This Week in Mission – Nov. 2, 2008

 

Recently I attended the American Academy of Religion Convention in Chicago. This is an annual routine of mine for over 25 years … and one way I try to keep current with international movements and theological trends.

 

For the first time the AAR (over 5000 international participants) separated its annual meeting from the SBL (Society for Biblical Learning with another 5000 members). The former now mainly focuses on the study of religion, and the latter focuses mainly on the study of the Bible … but clearly what has gone missing is the “practice of Christian discipleship”.

 

The book displays notably lacked publications in practical ministry, Christian living, and Christian mission. Senior editors from Abingdon, Zondervan, and Catholic presses are all left wondering where they should display their resources.

 

I saw few major themes in global Christian resources … more of a collage of many diverse interests. The ferment of publishing about the person and work of Jesus Christ (Christology) continues, although the protagonists are no long the Jesus Seminar vs. traditionalists, but rather (I think) the “western perspective” vs. the rest of the emerging Christian world.

 

Here are the books I picked up for future reading … and you may hear me comment on them in weeks to come:

 

Earthy Mysticism: Spirituality for Unspiritual People by Tex Sample (Abingdon)

The Crisis of Younger Clergy by Lovett Weems (Abingdon)

Dirty Word: The Vulgar, Offensive Language of the Kingdom of God by Jim Walker (Upper Room!!!)

Who Will Be Saved by Will Willimon (Abingdon)

 

Missional House Churches by J.D. Payne (Paternoster!!!)

 

I also gathered several more volumes of The Ancient Christian Commentary on Scriptures (Matthew and Romans) from Intervarsity Press.

 

Many will want to know that the Wesley Study Bible will be released in February 2009. This is an impressive edition that includes text notes from a large variety of practitioners and consultants (including me), connections to Wesley’s writings, and lots of good stuff. See Wesleystudybible@cokesbury.com.

 

Tom Bandy

Currently New Orleans

Leave a Reply