This book explores the evaluations made by religious groups and individuals about the potential of public spheres for religious practice, focussing upon public religion in societies of the Asia-Pacific. Across this region we observe a resurgence of religious traditions, increasing mediatisation of religion, and an inward turn toward conservative political programs. Against this background, relations between religion and public domains are critical influences upon civic inclusion and equal citizenship. In contrast to conventional approaches to religion and public life that focus upon the public potential of religion, chapter authors focus upon the religious potential of public domains, taking the perspectives of religious actors as their points of departure. The book’s chapters capture the dynamic nexus between religion and politics in Asia-Pacific public spheres: why would Indonesia’s minority Shiite movement strive to develop a public profile in a national environment where it attracts widespread disapproval? What constructions of religion and public space make Banaras so unconducive to female mobility? Why does the success of the social services wing of Australia’s Salvation Army create anxiety for its religious wing? What is at stake for followers of Australian Spiritualism when they attend spirit-medium sessions? How are popular Islamic preachers vulnerable to action from Indonesia’s civil society organisations? What do media representations of Hajj pilgrimage by Indonesia’s presidents have in common with middle-class representations of gender? Why did Indonesia’s traditionalist Muslim intellectuals draw heavily upon the ideas of Jürgen Habermas in their theorisations of state-society relations? An epilogue by the Indonesian neo-traditionalist intellectual Ahmad Baso, the most prominent theorist of state-religion relations in that country, overviews the issues against the background of that country’s religious and political histories.

This book explores the evaluations made by religious groups and individuals about the potential of public spheres for religious practice, focussing upon public religion in societies of the Asia-Pacific. Across this region we observe a resurgence of religious traditions, increasing mediatisation of religion, and an inward turn toward conservative political programs. Against this background, relations between religion and public domains are critical influences upon civic inclusion and equal citizenship. In contrast to conventional approaches to religion and public life that focus upon the public potential of religion, chapter authors focus upon the religious potential of public domains, taking the perspectives of religious actors as their points of departure. The book’s chapters capture the dynamic nexus between religion and politics in Asia-Pacific public spheres: why would Indonesia’s minority Shiite movement strive to develop a public profile in a national environment where it attracts widespread disapproval? What constructions of religion and public space make Banaras so unconducive to female mobility? Why does the success of the social services wing of Australia’s Salvation Army create anxiety for its religious wing? What is at stake for followers of Australian Spiritualism when they attend spirit-medium sessions? How are popular Islamic preachers vulnerable to action from Indonesia’s civil society organisations? What do media representations of Hajj pilgrimage by Indonesia’s presidents have in common with middle-class representations of gender? Why did Indonesia’s traditionalist Muslim intellectuals draw heavily upon the ideas of Jürgen Habermas in their theorisations of state-society relations? An epilogue by the Indonesian neo-traditionalist intellectual Ahmad Baso, the most prominent theorist of state-religion relations in that country, overviews the issues against the background of that country’s religious and political histories.

Asian American Christianity is one of the fastest-growing forms of American Christianity, and it has already proven to be one of the richest and most innovative movements in North American religion. With a deep understanding of their roots in classic Christianity as well as the diversity of Asian culture, these theological voices have contributed some of the freshest and most provocative work of recent decades. This volume brings together women who are searching for authentic Christian dialogue in a world of hybridity and changing context, and it represents one of the most significant areas of growth and vitality in contemporary Christianity.

This book is a series of essays in honor of John and Bea Carter--John Carter being one of the most influential educators in this generation of the world-wide Assemblies of God movement. This wide influence is reflected in the contributing authors, all of whom have extensive ministry experience in the Majority World. The articles themselves reflect great variety in approaches to theological education; historical, theological, pneumatological, missiological, psychological and philosophical, etc. All of these are important in cross-cultural theological education in the 21st century.

Christs instruction to his disciples was to witness to others about his plan of salvation. This may be relatively easy when it involves our contemporaries and peers. But when we are working with people from a different cultural background or belief system, it can be difficult or seemingly impossible. In Worldviews and Christian Education, editors W. A. Shipton, E. Coetzee, and R. Takeuchi have brought together works by experts in cross-cultural religious education. The authors and editors have a wealth of personal experience in presenting the gospel to individuals with various worldviews that differ greatly from those held by Christians who take the Bible as authoritative. They focus on the beliefs and issues associated with witnessing to seekers for truth coming from backgrounds as diverse as animism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, Marxism, Taoism, and postmodernism. The emphasis is on educational settings, but the sensitivities highlighted and lessons learned are applicable to situations outside this area. Leaders, pastors, teachers, and laypersons will find valuable conceptual models, practical ideas, and bibliographic references presented here. Worldviews and Christian Education challenges all readers to be faithful to the biblical worldview and to approach everyone with sensitivity, so that, like the apostle Paul, they may reach some.

The end times are upon us and since God is more concerned about redemption than judgment He is calling all people, especially the church, to return to Him in first love. We have been given a commandment to love God with all of our mind, soul, will, and strength, and to love others as we love ourselves. Unfortunately, such love is lacking. Many are crying out for revival, but unless there is a turning back to God with sincere repentance, there will be no substance for the fires of revival to be ignited during these end times. Gods love, as does all love, demands a response and He is waiting for your response. When love is returned wholeheartedly, who knows if God will rend the heavens and come down in power, thus ushering in a revival that will blaze through our churches and nations bringing the much needed healing to our lands.