Russian Baptist Mission Theology in Historical and Contemporary Perspective

Since the dissolution of the Soviet empire in the early 1990s, churches in those lands have faced new opportunities and challenges, raising the need to examine afresh the nature and implications of Christian mission. Andrey Kravtsev provides readers with a timely and thorough examination of Russian Baptists’ evolving understanding of mission and the various theological streams influencing that thinking. This case study offers insight and guidance for all who are seeking to biblically reexamine the mission of the church in a rapidly changing world.

Craig Ott, PhD
Professor of Mission and Intercultural Studies, Director, PhD Program in Intercultural Studies, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, Illinois, USA

This is a much-needed study on the mission theology of Russian Baptists. Today the Russian Baptist Union is involved in local and global mission, in spite of continuous struggles within and without. Their models of mission are well presented in this study in comparison to a wider mission understanding. Theperspective on the different phases of mission thinking and praxis in Russia shows that there is still much to learn and to do. With the current changes in Russia and worldwide, Dr Andrey Kravtsev’s call through this book to a holistic mission is a call that needs to be heard even beyond Russia. Therefore, this thorough piece of research is a must-read for all who are interested in missions in Russia and in the region of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. It is an excellent book on mission with a helpful perspective and guidance on well-grounded mission theology and praxis.

Peter Penner, DHabil
Director of Advanced Studies, Euro-Asian Accrediting Association
Professor for Mission and New Testament, Campus Danubia, Vienna, Austria

1. Acknowledgements

2. Abstract
3. Abbreviations
4. Chapter 1
5. Introduction
6. • A Brief Historical Overview
   • The Current Socio-Political and Religious Context of Russia
   • Research Problem
   • Purpose of the Study
   • Research Questions
   • Definition of Terms
   • Significance of the Research
7. Chapter 2
8. The Development of Evangelical Mission Theology Since 1910
9. • A Historical Overview
   • Evangelical Mission Theology in the Global Context
   • The Essence of the Gospel
   • The Church’s Identity and Its Role in Mission
   • Cultural Engagement in Mission
   • Holistic Mission
10. Concluding Summary
11. Chapter 3
12. Russian Baptist Mission Theology in Context, 1867–1991
13. • Historical Roots of Russian Baptist Theology
    • International Connections during This Period
    • Russian Baptists’ Missiological Convictions
    • Revivalist Pietism: 1867–1905
    • Historical Background
    • The Nature of the Gospel
    • The Identity and Purpose of the Church
    • Cultural Engagement
    • Holistic Mission
    • Transformationist Pietism: 1905–1930
    • Historical Background
    • The Nature of the Gospel
    • The Identity and Purpose of the Church
    • Cultural Engagement
    • Holistic Mission
    • Escapist Pietism: 1944–1991
    • Historical Background
    • The Nature of the Gospel
    • The Identity and Purpose of the Church
    • Cultural Engagement
    • The View of Holistic Mission
    • Concluding Summary
14. Chapter 4
15. Conceptual Framework and Methodology
16. • Theoretical Framework
    • Research Method
    • Research Questions
    • Research Population and Sample
    • Research Procedures
    • Validity and Reliability
    • Research Delimitations
    • Research Limitations
    • Research Bias
17. Chapter 5
18. Research Findings, Part I: The Participants’ Views on the Theology of Mission
• Introductory Comments
• The Contours of Russian Baptist Mission Theology
• The Nature of the Gospel
• The Kingdom of God
• The Identity and Purpose of the Church
• Cultural Engagement
• Holistic Mission
19. Chapter 6
20. Research Findings, Part II: The Need for Revisions to Traditional Missiological Views and Ways of Introducing Them
• Group One: Revisions in the Traditionalist Perspective
• Reflections on the Experience of Baptist Mission in Russia
• Suggested Missiological Revisions
• Group Two: Revisions from the Innovators’ Perspective
• Reflections on the Experience of Baptist Mission in Russia
• Suggested Missiological Revisions
• The Innovators on the Process of Revision
21. Chapter 7
22. Conclusions and Implications
23. • Summary of the Chapters
    • The Answers to the Research Questions by Those Espousing the Traditionalist Paradigm
    • The Contours of Russian Baptist Mission Theology
    • Potential Missiological Revisions
    • The Answers to the Research Questions by Those Espousing the Innovative Paradigm
    • The Contours of Russian Baptist Mission Theology
    • Potential Missiological Revisions
    • Conclusions
    • Implications
    • Five Themes from Global Evangelical Missiology
    • Approaches to Missiological Revisions
    • Concluding Thoughts.
24. Appendix 1
• Informed Consent Form
25. Appendix 2
• Interview Protocol
26. Appendix 3
• Participants’ Demographic Information
27. Appendix 4
• A Missional Model of Theological Education
28. Bibliography