Protestants, Catholics, and Global Christianity: An Interview with Mark Noll

September 08, 2010 by Timothy Dalrymple

Continued from Page 3

Where that does not exist -- Singapore, many places in Canada, some other parts of the world where that past is not there -- it's a very different situation. The history is quite important for understanding the quality and the character of contemporary connections.

Lastly, I want to ask about the encounter of Christianity with other religions. Among evangelicals, even, we have seen some very encouraging signs about building relationships with members of other religious communities, rather than standing at a distance and throwing the gospel from afar. On the other hand, there are considerable tensions, in particular between Christianity and Islam. When you look at America's mission efforts today, are there any best practice models you have seen of ways in which missionaries and mission organizations live among, relate to, interact with other religious organizations and communities?

What I am aware of is many more efforts to persuade, rather than coerce. Many more efforts to learn the local cultures and languages as an integral part of spreading the gospel. Many more efforts to think in long-term categories about aspects of proselytization and evangelization.

Inter-religious contact is just set up for many issues. There are many bad practices that continue to exist, but I think there is, in many Christian groups, a lot more sensitivity, and an encouraging combination of faithfulness to the gospel and respect for other people.

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9/8/2010 4:00:00 AM

Future of Religion

Conversion

Globalization

Christianity

Islam

Evangelicalism

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About Timothy Dalrymple

Timothy Dalrymple is the CEO and Chief Creative Officer of Polymath Innovations, a strategic storytelling agency that advances the good with visionary organizations and brands. He leads a unique team of communicators from around North America and across the creative spectrum, serving mission-driven businesses and nonprofits who need a partner to amplify their voice and good works. Once a world-class gymnast whose career ended with a broken neck, Tim channeled his passions for faith and storytelling into his role as VP of Business Development for Patheos, helping to launch and grow the network into the world's largest religion website. He holds a Ph.D. in Religion from Harvard's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Tim blogs at Philosophical Fragments.

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