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

elievers. They refer to the example of David, who attempted to take a census of
the people of Israel with dire consequences (2 Samuel 24:1-17). 70 Thus, their fear
of the BJP government as well their understanding of the Bible discourages them
from providing any statistical data.
Moreover, the sudden death of Thomas Mathews after the commencement of my
study was a real set-back. 71 Being the most prominent and the most effective
Pentecostal missionary in Rajasthan, he was one of the prime sources of
information. Nevertheless, my association with him since 1991 gave me ample
opportunities to interact with him, and this has contributed significantly to this
study.
1.5. Methodology and Procedure
The present study is a missiological investigation which endeavours to integrate
research from various fields in order to provide a comprehensive perspective on a
complex issue. Many contemporary missiologists have explored the
interdisciplinary nature of missiology. The Catholic missiologist, Francis Anekwe
Oborji, argues that ‘Mission is an intersubjective reality in which missiologists,
missionaries and the people among whom they labour are all partners.’ 72 In their
introduction, the editors of Missiology: An Ecumenical Introduction affirm that
70
In this passage, the Lord’s anger is aroused against David when he ordered for a census to be
taken in Israel, and consequently the Lord sent a plague on them. However, there are examples in
the Bible where Moses and other leaders of Israel took a census of people in accordance with the
commandment of the Lord (see Numbers 1:1-3, 26:1-4). All the Bible verses in this study are
taken from NKJV unless otherwise stated.
71
Thomas Mathews died on 24 November 2005.
72
Francis Anekwe Oborji, Concepts of Mission: The Evolution of Contemporary Missiology
(Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 2006), 54.
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