The In-Between People: A Reading of David Bosch Through the Lens of Mission History and Contemporary Challenges in Ethiopia

Synopsis: In the midst of partial competing and often hostile forms of human solidarity David Bosch challenged the church to be the Alternative Community called to live in the in-between of various opposing socio-political economic and ecclesiastical polarities. Girma Bekele explores and renews that call in the context of Ethiopia. Acute poverty and the lingering question of the balance between ethnic distinctiveness and national unity together constitute a two-edged challenge to Christian identity. Constructive dialogue that fosters unity is intrinsic to effective response to the plight of the poor. This means a turning away from institutional self-preservation towards a contextually relevant mission that crosses all human-made frontiers. Taking Ethiopia as the immediate context Dr. Bekele offers important insight to the church in the majority world and beyond. Endorsements: This is a remarkable book vast in scope and rich in content. It offers a developed model of the interaction of the general and the particular. On the one hand it is a comprehensive study of the great encyclopedic mission theologian of the twentieth century David Bosch; on the other a sensitive interpretation of Ethiopian Christianity past and present in both its Orthodox and Protestant-Evangelical expressions and of what Bosch would have called their paradigm shifts. These two themes are kept in constant and illuminating dialogue and their wide relevance for todays worldwide church is made evident. A book not to be missed. -Andrew F Walls University of Edinburgh and Liverpool Hope University In this thought provoking and courageous work Dr. Bekele critically and creatively reads David Bosch and his socio-political and ecclesiastical context to address pressing missiological issues particularly in Ethiopia. It persuasively calls Christians everywhere to be the in-between people. Well presented! -Kevin Livingston Associate Professor of Pastoral Ministry Tyndale Seminary Girma Bekeles work combines the commitments and sensitivities of an evangelist an ecumenist and a social activist. His theology is missiological holism at its best and I warmly commend it. -George Sumner Principal and Helliwell Professor of World Mission Wycliffe College University of Toronto If you have a heart for Africa and its suffering people this book will inspire you with Christian hope . . . Dr. Bekele understands the history and the tremendous challenge for the Ethiopian church in the twenty-first century well and he engages it with Christian hope and practical experience. This is how theology should grow out of a real and living context! -Charles J. Fensham Associate Professor of Systematic Theology Knox College University of Toronto This book offers a startling glimpse into a world alien to most Western Christians: the suffering church of Christ in Ethiopia . . . Employing the missional theology of David Bosch Grima Bekele lays out an eloquent vision of the church as witness to Christ and agent of reconciliation. A fascinating and important work! -Joseph Mangina Associate Professor of Systematic Theology Wycliffe College University of Toronto Author Biography: Girma Bekele Adjunct Professor of Missions and Development Studies at Wycliffe College in the University of Toronto is a Missions and Church Leadership Consultant.