Building up the Church of Christ

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Theological Education:
  • Theological education in southern Africa: the challenge of turning rhetoric into reality
• Evangelism:
  • Theological giants and the evangelistic dimension of mission
• Apologetics:
  • The Battle for truth in Namibia
• Missional Theology:
  • Globalisation and mission: what do missiologists mean when they speak of globalisation?

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This book, the first volume of essays by NETS faculty members, aims to contribute to the seminary's mission of equipping Christians with the knowledge and skills to live godly lives and serve the Church and the wider community. The essays reflect on different aspects of God's mission in southern Africa and beyond.

• The role and effectiveness of theological education in equipping Christians for ministry
• The impact of "modern heresies" on the church in Namibia
• The significance of evangelism and its place in theological thought
• The relationship between globalisation and mission
• The challenges faced by pastors in their ministry

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Theological Education: The Challenge of Turning Rhetoric into Reality: This chapter explores the role of theological education in southern Africa, questioning whether institutions are truly equipping Christians for ministry. The author highlights the importance of connecting with local churches and provides examples of how NETS is seeking to turn rhetoric into reality through programs like Word Alive and Pastors' Retreat.
• Theological Giants and the Evangelistic Dimension of Mission: This essay examines the views of four influential 20th-century theologians (Barth, Bonhoeffer, Tillich, and Moltmann) on the concept of evangelism. It challenges the notion that evangelism is unpopular and analyzes its significance within a broader missiological context.
• The Battle for Truth in Namibia: This chapter delves into the impact of "modern heresies," such as prosperity gospel and open theism, on the church in Namibia. The author explores these theological movements in light of Genesis 3:1-5 and their implications for the faithful practice of Christianity in the Namibian context.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The key themes and concepts explored in this book include theological education, evangelism, mission, globalisation, modern heresies, prosperity gospel, open theism, and the spiritual health of pastors. The essays highlight the importance of practical ministry, equipping Christians for service, and the challenges faced by the church in southern Africa.