Christianity and Other Cultures

Most introductions to mission studies do not have a chapter on methods. The present introduction bridges this gap. It introduces students to mission studies from the perspective of how to do mission studies. Taking his studies of syncretism and inculturation in African Christianity as an example, Frans Wijsen def"|ines the object of mission studies as cross-cultural Christian communication and advocates the practical-theological spiral as an appropriate method: observation, interpretation, evaluation, innovation. These steps cover everything a beginning scholar needs to practice mission studies.

Frans Wijsen is Professor of Religious Studies and Mission Studies at Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands.