Against the Tide: Mission Amidst the Global Currents of Secularization
Ebook
Overview
With increased globalization and modernization reaching into the furthest corners of the earth also comes the influence of secularization. These three tides of influence impact traditional religious beliefs, practices, and institutions in significant ways. Some modernizing societies see religion on the decline, while others find it thriving in surprising ways. This collection of essays presents the opportunities and the challenges of secularization for the mission of the Church, with hopeful signs and reassurance that God is still at work in a secularizing world. Readers will find both analysis and guidance that will assist the Church in an informed, missional engagement with secularization in a variety of contexts—starting with North America, then Europe, Asia, and Africa. Each local church and mission organization must discern the appropriate missional response for evangelism, discipleship, congregational life, and social involvement. To be Against the Tide means regaining your voice, as a church on mission, informed by your context and inspired by the responses of others in theirs.
INTRODUCTION-Craig Ott
GLOSSARY: Key Terms Related to Secularization
CHAPTER 1—Secularization, Multiple Modernities, and Religion-Harold A. Netland
CHAPTER 2—Embracing Plurality: The Opportunity of Secularization-Shawn P. Behan
CHAPTER 3—Engaging the Secular Mind: An Urgent Call to the American Church-Raphael Anzenberger
CHAPTER 4—Evangelism in a Secular Age: Complexities and Opportunities-Jay Moon
CHAPTER 5—Against the Tide: Churches Reaching Emerging Adult “Nones” and “Dones” in Secularizing North America-Beth Seversen
CHAPTER 6—(Re)Connecting with Secular Society-Steve Thrall
CHAPTER 7—Germany’s Refugee Response: Implications for Ministry in a Secularized World-Steven B. Kern
CHAPTER 8—Mission and Evangelism in the Desecularizing World of the Russian Federation-Marc T. Canner
CHAPTER 9—A Chinese Modernity: What Feng Shui, Ancestors, Mazu, Buddhism, and Mao Can Teach Us about a Different Kind of Secularization-Tony Chih-Chao Chuang
CHAPTER 10—Toward What End?: An Evaluation of Religion in Liberia’s Public Sphere and Its Implications for Evangelism and Discipleship-Boye-Nelson Kiamu
Contributors
This edited volume addresses a very timely topic and, thankfully, includes international perspectives. Most of us are aware that our world has changed socially, politically, and culturally, but we might find ourselves overwhelmed by the challenge of engaging effectively in this transformed environment. Against the Tide helps us understand what is happening and how we might “do mission” in this disruptive milieu.
-Rich Starcher, PhD, editor-in-chief, Missiology: An International Review; professor of intercultural education & missiology, Biola University
- Title: Against the Tide: Mission Amidst the Global Currents of Secularization
- Authors: W. Jay Moon, Craig Ott
- Series: Evangelical Missiological Society Series
- Publisher: William Carey Publishing
- Print Publication Date: 2019
- Logos Release Date: 2023
- Pages: 228
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBNs: 9781645081791, 9781645081760, 1645081761, 1645081796
- Resource ID: LLS:9781645081791
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2025-06-17T07:51:23Z
W. Jay Moon (PhD Asbury Theological Seminary) is professor of church planting and evangelism at Asbury Theological Seminary where he is also director of the Office of Faith, Work, and Economics. He has authored and edited several books including Intercultural Discipleship: Learning from Global Approaches to Spiritual Formation.
Craig Ott (PhD Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is professor of mission and intercultural studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, where he also directs the PhD program in intercultural studies. He is author and editor of numerous publications including most recently The Church on Mission: A Biblical Vision for Transformation among All People.