Missiology as a theological and academic discipline

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29357/2521-179X.2018.21.14

Keywords:

mission, missiology, missiological research, practical theology, context, interdisciplinary studies, Bible, hermeneutics

Abstract

Missiology is a relatively young discipline in the faculty of theology and has often found its place in combination with other disciplines. The first part of the article offers an overview on missiology. Historically mission studies have been identified as pragmatical. But missiology has a history of academic research and claims an important role in theology. Today missiology offers different methodological approaches and a hermeneutical lens. But it also uses methods from other disciplines, especially as part of interdisciplinary studies. The second part of the article shows exemplary how missiology, on the one hand, applies methods, for example, from practical theology. But as one main ingredient in missiology, the contextual lens expands research in missiology beyond practical theology, as presented in the praxis cycle of Kritzinger. Missiology offers, in combination with other theological disciplines, similar possibilities and provides new perspectives in theological research.

Author Biography

Peter PENNER

Peter Penner was born in Kazakhstan and grew up in Germany. His doctoral dissertation as well as habilitation manuscript were written on interdisciplinary issues: New Testament studies and Christian mission. He has published books and articles in Russian, English and German.

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How to Cite

PENNER, Peter. 2018. “Missiology As a Theological and Academic Discipline”. Theological Reflections: Eastern European Journal of Theology, no. 21 (August):186-98. https://doi.org/10.29357/2521-179X.2018.21.14.