Rating: 
Summary: The best book on the Gospel and epistemology!
Review: As part of our Doctor of Ministry program at Asbury Theological Seminary, we were assigned this book to read. In my view,it was the best on the Gospel as it relates to Western culture. It speaks to some of the deeper issues of epistemology (how you know something is true) and culture. I highly recommend it!
Rating: 
Summary: A Bridge Between the Past and the Future.
Review: I consider Lesslie Newbigin a bridge between the past and the future. He is a British Churchman (intended gender reference) with one foot in the traditional (particularist) understanding of Church and one foot extended toward the future, but unsure of where to place that foot. He recognizes some shortcomings of the past, when the Church has been weak or downright wrong, offers solutions one on top of another and then, hedges on how to relate to persons of other religions. Often, he simply repackages in new language traditional approaches to contemporary problems. These approaches, at worse, are elitist and, at best naive. At one place, he writes that the tradition only needs to be restated in new terms which relate to the new experience of modern society (page 64). The strength of this book is found in his examples which offer practical approaches to difficult situations and in discussion points for dialogue between evangelists and social activists. The weaknesses include the longing for the past and its Christian primacy, his reluctance to celebrate the leaven of feminism within the Church, and diversity within society. Between the lines, I detect a person who would be at home with British elitist sentiments and who would give uncritical allegiance to the monarchy. I think he is a traditionalist trying to fine tune the Church without transforming it. A recurring theme is that Christianity is a way of understanding the human story. The Bible and Christianity are tools for comprehending the human situation. The Christian faith can bring meaning and hope to both individuals and to society. He says that Christianity is a lens for viewing life. He gives examples of telescopes and microscopes to reinforce this idea. I prefer an example using night vision goggles. The images do not need to be magnified, they just need to have more light shed upon them. Night vision goggles magnify the existing light so that the darkness can be penetrated and the situation enlightened. He writes that the purpose of the Bible is, "not to understand the text, but to understand the world through the text" (page 98). Actually, the examples point to a belief that Christianity can be helpful in seeking a deeper understanding of human existence. Newbigin believes that when we live our lives in light of the Christian faith, we will invite non-Christians to ask questions. He says that most of the great sermons in the Acts of the Apostles are in response to questions. Our challenge then is to live a life of faith that is meaningful and hopeful. This enriched life will cause non-Christians to inquire about our lifestyle and we can then witness to them by answering the questions for which they are seeking answers. He writes that, "the Christian points to Jesus as master-clue in the common search of humanity for salvation, and invites others to follow"(page 158). Newbigin claims that praise is the primary purpose of the Church. Evangelism and social justice are secondary issues. These two secondary issues, and also others, are the missions of the Church, not its purpose. This seems to be a reflection of the Westminster Catechism which states that the chief purpose of mortals is to know and glorify God. Newbigin has a good insight here and it can be helpful in bridging the gap between practitioners of evangelism and social justice. Newbigin knows that the Church does not have as much authority as it has had previously. He laments this and says that in any learning situation the teacher must have authority in order to teach. I do not necessarily accept this claim. I feel that a teacher needs no external power of authority if he or she is qualified and has something worthwhile to teach. Authority is of little use unless you know what you are talking about and the lesson is meaningful to the listener. When your message is meaningful, knowledgeable, and interesting, you do not need any additional authority. Another theme is the concept of facts, values, and truth. These are verified by our plausibility structures. The differences in what is fact, value or truth is based on which theory we use to observe them. All theories such as science, religion, or the social sciences all have their particular dogmas that determine what is real, true, or plausible. Concerning Christianity he writes, "The Church thus does not claim to possess absolute truth: it claims to know where to point for guidance (both in thought and in action) for the common search for truth." (page 163). How important is absolute truth? I find that in my personal everyday life that there is little if any need to be concerned with absolute truth; it has no more significance to me than absolute zero temperature. There are very few absolutes in the lives of ordinary persons. We live our lives in a pluralistic community which makes just about everything relative. Maybe what Newbigin is longing for is homogeneity in a heterogeneous world.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Look Into Christianity and Modern Culture
Review: I first read this book for my History and Theology of Mission class in college. Leslie Newbigin's book was a treat to read. He offers a very good look into the Gospel and modern culture and tries to offer a solution to the question of where Christianity fits in a pluralistic world. In an age where no one can claim to know the whole truth anymore, how can Christians go around proclaiming that we know the only way? In modern culture, this makes us seem arrogant and prideful and causes more and more modern people to view the Church in an increasingly harsh light.
However, evangelism can best be served, he argues, by the living witness of a community of Christians and by the activism of ordained ministers to help guide and teach this community. Jesus formed a community, he says, and the best way to witness is simply by being an active part of a flourishing community that praises, has truth, is involved with the neighborhood, where people are sustained to minister to the world, that is responsible, and that has hope. We are not called to defend the faith but instead to simply witness.
Another answer to the increasingly hostile view of many towards Christianity can be found in dialogue. New begin argues that true dialogue serves as a "starting point in our relation to people of other faiths." (180) All humans share the same need to answer the question "Why?" and he believes that dialogue can open the doors to a renewed sense of spirituality because it involves the telling of the story of Jesus. Of course to have true dialogue we must also listen to those we are conversing with, but instead of seeing this as something fearful that could possibly cause us to lose faith we should instead look upon it as an opportunity to check our own biases. No one is completely outside some kind of cultural background, he says, and to keep us from thinking that our own way is the only correct way and to keep us from truly becoming arrogant, he suggests that true dialogue can be used as a sort of diagnostic tool with which to clean the coloring from our lenses.
This book is an excellent apologetic for the twenty-first century; however it does have a few flaws. The first is his use of circular arguments. For example, in an early part of the book Newbigin's response to the attack on Christianity is to ask the unbeliever how he or she can know for sure that we are wrong because they have no outside frame of reference. No one can know the whole truth. However, what is stopping that from turning back on us? Can't one claim that we cannot know the whole truth either? It also raises some questions that it does not answer sufficiently, such as how we should deal with the problem of syncretism. Newbigin agrees with Rolland Allen that once a new church has a Bible, sacraments and apostolic tradition they should be left on their own to develop the gospel themselves. Yet earlier, on p. 96 he says, "...Jesus has been painlessly incorporated into the Hindu worldview. The foreign missionary knows that this is not the conversion of India but the co-option of Jesus, the domestication of the gospel into the Hindu worldview." How do we deal with problems like this? We had to discuss this in class because Newbigin does not provide a satisfactory answer.
This book is definitely a worthwhile buy for anyone interested in modern missiology. Newbigin lays out many good points and suggestions for how modern Christians can deal with witnessing their faith in the pluralistic world we inhabit. It does have several drawbacks, though, in that some parts of it are not fully developed or thought out. It would probably be best to read this at the same time with someone else you know in order to formulate a discussion on some of the issues Newbigin does not cover satisfactorily.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Look Into Christianity and Modern Culture
Review: I first read this book for my History and Theology of Mission class in college. Leslie Newbigin's book was a treat to read. He offers a very good look into the Gospel and modern culture and tries to offer a solution to the question of where Christianity fits in a pluralistic world. In an age where no one can claim to know the whole truth anymore, how can Christians go around proclaiming that we know the only way? In modern culture, this makes us seem arrogant and prideful and causes more and more modern people to view the Church in an increasingly harsh light.
However, evangelism can best be served, he argues, by the living witness of a community of Christians and by the activism of ordained ministers to help guide and teach this community. Jesus formed a community, he says, and the best way to witness is simply by being an active part of a flourishing community that praises, has truth, is involved with the neighborhood, where people are sustained to minister to the world, that is responsible, and that has hope. We are not called to defend the faith but instead to simply witness.
Another answer to the increasingly hostile view of many towards Christianity can be found in dialogue. New begin argues that true dialogue serves as a "starting point in our relation to people of other faiths." (180) All humans share the same need to answer the question "Why?" and he believes that dialogue can open the doors to a renewed sense of spirituality because it involves the telling of the story of Jesus. Of course to have true dialogue we must also listen to those we are conversing with, but instead of seeing this as something fearful that could possibly cause us to lose faith we should instead look upon it as an opportunity to check our own biases. No one is completely outside some kind of cultural background, he says, and to keep us from thinking that our own way is the only correct way and to keep us from truly becoming arrogant, he suggests that true dialogue can be used as a sort of diagnostic tool with which to clean the coloring from our lenses.
This book is an excellent apologetic for the twenty-first century; however it does have a few flaws. The first is his use of circular arguments. For example, in an early part of the book Newbigin's response to the attack on Christianity is to ask the unbeliever how he or she can know for sure that we are wrong because they have no outside frame of reference. No one can know the whole truth. However, what is stopping that from turning back on us? Can't one claim that we cannot know the whole truth either? It also raises some questions that it does not answer sufficiently, such as how we should deal with the problem of syncretism. Newbigin agrees with Rolland Allen that once a new church has a Bible, sacraments and apostolic tradition they should be left on their own to develop the gospel themselves. Yet earlier, on p. 96 he says, "...Jesus has been painlessly incorporated into the Hindu worldview. The foreign missionary knows that this is not the conversion of India but the co-option of Jesus, the domestication of the gospel into the Hindu worldview." How do we deal with problems like this? We had to discuss this in class because Newbigin does not provide a satisfactory answer.
This book is definitely a worthwhile buy for anyone interested in modern missiology. Newbigin lays out many good points and suggestions for how modern Christians can deal with witnessing their faith in the pluralistic world we inhabit. It does have several drawbacks, though, in that some parts of it are not fully developed or thought out. It would probably be best to read this at the same time with someone else you know in order to formulate a discussion on some of the issues Newbigin does not cover satisfactorily.
Rating: 
Summary: Do not buy it.
Review: If you don't want to change the world with the Gospel read this book. It is theory. What is more that it is not good theory. It falls short of "I am the way, the truth, and the life" That is the bottom line.
Rating:
Summary: Extrremely relevant to today's society; answers many questio
Review: In our multi-cultural world were religion is slipping into being viewed as a BELIEF versus science and "best-of world morality" being viewed as undeniable FACT, this book very effectively challenges the reader to re-think society's steamroller mentality and re-affirming basic philosophy of truth and certainty in the truth. It is an extremely valuable book, especially for those raised in a semi-Christian world and now having questions about which path to take and how to think about the universe and life in general.I highly recommend reading this gripping book, written by a novel person.
Rating:
Summary: A Penetrating Analysis of Gospel and Culture
Review: Lesslie Newbigin has written a penetrating analysis of the gospel in our western, pluralistic society. Although this book is over a decade old, it will remain a standard on issues of gospel, culture, contextualization, and postmodernism for quite some time. Newbigin presents with such clarity the pitfalls of many assumptions from Enlightenment and contemporary postmodern thought. With a "baptized" postmodern approach, Newbigin urges for the harmony of private and public life and thought. The church's application of this in faith and practice will be her most effective apologetic for the 21st century. The author makes a strong case that no one (including scientists or historians) can completely stand outside the influences of their particular culture and tradition. All understanding,whether religious/moral values or scientific information, involves faith and tradition. Other helpful aspects of the book reveal that we need a more wholistic approach to understand ourselves and the goal of history. Christ is the Truth embodied who is the universal clue for all men and women from every culture and age to break through this subjectivity to find their destiny and hope in this life and beyond. Newbigin beckons the church to continually reshape the unchanging gospel message in a culturally relevant way in order to most effectively impact the unreached locally and globally. We must clear away all stumbling blocks to Christ, except for one. The stumbling block of the cross. This attitude demands a willingness to reform traditions to connect with changing perspectives in society. My copy of this book is well marked and is an oft used resource for my ministry.
Rating:
Summary: Great Survey of PoMo Situation and What the Church Must Do
Review: Lesslie Newbigin is one of the best thinkers on the subject of how the church must respond to the new context of post-modernity. He surveys the landscape well and integrates the widely dispursed factors and brings it all to the practical level of congregational ministry. If the practical is in the form of a challenge and not specific action to take, it's only a loss to the reader because Newbigin, who died in February 1998, will not write a follow up. This book is a must read.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book
Review: Lesslie Newbigin offers an insightful look at Christianity today in his book, Gospel in a Pluralist Society. Serving as a Christian missionary in India for almost 40 years has given this author a unique and authoritative perspective on the Christian's response to a society full of so many different faith systems. He is ready and willing to ask the tough questions that Christians are afraid to ask. He turns the reader to the logic of mission and election, the authority of the gospel, the difference between knowing and believing, and finally the call of the church to be the vessel of the Christian mission. Understanding that Christians today have lost their confidence to boldly proclaim the uniqueness and authority of Christ, he calls the Church to remember its calling in light of a pluralistic culture. Rather than focusing on apologetics or forcing adherents of other faiths to "see the light," Newbigin calls for open dialogue between Christians and people who work within other faith systems or have no religion at all. The focus, then, is not on evangelism, but on developing open, trusting conversation where the Christian can boldly and lovingly proclaim the gospel. Once engaged in such conversation, the Christian can follow Newbigin's example of looking at Christianity in history. On the premise that God exists, He has revealed himself through creation and history. Christ is the unique revelation of God in history, and it is faith in this revelation, which lays the foundation for Christianity. This is a book, which requires slow and steady reading to grasp the depth and insight within it. But, even in a quick reading, it is both challenging and encouraging for the Christian living in a society full of so many other religions.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book
Review: Lesslie Newbigin offers an insightful look at Christianity today in his book, Gospel in a Pluralist Society. Serving as a Christian missionary in India for almost 40 years has given this author a unique and authoritative perspective on the Christian's response to a society full of so many different faith systems. He is ready and willing to ask the tough questions that Christians are afraid to ask. He turns the reader to the logic of mission and election, the authority of the gospel, the difference between knowing and believing, and finally the call of the church to be the vessel of the Christian mission. Understanding that Christians today have lost their confidence to boldly proclaim the uniqueness and authority of Christ, he calls the Church to remember its calling in light of a pluralistic culture. Rather than focusing on apologetics or forcing adherents of other faiths to "see the light," Newbigin calls for open dialogue between Christians and people who work within other faith systems or have no religion at all. The focus, then, is not on evangelism, but on developing open, trusting conversation where the Christian can boldly and lovingly proclaim the gospel. Once engaged in such conversation, the Christian can follow Newbigin's example of looking at Christianity in history. On the premise that God exists, He has revealed himself through creation and history. Christ is the unique revelation of God in history, and it is faith in this revelation, which lays the foundation for Christianity. This is a book, which requires slow and steady reading to grasp the depth and insight within it. But, even in a quick reading, it is both challenging and encouraging for the Christian living in a society full of so many other religions.
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