Missio Dei in the religious and cultural milieu of Northeast Asia

Chapter I presents a theology of mission utilizing a triad of missio Dei., ecclesia Dei and regnum Dei. It incorporates Old Testament and New Testament texts, and an examination of mission practice in the Early Church and Reformation and post-Reformation periods up to the present day. Mission work of ecclesia Dei must find its grounding and source in missio Dei, with its goal located in regnum Dei. Chapter 2 explores various theories of contextualization, asking how should ecclesia Dei respond to and collaborate with missio Dei. Certain terms have become critical in guiding missiological praxis, such as: contextualization, indigenization, enculturation, inculturation and incarnation. Chapter 2 defines these terms, discussing their theological underpinnings while examining the ecclesial and theological location of these diverse approaches.; Chapters 3 and 4 cover Buddhism and Christianity as missions movements in China, Korea and Japan, examining the challenges and obstacles for each, and comparing ways that these traditions attempted to overcome these obstacles. Chapter 5 serves as the conclusion of the study, maintaining that there are lessons to learn from the comparison of Buddhist and Christian missions in light of the subject matter of the first two chapters. The discussion centers on such issues as power and weakness, orthodoxy and orthopraxis, and whether one's religion is an ally or foe of the local people. Methodology will have to remain flexible in responding to the various needs of Asian populations. We may have overcome most linguistic obstacles; however, continued work in addressing cultural barriers needs to be ongoing, while encouraging indigenous believers to search for indigenous solutions. Still needing attention is the penetration of the gospel at all levels of society. The Church needs to take indentities into careful account and communicate that it is for the people, for the nation, and that it has more to offer than personal salvation. Another pressing issue in Northeast Asia is the issue of ancestor veneration. Transformation of whole societies, in demonstrations of the fullness of the Kingdom, is the goal.