The future of mission and missiology in a rapidly-changing world

Abstract

Mission and missiology are facing a rapidly changing and an extremely challenging world. In the past theologians?from Voetius and Warneck to Bosch and Van Engen?engaged the world from their perspectives of mission. The globalised and postmodern world poses new challenges. A Christological approach is needed. The cross of Jesus must be central in the missiological endeavour. The missio Dei must always be regarded from this perspective. The confession that Christ is Lord must not be disregarded in the world of decolonisation and the fourth industrial revolution. The task of teaching missiology at a public university must take this into consideration.

In hierdie vinnig veranderende wêreld is daar groot uitdagings vir sending en sendingwetenskap. Teoloë soos Voetius en Warneck en later Bosch en Van Engen het vanuit hulle bepaalde perspektiewe van sending die wêreld benader. Globalisering en post-modernisme bied inderdaad nuwe uitdagings. ’n Christologiese benadering is noodsaaklik. Daarom moet die kruis van Jesus sentraal staan wanneer daar sendingwetenskaplik nagedink word. Die begrip missio Dei moet ook vanuit hierdie benadering hanteer word. Wanneer die uitdagings van postkolonialisme en die vierde nywerheidsrevolusie hanteer word, moet die belydenis dat Jesus die Here is steeds bevestig word. Onderrig in sendingwetenskap aan ’n openbare universiteit sal steeds vanuit hierdie belydenis moet geskied.