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

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such as evangelism, social mission and engagement with people <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r faiths.<br />

Examples discussed from <strong>the</strong> early Christian community illustrate <strong>the</strong> place <strong>of</strong><br />

Spirit experiences in a <strong>contextual</strong> <strong>missiology</strong>. When <strong>the</strong> early community was<br />

confronted by various situations, both in <strong>the</strong>ir life within <strong>the</strong> community and in<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir mission outside <strong>the</strong>ir <strong>spirit</strong>ual experiences had a pivotal role in shaping <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

mission <strong>the</strong>ology and practice. Although biblical parallels for all <strong>the</strong> contemporary<br />

situations may not be possible, <strong>the</strong> similar experiences <strong>of</strong> Pentecostals in<br />

Rajasthan also call for a <strong>contextual</strong> <strong>missiology</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Spirit.<br />

A <strong>contextual</strong> Pentecostal <strong>missiology</strong>, as <strong>the</strong> above discussion shows, has certain<br />

distinctive features. It has <strong>the</strong> potential to uphold <strong>the</strong> Pentecostal tradition <strong>of</strong><br />

‘Spirit-emphasis’ on <strong>the</strong> one hand, and on <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r, it is dynamic enough to deal<br />

with <strong>the</strong> challenging and changing situations. As <strong>contextual</strong> <strong>missiology</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Spirit has a glocal nature, it can deal with <strong>the</strong> global-local tension more<br />

effectively. It is capable <strong>of</strong> promoting ecumenicity on various levels. A <strong>contextual</strong><br />

<strong>missiology</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Spirit empowers people to engage with <strong>the</strong> <strong>spirit</strong>ual as well as<br />

socio-political context aiming at transformation. As it is concerned with <strong>the</strong> well-<br />

being <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> community, it has <strong>the</strong> potential to become a public <strong>the</strong>ology.<br />

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