Rethinking Missio Dei among Evangelical Churches in an Eastern European Orthodox Context

Dr Ubeivolc’s book is an excellent introduction to mission theology and practice in the Eastern European Post-Soviet setting. Based on solid academic reflections and expert knowledge of the evangelistic practices of Christian churches encountering each other in mission, the book offers invaluable insights into the missiological conceptualizations and paradigms of mission engagement in a culturally Orthodox context.

Parush R. Parushev
Senior Research Fellow,
International Baptist Theological Study Centre, Amsterdam

The concept of missio Dei has not been well known in the context of the former Soviet Union. Vladimir Ubeivolc has presented it here not only as a key concept for mission, but also as a central point at which the evangelical and orthodox dialogue can take place. As mission has often been a divisive issue between the different traditions, this research is a turning point and marks out a better way of understanding and appreciating each other in light of the mission of God.

Peter Penner
Director of Advanced Studies, Professor for Mission and New Testament,
Haus Edelweiss Campus, TCM International Institute

1. Abstract
2. Acknowledgements
3. Abbreviations
4. Introduction
1. Purpose and Motivations of the Current Dissertation
2. Situation in Moldova
3. Situation in the Union of Evangelical Christian Baptist Churches
4. Definition of the Basic Conceptual Apparatus
1. Missio Dei
2. Evangelical Churches
3. Eastern European Orthodox Context
5. Overview of the Presented Dissertation
6. Expected Results
5. Chapter 1
1. The Birth and Development of Evangelical Churches in Moldavian Orthodox Context
1. The Emergence of Christianity in the Territory of Moldova
2. The Emergence of Orthodoxy in the Territory of Moldova
3. The Emergence of the First Non-Orthodox Groups
4. Communities of Molokans
5. Mennonite Communities
6. Evangelical Communities
7. Baptist Communities
8. General Overview and Conclusions
9. The Growth of Evangelical Churches in Moldova in the Period (1918–1944)
10. Self-identification of Moldavian Evangelical Baptists
11. New Challenges
12. The Growth of Evangelical Churches in the Soviet Period (1944–1991)
13. Evangelical Churches in Stalin’s Time
14. Evangelical Churches in Khrushchev’s Time
15. Evangelical Churches in Brezhnev’s Time
16. Evangelical Churches in Gorbachev’s Time
17. Conclusions
6. Chapter 2
1. Mission of Evangelical Churches in Moldova from the End of the Twentieth to the First Decade of the Twenty-First Century
1. Religious Situation after Collapse of the USSR Block
2. Evangelistic Crusades and Church Growth in Independent Moldova
3. Theological Reflections in the ECB Union
4. Conclusions
7. Chapter 3
1. Contemporary Relationships between Evangelicals and the Orthodox Church
1. The Orthodox Church in Moldova in the Early 21st Century
2. Proselytism and Foundations for Conflict between Evangelicals and the Orthodox Church
1. Overview of the Moldavian Situation
2. Theological and Ideological Foundations for Conflict
3. Canonical Territory and the Ecumenical Movement
4. “Aggressive” Evangelism
3. Evangelical-Orthodox Dialogue in Moldova in the Early 21st Century
4. Conclusions
8. Chapter 4
1. How “Mission” is Perceived by Evangelical Theologians
1. Managerial Missiology
2. Post-Imperial Missiology
3. An Anabaptist Missiology
4. Conclusions
9. Chapter 5
1. How “Mission” is Perceived by Orthodox Theologians
1. The Foundation and Content of Orthodox Mission
2. Kenosis as an Incarnated Method of Orthodox Mission
3. Theosis as the Final Goal of Orthodox Mission
4. Conclusions
10. Chapter 6
1. How “Mission” is Perceived in Ecumenical Circles
1. Missio Dei as an Ecumenical Paradigm
2. The Content of Missio Dei
3. The Goal of Missio Dei
4. Conclusions
11. Chapter 7
1. The Trinitarian Foundation for Mission
1. Mission of the Father
2. Mission of the Son
3. Mission of the Spirit
4. Conclusions
12. Chapter 8
1. Analytical and Synthetic Evaluation of the Missiological Paradigms
1. Distinctions and Similarities in Different Missiologies
1. Orthodox Missiology vis-à-vis the Church Growth Movement
2. Orthodox Missiology vis-à-vis the Lausanne Movement
3. Orthodox Missiology vis-à-vis the Anabaptist Movement
4. Orthodox Missiology vis-à-vis the Ecumenical Movement
5. Comparative Analysis of All Paradigms
6. Mission of the Orthodox Church vis-à-vis the Mission of ECB in Moldova
2. Mission of the Church – Synthetic Dynamics for the Whole Church
3. Conclusions
13. Chapter 9
1. Holistic and Cooperative Approach in Mission
1. Biblical, Theological and Practical Aspects for Holistic Mission in Moldova
1. Social Responsibility and Social Action
2. Prophetic Presence
3. The Relationship between the Prophet and Social Problems in the Bible
4. Prophets and Social Activity Nowadays
5. Evangelism or Witness?
2. Mission as Dialogue and Common Witness
1. Common Witness in Soviet Time
2. Common Witness in Contemporary Neighboring Countries
3. General Situation in Ecumenical Circles
4. New Paradigm for Evangelical Churches in Moldova from a Missio Dei Perspective
3. Conclusions
14. Conclusion
15. Bibliography
1. Primary Sources
2. Books and Monographs
3. Articles, Essays and Component Parts within Books
4. Theses and Dissertations
5. Electronic Sources
6. Interviews
7. Web Sources