The Church from Every Tribe and Tongue

The book of revelation describes a church from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation glorifying the lamb that was slain. as the church expands in the majority world and christianity becomes an increasingly global faith, this vision is an increasingly visible reality. the insights found in the church from every tribe and tongue are not commonplace. written by nine theologians and biblical scholars from africa, asia, latin america and north america, each provide fresh perspectives surveying the most pressing ecclesiological issues in their various regions. the end result is a prescient analysis and constructive proposal detailing how the worldwide church can bear witness in a diverse and changing world.reviewthe majority world theological series has challenged us to remember that all theology is local and contextual and that the global church needs to hear the voices of theologians and leaders from all the churches if it is to effectively fulfill its mission and role in our globalized world. this volume, the church from every tribe and tongue: ecclesiology in the majority world, is particularly crucial because our view of the church impacts how we think about our mission in the world.globalization offers the promise of hearing more voices and providing platforms for those who have not had one in the past. but globalized markets usually favor theologians from the north and often overwhelm and effectively silence voices from the global south. the churches from the majority world lose when the only voices that are published are those translated from the north and the north loses because it ends up in an echo chamber where the voices of the dynamic and growing churches of the majority world cannot be heard.this collection of essays reflects the diversity of the churches around the world. many of these churches trace their roots to the west, but they have taken their specific contexts seriously and are seeking to develop communities of faith that reflect the gospel and address the realities of their social location. they are a reflection of the rich diversity that is the church of jesus christ around the world. as we listen to these voices and to each other, we can better learn how to be a part of god's mission in our globalized world.juan francisco martínez, phdprofessor of hispanic studies and pastoral leadership, fuller theological seminary, pasadena, ca, usathe book presents distinctive theological and biblical features of contextual development. each study is based on a specific theme close to the social and cultural context of the contributor. the list of contributors reveals a heavy emphasis on majority world scholars, and on the diversity of church traditions. the authors make a remarkable connection between the theology process and the real-life experience of god's people. this collective contextual theology, however, is also pertinent to the global church. furthermore, the book succeeds in being both biblically truthful and culturally applicable, emphasizing that the word of god is for the whole of humanity throughout its entire history and various cultures. each author represents contemporary rationale among an extensive selection of traditional academics. the book will inspire and challenge local and global church leaders and theologians.julie ma, phdassociate professor of missions and intercultural studies, undergraduate college of theology and ministry, oral roberts university, tulsa, ok, usathis volume, like its predecessors, aptly captures a plethora of perspectives on what it means to be church. it evokes different emotions as we encounter the familiar and the unfamiliar. the socio-political issues emanating from latin america and their ecclesiological ramifications are familiar to others elsewhere due to globalization. but we are jolted by the unfamiliar heartwrenching cry of palestinian christians over their land and the strange world of rites, ceremonies, and kinship of chi