“A Jump Ahead”: The Church as Creative Minority in Eastern Germany
North American Christians increasingly spe ak of the church’s missiological task in a post-Christian context. The situation of the church in Eastern Germany offers us important insights. This area, once the heart of the Reformation, is now among the most secularized parts of the world. Most people n...
| Authors: | ; |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Sage Publ.
2012
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| In: |
Theology today
Year: 2012, Volume: 68, Issue: 4, Pages: 438-447 |
| Further subjects: | B
Church
B God’s humanity B Secularization B East Germany B Mission (international law |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Summary: | North American Christians increasingly spe ak of the church’s missiological task in a post-Christian context. The situation of the church in Eastern Germany offers us important insights. This area, once the heart of the Reformation, is now among the most secularized parts of the world. Most people no longer know basic Christian language or practices. They are either indifferent about matters of faith or suspicious that Christianity, like all religion, is bizarre and life-denying. This essay argues that the church as minority nevertheless has creative possibilities within a secular society. In such a situation, the church will commit itself to breaking down the walls that keep people away. Non-Christians must see that Christians are truly committed to others’ well-being. They must experience in the lives of Christians that God brings to life everything that lets humans be truly human. Advertising campaigns, appeals to a vague interest in spirituality, or musical and cultural events in church buildings will be less important than personal contact. Every church member has a responsibility to know the gospel and to represent it at work and in society. Theology plays an essential supporting role in this process. As Christians think critically about the gospel and the church’s responsibility to humanity, they see possibilities for justice and peace that the wider society does not recognize but desperately needs. The church even as minority is a wellspring of hope. |
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| ISSN: | 2044-2556 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Theology today
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1177/0040573611424221 |