Bryan Stone, Evangelism After Christendom: The Theology and Practice of Christian Witness. Brazos Press, 2007.
Referenced in: Theology and Practice of Evangelism – Emergent
LifeandLeadership.com Summary
This is a very weighty, academic work on the theology of evangelism from a Missional/Missio Dei perspective, but has some unique features that may help practicing church leaders that are less theologically informed. First, it looks at the roots of N.T. evangelism in the calling forth of O.T. Israel. It shows the developing theme of evangelism from Israel, through the ministry of Jesus, and then through the apostles and the genesis of the church. Second, it traces the “subversion” of this biblical emphasis through Constantine and modernity. Third, it describes the evangelistic significance of the church, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the nature of conversion.
Those unfamiliar with the theological issues surrounding evangelism will find this book difficult, if not unnecessary, to navigate. This does not minimize its importance, but simply means not everyone can appreciate its contents.
From the Publisher
Most people think of evangelism as something an individual does—one person talking to one or more other people about the gospel. Bryan Stone, however, argues that evangelism is the duty and call of the entire church as a body of witness. Evangelism after Christendom explores what it means to understand and put to work evangelism as a rich practice of the church, grounding evangelism in the stories of Israel, Jesus, and the Apostles. This thorough treatment is marked by an astute sensitivity to the ways in which Christian evangelism has in the past been practiced violently, intentionally or unintentionally. Pointing to exemplars both Protestant and Catholic, Stone shows pastors, professors, and students how evangelism can work nonviolently.
About the Author
Bryan Stone (PhD, Southern Methodist University) is E. Stanley Jones Professor of Evangelism at the Boston University School of Theology, where he is also cofounder and codirector of the Center for Practical Theology and founder of the Center for Congregational Research and Development. Stone has written books such as Faith and Film: Theological Themes at the Cinema, and served as editor for the Journal of Christian Theological Research.
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