SPIRIT-SHAPED MISSION
(a holistic charismatic theology)
By Andrew Lord. Paternoster. 142 pages. £12.99
ISBN 1 84227 264 0
This book reflects in a rather technical-theological way on the theology of mission, from a charismatic point of view.
After summarising current thinking about mission in the charismatic and Pentecostal worlds, Lord proposes the beginnings of his own charismatic theology of mission. It is holistic (not just concerned with saving souls), experiential, and big on community and spirituality. His heroes are John Wimber, David Pytches, David Bosch, and to a lesser extent Clark Pinnock and Jurgen Moltmann.
On page 50 he summarises what he is trying to do in a way that gives you a flavour of the whole. From our perspective, it is interesting to note how the tensions evident at Lausanne II in understanding the work of the Holy Spirit in mission, in searching for a holistic approach to mission and in understanding contextualisation are also evident in the Pentecostal and charismatic theologies of mission we have been outlining. This is suggestive of the continuing need to develop an underlying theological basis from which some of these tensions can be better resolved. This book begins such a development by setting off from a charismatic rather than an evangelical starting point, allowing for the obvious overlap in these terms.
Unfortunately, that is one of the clearest and most succinct paragraphs in the book. And in terms of content, I regret to say that despite the use of evangelical and biblical terminology, Lord seems to be moving in a mystical, almost pantheistic, liberal and universalistic direction. I cannot recommend it.
Christopher Bennett,
Minister of Wilton Community Church, Muswell Hill, London, and Lecturer in New Testament and Greek at London Theological Seminary
