Francis of Assisi, Christology, and mission

In recent years, global theologians of mission have emphasized a posture of mission from below-missional engagement from a place of weakness and vulnerability. In part a reaction to the mistakes of Christendom and Christian mission's alliance with political and economic power, mission from belo...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Smither, Edward L. (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Sage [2018]
In: Missiology
Year: 2018, Volume: 46, Issue: 3, Pages: 283-292
RelBib Classification:AX Inter-religious relations
BJ Islam
CC Christianity and Non-Christian religion; Inter-religious relations
KCA Monasticism; religious orders
NBF Christology
RJ Mission; missiology
Further subjects:B Francis of Assisi
B Muslim ministry
B Christology
B Islam
B mission from below
B history of mission
B Mission (international law
Online Access: Volltext (Resolving-System)
Description
Summary:In recent years, global theologians of mission have emphasized a posture of mission from below-missional engagement from a place of weakness and vulnerability. In part a reaction to the mistakes of Christendom and Christian mission's alliance with political and economic power, mission from below aims to recover first-century mission that emulates the way of Christ and the apostles. This approach to mission is also relevant in contexts today where Christian freedom (for worship and witness) is limited by tyrannical or resistant governments. As we strive to be as wise as serpents and gentle as doves in contemporary mission, it seems fruitful to explore the theology of mission of a medieval Italian mendicant monk who ministered to Muslims during the Crusades. In this article, following a brief narrative of Francis of Assisi's (1181-1226) life and journey in mission, I will focus on Francis's Christology and how that shaped his approach to mission among Muslims and others. Finally, I will conclude with some reflections for what the church on mission today might gain from Francis.
ISSN:2051-3623
Contains:Enthalten in: Missiology
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1177/0091829618784900