"The message of the Gospel is existing in an ongoing process of becoming different
forms in the world, in different cultures and at different times. The Gospel is in
transformation and this is the only way of its existing, whereby its fullness can only be
appropriated with every new transformation and will be completed in the eschaton." In
this understanding the author compiled several sketches on mission history and missiology,
delivered as Lectures and Presentations at the Gossner Theological College Ranchi,
Jharkhand, India.
The author traces this diverse process of transformation by using historical sources,
which are difficult to access and by sharing his experiences with the Gossner Church in
Chotanagpur (now a region in Jharkhand). He brings into limelight a biographical sketch of
Father Gossner encasing new aspects of his life and missionary work, the early beginnings
of Gossner missionaries, the transformation of the gospel during the first conversion and
the development of indigenous music, liturgy etc. The learned work also makes a timely
reminder of contentions of Martin Luther, the Father of Reformation.
A synopsis of the struggles of the Adivasis their hopes and aspirations for the
intervention of the missionaries to mitigate their sufferings from shackles of poverty,
the caste system and land alienation have also been showcased. At last comparative studies
made between Johann Hinrich Wichern and Johannes Evangelista Gossner, Birsa Munda and
Thomas Muentzer are quite revealing and enlightening.
The impeccable research work is recommended by the Church History Association of India
as a must for Historians, Missionaries, Educationists, Church Laity, Church Clergy,
Seminaries, Institutions, Students, and all those, who wish to know more about the
transformation of the Gospel in the Jharkhand Area.
Contents
Foreword / Dr. Oliver Jetti
Introduction
Section 1
Biographical Sketches
1. Johannes Evangelista Gossner
2. Gossner's "Heart of Man" - origin - reception
3. "... and covered me with kisses..." - Johann Hinrich Wichern (1808-1881)
visiting Johannes Evangelista Gossner in Berlin
Section 2
Lutheran Heritage
1. Lutheran and the Arts
2. The Liturgy of the Gossner Church
Section 3
Social Freedom
1. Mission as Misunderstanding - An Observation on Conversion Processes
2. Social movement of the Adivasi during the 19th century in Chotanagpur as reflected
in German sources
3. Birsa Munda and Thomas Muentzer - Evangelical and Social freedom
Section 4
Ecumenical Approaches
1. The Jubilee Centenary of Edinburgh 1910-2010 and its heritage today
2. Tolerance and Mission
Reflection / Dr. Manmasih Ekka
Bibliography
Index
Rev. Dr. Ulrich Schoentube, born 1973, studied Theology in Berlin. He
did his Doctorate in Protestant Art in post-reformation era. From 2007 to 2014, he served
as director of Gossner Mission Society. Presently, he is rendering his services as a
parish pastor in Berlin and a pastor voluntarily responsible for the association of 250
brass choirs in his church. He has authored several papers on art history and mission
theology. He has a teaching assignment at the faculty of Theology at the University of
Leipzig.
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