The Word Made Flesh: Towards an Incarnational Missiology (American Society of Missiology Dissertation Series)

Though incarnational mission, or 'embodying the message,' is a popular idea among Christians, it often comes under theological fire. Is it simply trying to follow the example of Jesus in our own strength? Is it arrogant for Christians to compare their mission with the incarnating mission of Jesus Christ? Is the idea of God-becoming-flesh itself sustainable today as a basis for Christian mission? This study is the first to define the meanings attached to incarnational mission across a variety of Christian traditions. It proposes a balanced approach to incarnational approach to mission involving the three dimensions of following Jesus in costly discipleship, conforming to the risen Christ, and co-operating in the universal dynamic of God's self-embodiment.