The Asianization of Christianity

Jonathan D. James is the executive president of Asia Evangelistic Fellowship International (AEFI). He is an adjunct lecturer at Edith Cowan University and senior lecturer at Sheridan Institute of Higher Education, both located in Perth, Australia. James is the author of several books, including McDonaldisation, Masala McGospel and Om Economics and Transnational Religious Movements: Faiths Flows.

This book offers theological reflections that provide a fresh perspective on Gods mission, showcasing the unique contributions of leaders from various parts of Asia. A notable feature of the book is its precise contextual-theological framework, which delves into Gods salvation plan, the incarnation of Christ, the inspiration of the Bible, and the evolution of mission from Jewish to non-Jewish contexts. Furthermore, The Asianization of Christianity goes beyond traditional approaches to cultural adaptation. It proposes a theological paradigm that fosters a Christlike community practicing contextualized faith. Dr. Jonathan James adeptly weaves together diverse experiences and multifaceted theological reflections, transcending the limitations of conventional contextual theology. This is a masterful work that will inspire and challenge readers in the coming decades about the authentic expression and sharing of the Christian faith in the diverse cultural settings of Asia. --Rev. Dr. Clement Chia, principal and director of community ministry, Singapore Bible College

The Asianization of Christianity: New Models for Mission is written by practitioners, not ivory-tower scholars removed from daily realities. The authors seek to appropriately baptize the cultural practices with biblical meaning, instead of burying or burning them. They offer proven principles and strategies for effective church-planting among the unreached peoples of Asia. All these occur without the spirit of imperialism, superiority, colonialism, or an imposition of false guilt. This gives believers the freedom to live biblically in their own context, to sing and dance to their own tunes for the glory of our Master. By reading the captivating examples of indigenization shared in the book, readers see the matchless creativity of God, and at the same time, acknowledge that different cultural groups are becoming acquainted with the unchanging gospel. I would highly recommend this book as a required text for all missionaries. Read, then adapt these amazing insights to your mission field. --Dr. Alvin Low, president, Assisting Churches and Theological Schools (ACTS International), Colorado Springs, Colorado

Global mission has been a recurring theme over the last two millennia. The face of the globe changed with the preaching of the gospel, beginning from the early apostles. In the last two centuries, as the gospel was preached in Africa and Asia, it was largely through notable missionaries who were either American or European. Consequently, Christians were mainly aware of the Western approach to the gospel. But then missiologists introduced the term "contextualization," and this was a turning point. So the gospel progressed from globalization to contextualization. Now we see in this book by Dr. Jonathan James a new phrase, "the Asianization of Christianity." Asianization is a broad term that encompasses outreach activities to different Asian nations, according to their values, practices, and thought patterns. This is not just a fashionable term but an apt one, because the book outlines a new paradigm of mission that goes beyond contextualization. This book may be one of the best things that could happen to the church in the twenty-first century. It is a compelling mission handbook backed up by solid research to build bridges to the cultures of Asia without compromising the essence of the gospel. I highly recommend this book to church leaders, students, and missionaries in Asia and throughout the world. --Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Damara, senior pastor, Grace Community Baptist Church, Andhra Pradesh, India