Paradigms in Conflict: 10 Key Questions in Christian Missions Today

by David J. Hesselgrave

A prominent missiologist provides insight and guidance on the hot topics within Christian mission circles in this unique and timely discussion. Through the authoritative use of Scripture and drawing from the social sciences and history, David J. Hesselgrave tackles ten of the most pressing issues facing missionaries and students of missions today. In spite of the rapid changes taking place, Hesselgrave determines that much of traditional theory, practice, and theology is still valid, if not essential, for the future of Christian missions.

Genres: Theology, Nonfiction, Christian, Evangelism, Christianity

368 pages, Paperback

First published October 11, 2005

Reviews

[Zack Formby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this as a textbook for one of my graduate classes. Very informative about the issues faced in the world of missions. Very thorough, not too dry, relevant. Now I need to go write a 12 page paper on it🫠

[Landon Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read Hesselgraves' Paradigms in Conflict when I was in seminary. That earlier edition had 10 questions. This updated edition has 15 questions. The book is helpful and thorough in explaining the issues, tensions, conflicts, and uncertainties in "missions." I'd give the book 5 stars if the opening chapter on "Calvinism" wasn't so ridiculous.

[Jake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hesselgrave addresses ten key questions in contemporary missiology. A handful of current scholars offer short updates to the original chapters along with answering five more important questions. This book is helpful in introducing readers to some of the most important topics in the field today. While the newly added chapters in the second edition were helpful, they felt unbalanced compared to Hesselgrave's longer chapters.

[Keith Skrdlant · Rating 2 out of 5]

I heard a podcast the other day talk about three different aspects of truth. There is truth as proposition, matters of fact. There is truth as meaning, matters of intent. Lastly, there is truth as wisdom, matters of conduct.

One of the side effects of hyperfixating on propositional truths is the abandonment of nuance. When there is an objective fact to everything, binary, black-and-white thinking becomes the norm.

Such is the approach of this book. There are fifteen chapters. The first ten chapters are clearly more developed than the last five, which look like high school blog posts by comparison. So ignoring them and looking at the first ten, you'll see two contrasting approaches to mission theology and practice. ALL of these contrasts deserve there own book. In fact, over and over this book states that there's no time or space to give [insert subject] the attention it deserves. But it'll rush on anyway.

The formula for each chapter is pretty simple: there's a anecdote about the author's time in Japan that introduces the conflict, followed by a brief historical overview of the conflict. We'll highlight approach A, only to pick it apart piece by piece with arguments that come from very different starting points, therefore approach B is better. I'd be offended if I wasn't struggling to stay awake: it's so clear in the language of this book that the author is taking a defensive stance, not an inquisitive one. Perhaps he does have the superior way to think about missions, but that doesn't change the fact that this is a book about superior hermeneutics in disguise.

[Russell Holland · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Hesselgrave’s Paradigms in Conflict is an essential text for anyone interacting with international Christian missions and their associated disciplines. Hesselgrave dealt with many issues facing missions, not only in history but also in the current era. The issues discussed include views of God’s sovereignty, worldviews and how to relate to them, the appropriate model for missions ministry, and the role of Bibliology and eschatology in missions. He dealt with each of the issues in a thoroughly researched and reasoned manner, giving his conclusions. His positions are not always apparent, and one may need to work to keep the overview of a given chapter in view. The updated reflections and additional chapters also help to bring some clarity to their summaries and additional material. This is a book that every current and prospective missionary should read, and a good number of pastors would also benefit from the material within these pages.

Anyone who is interested in the task of world evangelism and the many complications that they may face in seeking to participate in this mission of God should read this book. Hesselgrave does a wonderful job of connecting theological positions with their practical effects on mission work. For one wishing to understand the mosaic of Christian mission practice and philosophy today, this book will serve as an excellent primer.

[Lane Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall, I found this book to be quite informative. As an MDiv student in Missiology, this book was a great introduction for me into current Missiological arguments. With the most recent addition, 5 questions have been added to 10 chapters that Hesselgrave originally wrote. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! This is not an ultimate answer for every question discussed, but wets the appetite for more! I would encourage anyone who is interested in missiology to pick up this book and begin wrestling with their theological commitments!

[Bri Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tough read at points, and the chapters are quite lengthy (but comprehensive!) so only four stars from me. However, there were a few really important chapters, like the ones on spiritual warfare and the social gospel, that were impactful. I would encourage anyone considering moving overseas to read through this and consider their stances on these topics as they prepare to go. It just might take a while.

[Daniel Arter · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author seeks to give his take on 15 significant issues within Missiology. In doing so, he takes a mostly unbiased look at the problem itself, various solutions to that problem, and then his proposed solution to the problem.

It answers some difficult questions and is worth reading even for those who aren’t interested in missions.

[Jonah Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fine. Pretty disorganized at times (and a lot of rabbit trails). The good was good and the other 3/4 was just okay. Glad I read it, because I was not familiar with missionary methodologies (paradigms). With that said, I can’t say I’d ever read it again.

[Dylan Armstrong · Rating 3 out of 5]

It did its job in making me think through different aspects of missiology, but I would love to see the concept of diagonalization introduced to the book. There were chapters it felt like the author was choosing a side in fear of the “extreme” of the other side.

[Matthew Bandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Key book for missions these days

[Faith Key · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5
:/

[Samm Ellingson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the chapter on the missiology of the poor but the rest was 😴😴😴

[C.J. Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has always been a great book, and I'm somewhat glad they decided to update it. The only problem is that Hesselgrave's chapters hardly changed at all (if any), from the previous edition. The best thing about it is that "update reflections" are added at the end of each of his original ten chapters, though I wish that these had been longer. In addition, five missiologists and missionary thinkers have added five more chapters. The topics are especially relevant (e.g., harvest vs. pioneer misisons, Business as mission, creation care, etc.), though they too were a bit too short especially in comparison to Hesselgrave's chapters.

[Mark A Powell · Rating 3 out of 5]

While all evangelical churches would agree that missions is a direct command of Christ, the issues of where, how, and what have long led to debate. Here, Hesselgrave examines key concepts that have direct impact on both the purpose and practice of missions. By addressing multiple vantage points, Hesselgrave is able to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each argument. Although this leads to occasional vagueness when settling on his position, the overall effort is commendable.

[Mikkee · Rating 3 out of 5]

if you are interested in missions and theology, this would be a good read. a dry read, but highly informative.