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An Intrusive Gospel?: Christian Mission in the Postmodern World

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C. Norman Kraus, at the time he wrote this 1998 book, was a Mennonite theologian and professor emeritus at Goshen College, Indiana.

He states in the Preface, "it is my conviction that, except for tactical reasons on certain occasions, the evangelism-service dichotomy should be dropped. The larger strategy of Christian mission should combine the two into a dynamic whole."

Here are some quotations from the book:

"We must confess that religious missions have been too closely allied with and dependent on the secular goals and military power of intervening national agencies... they were too often characterized by the same colonial style as their secular counterparts." (Pg. 10)
"The obvious failure of international economic development strategies to close the gap between rich and poor nations, along with the growing ecological crisis that has resulted from the attempt, raises questions about the underlying presuppositions." (Pg. 52)
"This lack of integration is evident in our approach to economic development. Christian agencies have largely assumed that a 'free market' economy is the basic paradigm for CHRISTIAN relief and development work... But are human beings rational 'economic animals' who will put communal justice ahead of private profit?" (Pg. 64-65)
"Second, we should note Paul's attitude and approach to the various religions he confronted. He did not condemn pagan religions as demonic in their totality. He recognized the values and spiritual insights in some of their religious teachings and practices." (Pg. 114)
"Finally, in our review of theological fundamentals, we need to face the question so often raised whether one can be 'saved' without knowledge of the earthly Jesus. I am quite confident that from a biblical perspective the answer is yes." (Pg. 126)