Missional Apologetics

Bob Pratico's picture
written by Bob Pratico on 05 Jan.

from http://www.missionalapologetics.com/

(Note: while these principles look fine, be wary of the recommended resources on that web site: http://sojournhuntsville.org/blogs/bob_pratico/2007/01/05/test_everything)

1) Missional Apologetics applies the insights of missiology, recognizing that all Jesus-followers are called to be missionaries wherever they are.
2) Missional Apologetics emphasizes the importance of cultural studies and cross-cultural principles.
3) Missional Apologetics understands the importance of contextualization.
4) Missional Apologetics flows out of relationships.
5) Missional Apologetics employs reason, experience, and emotion, understanding the limitations of all.
6) Missional Apologetics incorporates one’s ears as well as mouth.
7) Missional Apologetics relies on the gospel lived, as well as taught.
8) Missional Apologetics requires serious reflection flowing from a mature biblical and theological foundation.
9) Missional Apologetics is engaged in by people who are lifelong learners.
10) Missional Apologetics is patient, recognizing that most people process new or difficult ideas over time.
11) Missional Apologetics recognizes that sometimes the best apologetic is an apology.
12) Missional Apologetics isn’t afraid of mystery and wonder. Rather, this compliments our understanding of a God who is immanent, yet transcendent.
13) Missional Apologetics values honesty over pretending to know it all.
14) Missional Apologetics seeks to create an environment where it’s safe to challenge, confront, and critique the Christian faith.
15) Missional Apologetics is centered on the Gospel, which is for everyone who believes. Therefore, Missional Apologetics does not discriminate.
16) Missional Apologetics is most effective in an environment where practitioners are allowed to fail, risk, dream, and imagine.
17) Missional Apologetics is comfortable with doubt.
18) Missional Apologetics is sociologically informed.
19) Missional Apologetics encourages dialogue, not merely monologue.
20) Missional Apologetics takes questions seriously.
21) Missional Apologetics is used as a tool for mission.
22) Missional Apologetics stands on the shoulders of its historical precursors, yet presses forward to contextually and relevantly apply apologetics in today’s world.
23) Missional Apologetics is humble, recognizing the role of the Holy Spirit.
24) Missional Apologetics understands it’s limitations, and that there is One Savior, Jesus Christ.
25) Missional Apologetics is ethical, and therefore uses the mind and hands to address social injustices, evil, and suffering in the world.
26) Missional Apologetics is dynamic, not static, as will likely be demonstrated by the additions, deletions, and revisions to this manifesto as time and relevance demands.

*******

A Missional Apologetic Journey
A typical journey of someone engaging in Missional Apologetics may look like the following.

1. Spend time with people.
2. Ask questions.
3. Read primary source literature.
4. Listen.
5. Observe.
6. Discover points of connection.
7. Think biblically and theologically.
8. Think contextually.
9. Be prepared to respond to questions about gospel.
10. Repeat.

Note: This isn’t necessarily a linear process, and is only presented as a rough picture of a Missional Apologetic Journey.
__________________________
Bob Pratico
Fides Quaerens Intellectum
(my Sojourn blog)

Post new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
  • Allowed HTML tags: <a> <img> <em> <strong> <cite> <code> <ul> <ol> <li> <dl> <dt> <dd> <h3>
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
  • Youtube and google video links are automatically converted into embedded videos.
  • SmartyPants will translate ASCII punctuation characters into “smart” typographic punctuation HTML entities.
  • Links to specified hosts will have a rel="nofollow" added to them.

  • You can use BBCode help in the text, URLs will be automatically converted to links
  • Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically.

More information about formatting options

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.
two * four =
Solve this math question and enter the solution with digits. E.g. for "two plus four = ?" enter "6".