In this eye-opening episode, we sit down with E.D. Burns, author of Karmic Christianity: Finding Peace by Faith Alone, to dissect the pitfalls of blending karma with Christian faith. Burns warns missionaries against the trap of treadmill living, where the focus shifts from Godās grace to human effort, leading to ministry burnout and a distortedContinue reading “What Is Karmic Christianity? An Interview With E.D. Burns”
Tag Archives: syncretism
The Dangers of Syncretism and How to Avoid It
Do rapid disciple-making techniques run the risk of welcoming syncretism into new churches by failing to teach new converts to forsake their former idols? Itās no light question, with no easy answersābut there is hope. Scripture is not silent. This week, Scott and Alex discuss āThe Potential Risk of Syncretism in Church Planting Movementsā byContinue reading “The Dangers of Syncretism and How to Avoid It”
Dan Strange: A Theology of Religions and The Southgate Fellowship
We know missionaries should have a theology of God, the Bible, and salvationābut what does it mean to develop a theology of religions? And what are the bigger problems plaguing evangelical missiology? Dr. Dan Strange, theological director at Oak Hill College and co-chair of The Southgate Fellowship, joins us from London to discuss his newContinue reading “Dan Strange: A Theology of Religions and The Southgate Fellowship”
Should We āFollow the Scienceā in Missions?
Everyone says we should āfollow the science.ā How should we judge our results in missions?
Conrad Mbewe: Combatting Prosperity Teaching in Africa
Christianity isnāt spreading into Africa; itās already there. But as our guest this week shares, it is afflicted by the problem of syncretism, hyper-charismatic influence, so-called prosperity āgospelā teaching, and weak theology. How can pastors and missionaries confront these threats and help the African church develop theologies that are rich, sound, and historically rooted? ConradContinue reading “Conrad Mbewe: Combatting Prosperity Teaching in Africa”
John Morgan: Animism, Syncretism, and Witchcraft in West Africa
When the gospel enters a new placeālike Togo in West Africaāthose who hear the message have a tendency to interpret it through their worldview lens. This week, John Morgan shares the sobering results of his studies relating to how professing believers in this African nation are still wrestling with their traditional views of animism, witchcraft,Continue reading “John Morgan: Animism, Syncretism, and Witchcraft in West Africa”
How Much Contextualization Is Too Much?
Today in missions thereās a lot of talk about contextualization. The āC scaleā developed by John Travis makes a case for so-called insider movementsāprofessing believers in the Islamic world who follow Jesus, yet remain culturally and religiously Muslim. Is that biblical? How can we adapt the gospel to new culturesāand how far is too far?