Soul to Soul:
Christian Mission and the Future of Europe

Issue 18 Editor: Rob Hay

Just over a year ago in Issue 11 of Encounters (April 06) we asked the question "Can the South save the West?" – Jonathan Ingleby presented this very thought provoking challenge in the 2006 Redcliffe Lectures in World Christianity.  This year the lectures were given by Darrell Jackson – Centre Director of the new European Research Centre which will launch at Redcliffe in the Autumn.  Darrell begins by asking if Europe has lost it's soul; indeed he asks if evangelicals, including the World Evangelical Alliance, have unwittingly contributed to mission losing its soul.

He then moves on to explore the evangelical contribution to mission in Europe in both the past and present and concludes with some radical suggestions for their future contribution.

Darrell's talks are available as a download that can be listened to at your computer or transferred to a portable mp3 player.  Darrell has also provided us with one-page summaries of each lecture which you can find on the menu opposite.

In written form we have a fascinating and well researched profile on Irish Catholicism from John Tuttlebee who has worked in the Republic of Ireland for many years with European Christian Mission.  We also have our usual book reviews.

Look out for the next issue on August 1st for a special holiday issue with some material for you to ponder and be refreshed by whilst you are away. 

• Bush, Babushkas and Barroso: has mission in Europe lost its soul?
  How do competing political assessments of Europe influence and inform the theology and practice of mission in the region?
  
  Lecture one - part one  (mp3, 38:25, 8.79MB)
  Lecture one - part two  (mp3, 1:00:14, 13.7MB)
  
  
  
• Popes, Patriarchs and Protestants: is Evangelical missiology any closer to finding Europe's missing soul?
  How is the practice of mission in Europe by Protestant, Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches influenced by their theologians? Are the Evangelical churches of Europe any closer to offering a more appropriate response to the Continent's spiritual climate?
  
  Lecture two - part one (mp3, 53:14, 12.1MB)
  Lecture two - part two (mp3, 48:21, 11.0MB)  
  
  
  
• Country Profile:  Is Irish Catholocism Dying?
  (John Tuttlebee, 2934 words) 
  
  
  
• Book Review 1:  Jesus Says Go.
  (by Robin Wells; Lion Hudson)
  
  
• Book Review 2:  Eat This Book: The Art of Spiritual Reading.
  (by Eugene Peterson; Hodder & Stoughton)
  

Read what others are thinking on the Discussion Board.  Use the Voice your comments form to add to the debate.

Please Note: The views expressed in articles are those of their authors
and do not necessarily reflect the position of Redcliffe College.