a contextual missiology of the spirit - eTheses Repository ...

Self-awareness of the tribal community is another issue which promotes well-
being in society. Miller and Yamamori observe that ‘one thing that keeps poor
people stuck in their circumstances is their lack of a sense of self-worth.’ 210
Therefore, Pentecostal participation enables people to improve their self-image as
people coming to Pentecostal faith have been given the freedom to participate
fully in the community. As Miller and Yamamori argue, Pentecostal theology
deals with the issue of ‘personal self-worth,’ and in Pentecostal community, an
individual is ‘supported by a vibrant and expressive community of believers’ and
so finds ‘a new identity, a group identity, as worshippers become “one with
Christ.”’ 211 The Christian metaphor of the imago Dei, that every human being is
created in the image of God can serve as a powerful resource for a public mission
theology.
Ecological mission is another area of national interest, and to a limited extent,
Pentecostals in Rajasthan participate in such enterprises. For example, in 2002 the
staff and students of FBC joined the government effort to plant trees. As a result a
number of trees were planted by the FBC students in the vicinity of the campus.
However, a specifically Pentecostal Eco-theology is not yet developed to promote
this practice. M.L. Daneel’s recent work in Africa points to ways in which this
important work can be theologised. 212 Since it is one of the most urgent issues in
the contemporary context, efforts should be made by Pentecostals to help the
210 Miller and Yamamori, Global Pentecostalism, 169.
211 Miller and Yamamori, Global Pentecostalism, 169.
212 See M.L. Daneel, African Earthkeepers: Environmental Mission and Liberation in Christian
Perspective, vol. 2 (Pretoria: University of South Africa, 1999). In this volume the author
discusses various ways (including ‘earth-healing rituals’ like ‘tree-planting Eucharists’) in which
the African Independent Churches (AIC) in Zimbawe, responded to the environmental havoc in
the nation. He attempts to present a spontaneously enacted theology of AIC within the broader
framework of eco-theology.
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