Ross Langmead, Professor of Missiology and Director, School of
World Mission, Parkville, Australia.
E-mail:
rlangmead@whitley.unimelb.edu.au
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Abstract
Transformed Relationships:
Reconciliation as the Central
Model for Mission
This paper argues that reconciliation can function as
an integrating metaphor (or model) for Christian mission. The mission of God is
for transformed relationships in all dimensions—between humans and God, between
humans, and between humans and creation.
Reconciliation is all about setting things right. The
picture it evokes when used literally is of two people shaking hands or hugging
after sorting out a conflict. Used metaphorically in the theology of mission it
beautifully covers and draws together a wide range of ideas which, it is argued,
are simply facets of the one mission of God for reconciliation: cosmic
reconciliation, shalom, the meaning of the cross, the psychological effects of
conversion, the work of the Holy Spirit, the overcoming of barriers between
Christians, the work of the church in the world, peacemaking, movements towards
ethnic reconciliation and the renewal of ecological balances between humanity
and its natural environment.
The paper analyses the role of metaphor in theology. It
considers biblical terms related to reconciliation, such as sacrificial
atonement, shalom, justice, peacemaking. It then considers five dimensions of Christian mission
to illustrate the integrative power of reconciliation as a governing metaphor
for mission: conversion as reconciliation, international peacemaking,
reconciliation between indigenous and non-indigenous peoples, reconciliation
between Christians and reconciliation with creation.