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Perspectives on the World Christian Movement: A Reader
Perspectives on the World Christian Movement (Third Edition) is a collection of readings exploring the biblical, historical, cultural, and strategic dimensions of world evangelization. Writings from more than 90 mission scholars and practitioners introduce lay people and students to the astounding potential of the global Christian movement. Each of the 125 articles offers practical wisdom enabling Christians to labor together in bold, biblical hope to finish the task of seeing Christ named and followed among all the peoples of the earth.
782 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1981
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
May 7, 2020
Technically the class required only 85% of the book read, so that is all I covered.
This is the textbook (comprised of articles) for the 15-week Perspectives course on world missions covering the Biblical, historical, cultural, & strategic perspectives of missions to the world. The historical section was my favorite, and while I didn’t agree with some of the viewpoints, I generally found a good deal of helpful thoughts and analyses.
This is the textbook (comprised of articles) for the 15-week Perspectives course on world missions covering the Biblical, historical, cultural, & strategic perspectives of missions to the world. The historical section was my favorite, and while I didn’t agree with some of the viewpoints, I generally found a good deal of helpful thoughts and analyses.
May 6, 2023
Perspectives the class, great! The textbook, mid.
February 4, 2009
February 4, 2009 -
This book which was made for the college course "Perspectives on the World Christian Movement" is unique in that it is not written by one or two authors, but by many authors all sharing the common belief that God commanded His people to go spread His word among the nations. Just like the class which consists of different people every week giving the seminars, the book has many authors who each write about specific topics. The book covers the basics of missions from the Biblical reasons for missions all the way to the strategic ways to build churches in areas that are hostile to foreign religions. It focuses on countries in the world that still today, have no knowledge of God or Jesus and that are dark and frightening places which call for help. Places like Tibet and India to unknown tribes in Africa, and even to places in Russia and the Czech Republic. All over the world, people live in fear or corruption in their daily living, yet about ninety percent of Christians do not leave their own countries to help these people because they do not feel "called to go." This book, along with the class, is a BIG eye-opener in that it shows us that Biblically, we are all called to go. I was amazed last year when I went as a guest to just one of the classes, and now that I am taking it this year and reading the book, I am even more amazed. It has literally changed the path I was going to take because of the powerful truth behind it which lies almost completely ignored and forgotten in the Bible itself. I think that any Christian, whether planning to go on missions or not should read this as well as take the class if they can because they will be absolutely dumbfounded!
February 7, 2016
My bias is perhaps I have more interest in biblical theology than in the history of world missions, and having grown up in a charismatic missions church, find the case studies to be less "spectacular" than I had expected. I did really enjoy the assortment of biblical perspectives, and works by the pioneers of modern missions (like Carey and Taylor).
Maybe the fact that we were to read this title as a compulsory reading for a missions course killed the joy of reading. If I were to purchase this book, I would cut it up and only keep the more enjoyable chapters (1-7, 9, 11-19, 21, 24, 27-28, 30-31, 34-36, 43, 48-51, 54, 69, 75-76, 78-80, 88, 99, 101, 106, 110, 132, 134-6). Overall, there are a few brilliant articles, but the disjointment from author to author does not provide a smooth overarching picture from theology to practice. I also would avoid any article written by Hawthorne as he writes from a non-scholarly perspective.
Maybe the fact that we were to read this title as a compulsory reading for a missions course killed the joy of reading. If I were to purchase this book, I would cut it up and only keep the more enjoyable chapters (1-7, 9, 11-19, 21, 24, 27-28, 30-31, 34-36, 43, 48-51, 54, 69, 75-76, 78-80, 88, 99, 101, 106, 110, 132, 134-6). Overall, there are a few brilliant articles, but the disjointment from author to author does not provide a smooth overarching picture from theology to practice. I also would avoid any article written by Hawthorne as he writes from a non-scholarly perspective.
December 20, 2023
If there is one book out there that can convince any Christian about God's heart for the nations, it is this book. Covering the biblical, historical, cultural, and strategic perspectives of what it means to go and make disciples of Jesus Christ of all the nations (Matthew 28:16-20), Perspectives on the World Christian Movement is precisely that, the four perspectives of how we can understand God's global purposes. Since this book accompanies a course, it is quite thick, but with short chapters that are easily digestible for readers who pick it up. Don't let the size of the book deter you! It is a magnificent compendium of everything related to missions and evangelism, but more than that, it teaches believers how to have a global Christian mindset. This is the very book that convinced me that I could not remain a Christian who was uninterested in what was happening to others around the world. Apart from the Bible, this book has had an immeasurable influence on my life, changing the trajectory of how I practice my faith and how I choose to live.
Not only are there inspiring stories of God at work around the world, written by the very people who have witnessed the transforming power of Jesus, there are calls to action that I have carried with me to this day after first hearing about it decades ago. If there is just one section that a Christian should read, I highly recommend all the chapters under World Christian Discipleship. This section gets at the heart of what it means to follow God, to be a blessing to others, and to share in God's heart for the world. Ralph D. Winter, who sadly passed away just before the release of the fourth edition, wrote a chapter called "Reconsecration to a Wartime, Not a Peacetime, Lifestyle" that has undoubtedly convicted me to not live life for myself. If these three short pages can make that much of a difference in my formative and adult years, imagine what the full book and accompanying course can do in your walk with God!
Review link: https://christianshelves.blogspot.com...
Not only are there inspiring stories of God at work around the world, written by the very people who have witnessed the transforming power of Jesus, there are calls to action that I have carried with me to this day after first hearing about it decades ago. If there is just one section that a Christian should read, I highly recommend all the chapters under World Christian Discipleship. This section gets at the heart of what it means to follow God, to be a blessing to others, and to share in God's heart for the world. Ralph D. Winter, who sadly passed away just before the release of the fourth edition, wrote a chapter called "Reconsecration to a Wartime, Not a Peacetime, Lifestyle" that has undoubtedly convicted me to not live life for myself. If these three short pages can make that much of a difference in my formative and adult years, imagine what the full book and accompanying course can do in your walk with God!
Review link: https://christianshelves.blogspot.com...
September 15, 2018
This was a life-changing course, both as a Christian and as a missionary. I wouldn't recommend reading this book alone: it is intended to be read together with the study guide, in the context of a Perspectives course (which you can find near to you, or do online as I did). If you can do the course in person I would highly recommend that, though the book and study guide together can be standalone (the course adds lectures, discussions, and homework).
The course is highly academic, and requires a lot of reading, so I wouldn't recommend this to just anyone. It's also not something I would recommend to a new Christian: I saw someone who was looking to read this to learn more about the Christian faith, but this is not a primer on Christian faith -- it is a much more indepth look at missions (one aspect of Christian faith, though certainly a central one). However I would recommend this course/book to *anyone* interested in going overseas (short-term or long-term), and I would recommend it to any mature Christian who can handle to readings. It really changed my thinking regarding Christian missions, but it also had an impact on my view of the Bible and Christian living.
The course is highly academic, and requires a lot of reading, so I wouldn't recommend this to just anyone. It's also not something I would recommend to a new Christian: I saw someone who was looking to read this to learn more about the Christian faith, but this is not a primer on Christian faith -- it is a much more indepth look at missions (one aspect of Christian faith, though certainly a central one). However I would recommend this course/book to *anyone* interested in going overseas (short-term or long-term), and I would recommend it to any mature Christian who can handle to readings. It really changed my thinking regarding Christian missions, but it also had an impact on my view of the Bible and Christian living.
February 21, 2023
I'm in the Perspectives course. Find one near you! www.perspectives.org. This is the text for the course. It is a 15 week course and requires active reading with weekly assignments so be sure to make it a priority to get the most out of it. The book is in it's 4th edition. Although I understand there's a 5 edition coming soon. This is the best course I've taken to understand the full picture of the Bible beginning to end, how God is working in the world through history and today, and how I can join in on what He's doing. It's exciting!
November 25, 2021
If you're interested in joining God in His blessing of all families on earth through the glorification of Jesus, this course is for you.
TBH, some of the content is now a bit dated having been written in the early 2000s (not to mention pre-COVID), but the content and course is well put together and certainly worth the money.
TBH, some of the content is now a bit dated having been written in the early 2000s (not to mention pre-COVID), but the content and course is well put together and certainly worth the money.
November 19, 2020
Warning: One theme that runs through the book is Winter’s well-known advocacy of new Christ-followers retaining their former cultural and even religious identity. Be sure to read this critically, not just swallowing it whole, and consult your Bible, as you read.
December 28, 2017
As of the writing of this review I've read 24 of the 124 articles in this collection and they have been educational and inspiring. A great collection and survey of the missionary enterprise.
January 26, 2018
Such informative and enlightening material. This book is full of articles, stories and essays of some of the greatest minds. This is material that can be read and re-read and read again!
May 2, 2018
Good book - I actually liked the older versions of this book better. For those who want to learn about missions, this is a good primer.
March 4, 2019
Excellent study!
June 22, 2019
If you are interested in the Great Commission read this. Better yet, take the course.
September 13, 2019
...would recommend this is a classical resource
October 12, 2020
An excellent book on the need and progress of world-wide missions. I would highly recommend it.
October 18, 2022
This is a book on missions from a reformed perspective. If you believe the Great Commission was a command from Jesus to evangelize everyone then this is not a book for you
October 1, 2014
It's always a joy to finish a textbook. No matter how interesting the topic, reading a textbook is an effort and I'm very glad to see the last page.
Perspectives
is a course on cross cultural mission work that friends have been recommending for years. As interesting as it sounds, I've never taken it--a 15 week course is a time commitment I don't think I can afford at this stage in life. A couple of years ago, however, I happened to see an earlier edition of the textbook at a used book sale. After a few months of letting sit on my shelf, I finally cracked it open and have spent quite some time slowly making my way through the biblical, historical, cultural and strategic perspectives of Christianity. It's been a fascinating and thought provoking ride. I feel vindicated in not trying to squeeze the course into my daily life. But it also pushes me to question my priorities and wonder how I might be a better servant of Jesus here in my own corner of the world. Read this book at your own risk.
May 7, 2016
This is the main text for the 15-week, missions-oriented class by the same time.
I took the less intensive track, which they call "key readings," sort of the equivalent of auditing a college course. So I read the "key readings" in the text, probably about half of the 770 pages.
It's not so much a textbook as a single-volume library of the best thinking about the biblical, cultural, historical and strategic foundations of missions through 2009, when the edition was published. It's a fast-developing field, which is one reason that the classes add a lot to the readings.
Always having the class coming up helped me to keep focused on the readings as well. It's a physically big book -- not the kind one puts in a backpack for reading material on a hike.
The "Reader" includes numerous authors. My favorite is missions guru Ralph D. Winter. He was good on the theory, good on the practical application, good on the context.
I took the less intensive track, which they call "key readings," sort of the equivalent of auditing a college course. So I read the "key readings" in the text, probably about half of the 770 pages.
It's not so much a textbook as a single-volume library of the best thinking about the biblical, cultural, historical and strategic foundations of missions through 2009, when the edition was published. It's a fast-developing field, which is one reason that the classes add a lot to the readings.
Always having the class coming up helped me to keep focused on the readings as well. It's a physically big book -- not the kind one puts in a backpack for reading material on a hike.
The "Reader" includes numerous authors. My favorite is missions guru Ralph D. Winter. He was good on the theory, good on the practical application, good on the context.
July 30, 2010
This book is really a compilation of short articles by many different authors, missionaries, and leaders. I read the book while taking the Perspectives class. While it was assigned as homework for me, I found the vast majority of the articles interesting and insightful.
I would highly recommend many of the articles in the book. If you are interested in Christian missions and want a better understanding of the Bible reason for missions, the history of Christian missions, the interaction of the Gospel with cultures (contextualization) and the strategies currently being employed around the world, this book is for you. It really truly blew me away with things I had never ever heard before despite going to Bible college and being in churches for more than 20 years.
I have already used an article from the book to pass along to others in my church.
I would highly recommend many of the articles in the book. If you are interested in Christian missions and want a better understanding of the Bible reason for missions, the history of Christian missions, the interaction of the Gospel with cultures (contextualization) and the strategies currently being employed around the world, this book is for you. It really truly blew me away with things I had never ever heard before despite going to Bible college and being in churches for more than 20 years.
I have already used an article from the book to pass along to others in my church.
June 21, 2008
This (ESPECIALLY when read in conjunction with the study guide) has one of the most comprehensive collections of writings on the Biblical, historical, cultural, and strategic perspectives on the world Christian Movement. Published in 1999, some of the information is slightly dated (for example, in the early 2000's, the majority of Christians live in the non-"Western" world. But - I look forward to the new book coming out in December of 2008!!
Also, this is the North American edition. I have not yet read (but would love to) the books with the historical section from the Chinese perspective, the Indian Perspective, the Latin American perspective, the South Pacific perspective, and the African perspective.
Also, this is the North American edition. I have not yet read (but would love to) the books with the historical section from the Chinese perspective, the Indian Perspective, the Latin American perspective, the South Pacific perspective, and the African perspective.
July 31, 2008
An interesting insight into missions work as has previously happened while providing models and theories applicable in all situations.
Some of the essays are more biographical while others are move academic. All the same, this proves an interesting resource for anyone dealing with people on a cross-cultural basis throwing into light some of the things i know i certainly had never considered even came into communications across cultural barriers.
Each essay is extremely practical based in fact and actual missions work, and as such becomes applicable accross circumstances in that lessons learnt are eloquently passed on with brilliant illustrations of all the complications, queries and comments which real life and real people bring to the fore!
Some of the essays are more biographical while others are move academic. All the same, this proves an interesting resource for anyone dealing with people on a cross-cultural basis throwing into light some of the things i know i certainly had never considered even came into communications across cultural barriers.
Each essay is extremely practical based in fact and actual missions work, and as such becomes applicable accross circumstances in that lessons learnt are eloquently passed on with brilliant illustrations of all the complications, queries and comments which real life and real people bring to the fore!
December 16, 2009
Deeply challenging, potentially life-altering textbook for the class by the same name. Taking the 16 week course has challenged the way I see God, ministry, leadership development, priorities, culture, the world, history, church, spirituality, community development, language learning, life, myself, the Bible, and so on.
Great articles from various authors, pastors, professors, anthropologists, sociologists, historians, and workers from different international agencies. I recommend taking the class if you have the time (it was about three hours of class and three hours of homework each week for a certificate of completion, more if you want seminary credit) and money (about $250), but definitely worth it if you can commit to it.
Great articles from various authors, pastors, professors, anthropologists, sociologists, historians, and workers from different international agencies. I recommend taking the class if you have the time (it was about three hours of class and three hours of homework each week for a certificate of completion, more if you want seminary credit) and money (about $250), but definitely worth it if you can commit to it.
July 23, 2013
This book has changed my Perspective in ways I didn't even now were possible. I read the majority of this book over a 15 week course called Perspectives on the World Christian Movement. This course works through sections of the book with you and expands your entire vision on missions. This book shows you the ultimate truth. That truth is that God should be the center of everything we do. Missions should not be done out of sentiment or guilt for the people. But missions should be done ultimately to bring glory to our Majestic and Mighty God.
I hope this was helpful, for more information about the Perspectives course send me a message and I would be more than delighted to help you out.
I hope this was helpful, for more information about the Perspectives course send me a message and I would be more than delighted to help you out.
May 21, 2015
Don't just read the textbook on its own; take the Perspectives class! Many of the articles in the book are pretty amazing (my favorite was probably "Beyond Duty" by Tim Dearborn). Taking the class and going through the articles is an incredible experience. I was exposed to "perspectives" I've never heard of before. Now that the class is over, I'm interested in welcoming international students in my city (Philadelphia), and I feel more prepared (although I realize there's much learning I have to do!)
Full disclosure: I didn't read every article written in this textbook, but I did read the ones required for the "Certificate" level of Perspectives.
Full disclosure: I didn't read every article written in this textbook, but I did read the ones required for the "Certificate" level of Perspectives.
June 1, 2011
Perspectives is definately an eye-opener to what God calls us to do! The gospel must be taken to all nations. We are commanded to share the gospel with everyone and the really cool thing is at the rate this is occuring it could actually happen in our lifetime! Wouldn't it be marvelous to be alive when Jesus returns! I realized in this class that knowing Jesus Christ gives me a peace that is unreal but it's not about me!!! It's about Him! God, it's all about God! It's about people worshiping God!
April 19, 2015
This is a very broad resource with over 100 essays. Some of them were strange (like Ralph Winter's "The Kingdom Strikes Back" in which he outlines a revisionist history of Christianity with imprecise dates and argues that God punishes the church when it neglects is primary mission of evangelizing all nations) but many are good. I think this would be the first resource I would hand to any student interested in becoming a missionary whether short- or long-term. Many of the essays are written by top missiologists and New Testament scholars, and many are written by missionaries.
March 8, 2007
Extremely thick and long book. It is filled with chapters from other books dealing with missions. The reading goes by fast because there are so many chapters from other books. You dont havent read the book from chapter 1. You can start anyway. Very insightful and challenging. The ideas about Bible, missions, culture and people are great. And many inspiring stories of people serving God in missions.
April 6, 2011
OK...well, I didn't read EVERY article in it, only the required ones for the Perspectives class. Many of the articles were really eye-opening and this book HAS changed my perspective on the World Christian Movement. The articles are written by people from various backgrounds and thoughts - so the authors might not all agree....but it helped me think outside of the box and it also helped me to understand church history and other cultures a bit better.
May 10, 2016
I just finished the 15 week Perspectives class at my church. I really enjoyed the class. This book contained the readings which we did each week for the class. The book itself was pretty dry. The speakers that spoke each week regarding the topics were excellent. I would encourage everyone to take this class at some time in their lives. The book needs to be livened up.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews