Book Review on Transforming Mission
TRANSFORMING MISSION BOOK REVIEW
(Paradigm Shifts in the Theology of Mission) (Author: David J. Bosch)
This paper intends to analyze the writings of David J. Bosch in his book entitled “TRANSFORMING MISSION Paradigm Shifts in Theology of Mission:” This book review shall be presented in four (4) parts. First, is an introduction and a statement of the author’s intention for writing the book; secondly, a summary shall be presented about the major insights presented in this book. Thirdly, I shall present some comments and reactions that I had about the author and his writings. Last is the concluding part where I shall present my evaluation about the book in review, as well as my own opinion and understanding of “mission” as influenced by my readings in this book.
PART 1: INTRODUCTION AND AUTHOR’S INTENTION The first and foremost thing that is important to our analysis of this book is our understanding of why the book is entitled as such. What message does the book title “Transforming Mission” want to imply? As suggested by the author in its foreword, the title of his book is ambiguous. At one instance, “transforming” can be used as an adjective describing “mission.” In this case, mission is understood as an enterprise that transforms reality. On the other hand, “transforming” can, however, also be a present participle, the activity of transforming; of which “mission” is the object. Here, mission is not the enterprise that transforms reality, but something that is itself being transformed.
The author relates that he at first had misgivings about using this title for his book. However, after thorough evaluation and discussion with his colleagues, he finally decided to use this as his book title. I may say that it is aptly titled, because the ambiguity in the book title in fact, reflects the subject matter of the book very accurately. Using the idea of “paradigm shifts,” Bosch attempts to demonstrate the extent to which the
(Paradigm Shifts in the Theology of Mission) (Author: David J. Bosch)
This paper intends to analyze the writings of David J. Bosch in his book entitled “TRANSFORMING MISSION Paradigm Shifts in Theology of Mission:” This book review shall be presented in four (4) parts. First, is an introduction and a statement of the author’s intention for writing the book; secondly, a summary shall be presented about the major insights presented in this book. Thirdly, I shall present some comments and reactions that I had about the author and his writings. Last is the concluding part where I shall present my evaluation about the book in review, as well as my own opinion and understanding of “mission” as influenced by my readings in this book.
PART 1: INTRODUCTION AND AUTHOR’S INTENTION The first and foremost thing that is important to our analysis of this book is our understanding of why the book is entitled as such. What message does the book title “Transforming Mission” want to imply? As suggested by the author in its foreword, the title of his book is ambiguous. At one instance, “transforming” can be used as an adjective describing “mission.” In this case, mission is understood as an enterprise that transforms reality. On the other hand, “transforming” can, however, also be a present participle, the activity of transforming; of which “mission” is the object. Here, mission is not the enterprise that transforms reality, but something that is itself being transformed.
The author relates that he at first had misgivings about using this title for his book. However, after thorough evaluation and discussion with his colleagues, he finally decided to use this as his book title. I may say that it is aptly titled, because the ambiguity in the book title in fact, reflects the subject matter of the book very accurately. Using the idea of “paradigm shifts,” Bosch attempts to demonstrate the extent to which the