people and people; and (3) stewardship, between God, people, and creation” (174). Finally, he asks, “What principles must be operative for genuine peace [among people] to manifest itself” (183–210, cf. 184).
While I agree with the general framework of holistic mission and am sympathetic to Tizon’s use of reconciliation as an organizing principle for it, I don’t agree with everything in the book. I struggled especially with Tizon’s critique of capitalism and embrace of a post-Christendom and postcolonial perspective in Part 1. Other readers may find different points of disagreement. Regardless, Whole and Reconciled is a worthy contribution to the theological and practice of holistic mission.
Book Reviewed
Al Tizon, Whole and Reconciled: Gospel, Church, and Mission in a Fractured World (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2018).
P.S. If you liked my review, please click “Helpful” on my Amazon review page.
May 3, 2023
Tizon crafts a convincing case that Christian mission is holistic. I’m intrigued with his idea that discipleship is the vocation of the church, not just one part of the church. He provides more than enough scriptural evidence to argue that the church is called to evangelize, bring peace, and steward God’s people and creation. His ideas about reconciliation are certainly realistic for ministry, and I am challenged to use these ideas within the context of military chaplaincy.
October 18, 2018
I had to read this book for class, and honestly it was not one that I would've come across otherwise. However, I really enjoyed it. This book is essentially about the ministry of reconciliation that we have been given (2 Cor 5:18). It paints a really compelling picture of the whole world being reconciled to God and what that means for the Church, specifically in relation to peacemaking and multicultural relationships in the local church and between churches.
October 18, 2018
Whole and Reconciled
Gospel, Church, and Mission in a Fractured World
by Al Tizon
Baker Academic & Brazos Press
Baker Academic
Christian
Pub Date 16 Oct 2018
I am reviewing a copy of Whole and Reconciled through Baker Academic and Netgalley:
The first part of this book seeks to understand global changes, and show how understanding, these changes, changes the way we live and understand our faith. It goes on to say interreligious competence as part of the ministry of reconciliation in a fractured world. The church also needs to have a level of competence in the Internet.
The book goes on to remind us that Christendom and Biblical Christianity, comparing the two is like comparing kool aide to water. Addison Hodges Hart describes Christendom as the historical merging of an institutional Church with the government of a state, the alignment of religion with politics and the alliance of clergy with ruling powers to share in those powers.
Christendom was not and never has been Christianity.
The book goes on to say that the Church needs to develop intercultue competence.
The author (s) go on to point out that that Christendom was never a good idea. They go on to point out that the western church needs to confess and repent of its colonial path.
False and Half Gospels are also addressed in here such as the gospel of hate, the gospel of prosperity.
I give Whole and Reconcoiled five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
The first part of this book seeks to understand global changes, and show how understanding, these changes, changes the way we live and understand our faith. It goes on to say interreligious competence as part of the ministry of reconciliation in a fractured world. The church also needs to have a level of competence in the Internet.
The book goes on to remind us that Christendom and Biblical Christianity, comparing the two is like comparing kool aide to water. Addison Hodges Hart describes Christendom as the historical merging of an institutional Church with the government of a state, the alignment of religion with politics and the alliance of clergy with ruling powers to share in those powers.
Christendom was not and never has been Christianity.
The book goes on to say that the Church needs to develop intercultue competence.
The author (s) go on to point out that that Christendom was never a good idea. They go on to point out that the western church needs to confess and repent of its colonial path.
False and Half Gospels are also addressed in here such as the gospel of hate, the gospel of prosperity.
I give Whole and Reconcoiled five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
May 3, 2020
Al Tizon writes from decades of personal experience and God-given passion. A brilliant thinker and communicator, Tizon offers theological insight and historical background to the concept of "wholeness" in mission. The book will stretch your understanding of "holistic mission". It's a must-read for anyone involved in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ through word or deed wanting a more robust and ultimately powerful version of it. I'm honored to know Tizon personally.
December 22, 2018
Outstanding. Tizon looks at the core of Christian life and theology through the gospel. His reflections on how mission transforms our thinking is insightful and challenging. His reflections on how our postcolonial setting influences how e think about what it means to share the gospel are important.
May 30, 2021
This book casts vision for Christian’s and the church to live into that would result in a faithful and credible witness of Christ. This book will get you thinking and begin forming you. It is a theological masterpiece
January 27, 2019
Christianity is the answer.
May 3, 2020
Interesting but pretty deep. Did not agree with all of his ideas
August 17, 2022
On combining evangelism (as traditionally understood) and social action as mission.
Read
October 31, 2025Best book on mission I've ever read. I grieved a little when I completed it.
October 23, 2019
“Whole and Reconciled” painstakingly demonstrates why it vitally important to consider the ministry of reconciliation as central to our contemporary understanding and practice of mission. For too long, our church has been engaging in a truncated mission. Tizon reminds us: only the whole gospel can bring salvation and shalom the whole world. By "whole gospel," we mean God's holistic mission comprised of word (evangelism, proclamation), deed (justice, acts of mercy), *and* reconciliation (the healing and restoration of broken relationships, people groups, and systems). In Tizon's words: "In the age of intensified conflict on virtually every level, it can no longer be just about putting word and deed back together again...holistic mission also needs to be about joining God in putting the world back together again. It needs to be about participating with God in the healing of the nations." (xvii)
As an evangelism practitioner, I deeply appreciate Tizon's awareness of the centrality of evangelism to the church's missional task. He observes that in much of the church today, even among its supposedly missional advocates and enterprises, "we can identify evangelism as the endangered species." (75) As well he laments, "I fear that many evangelicals have fallen into Satan’s trap of upholding kingdom values [doing social justice work] to the diminution of God’s call to proactively go after the lost and proclaim the gospel." (75) This awareness is critical if the church is to successfully fulfill its mandate to make disciples--and not just to make this world a slightly better place. Tizon is also quick to clarify that “any biblical treatment of [the ministry of reconciliation] sees the reuniting of humanity to God as the basis of all other levels of reconciliation.” (xviii)
At the same time, Tizon challenges the church to grow up! He calls us to grow up in mission, to pursue a mission maturity marked by holism. Mature, holistic mission is what is required if we hope to see the kingdom come--in other words, if we hope to make the *kind* of disciples in the *kind* of world that Jesus intended. "To burn with the fire of God’s justice for the suffering and oppressed poor around the world without losing the fire of God’s desire for all to come to personal faith through Jesus Christ is the essence of the missionary call in the service of the whole gospel." (62)
Furthermore, Tizon calls us to maturity in mission by unapologetically embracing a fully "postcolonial" approach. While celebrating and acknowledging the awesome fruit that God has brought forth over the centuries from the Western missionary enterprise, Tizon also painfully opens our eyes to how the church's historic "missionary" efforts have in fact been a prime contributor to the deep fracturing and devastation of nations and peoples, both here at home and around the world. Yet his premise is clear: the problem is not mission. The problem is our *approach* to mission. It is time for us to move past deeply embedded colonial habits, practices, and attitudes, and to pursue with renewed vigor our call to be ambassadors of reconciliation which actually heal—rather than aggravate!--the multiple and painful rifts between God, humanity, cultures, and all creation. It is time for us to embrace missional maturity.
As a senior leader of a Christian organization engaged in mission, I consider “Whole and Reconciled” to be a missions masterpiece and a powerful culmination of Tizon’s varied and venerable career as a missionary practitioner, executive, and scholar. Although most readers will not agree with every point, this book is essential reading for anyone who hopes to advance the mission of Jesus Christ in this generation. Highly recommended.
As an evangelism practitioner, I deeply appreciate Tizon's awareness of the centrality of evangelism to the church's missional task. He observes that in much of the church today, even among its supposedly missional advocates and enterprises, "we can identify evangelism as the endangered species." (75) As well he laments, "I fear that many evangelicals have fallen into Satan’s trap of upholding kingdom values [doing social justice work] to the diminution of God’s call to proactively go after the lost and proclaim the gospel." (75) This awareness is critical if the church is to successfully fulfill its mandate to make disciples--and not just to make this world a slightly better place. Tizon is also quick to clarify that “any biblical treatment of [the ministry of reconciliation] sees the reuniting of humanity to God as the basis of all other levels of reconciliation.” (xviii)
At the same time, Tizon challenges the church to grow up! He calls us to grow up in mission, to pursue a mission maturity marked by holism. Mature, holistic mission is what is required if we hope to see the kingdom come--in other words, if we hope to make the *kind* of disciples in the *kind* of world that Jesus intended. "To burn with the fire of God’s justice for the suffering and oppressed poor around the world without losing the fire of God’s desire for all to come to personal faith through Jesus Christ is the essence of the missionary call in the service of the whole gospel." (62)
Furthermore, Tizon calls us to maturity in mission by unapologetically embracing a fully "postcolonial" approach. While celebrating and acknowledging the awesome fruit that God has brought forth over the centuries from the Western missionary enterprise, Tizon also painfully opens our eyes to how the church's historic "missionary" efforts have in fact been a prime contributor to the deep fracturing and devastation of nations and peoples, both here at home and around the world. Yet his premise is clear: the problem is not mission. The problem is our *approach* to mission. It is time for us to move past deeply embedded colonial habits, practices, and attitudes, and to pursue with renewed vigor our call to be ambassadors of reconciliation which actually heal—rather than aggravate!--the multiple and painful rifts between God, humanity, cultures, and all creation. It is time for us to embrace missional maturity.
As a senior leader of a Christian organization engaged in mission, I consider “Whole and Reconciled” to be a missions masterpiece and a powerful culmination of Tizon’s varied and venerable career as a missionary practitioner, executive, and scholar. Although most readers will not agree with every point, this book is essential reading for anyone who hopes to advance the mission of Jesus Christ in this generation. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews