Empowering destitute people towards Shalom
A Contextual Missiological Study
by
Gerrit Johannes Nieuwenhoudt Roux
submitted in accordance with the requirements
for the degree of
DOCTOR OF THEOLOGY
in the subject
MISSIOLOGY
at the
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA
Promotors: Dr. Stephan de Beer; Prof. Annalet van Schalkwyk
August 2007
Student number: 3433 – 807 – 1
I declare herewith that “EMPOWERING DESTITUTE PEOPLE TOWARDS SHALOM - A CONTEXTUAL MISSIOLOGICAL STUDY” is my own work and that I have indicated all sources that I have used by means of full references.
.............................. ………………………
SIGNATURE DATE
Rev. G.J.N. Roux
Summary
This thesis proposes that the destitute people of South Africa, and specifically Tshwane, comprise an often neglected group of people that can and must be helped by means of missions with the destitute to experience growing degrees of SHALOM. Part of this would include a drive to re-integrate the destitute into society as functioning members of that society.
This is undertaken through developing a proposed model that strives to empower destitute people in a variety of ways, using a variety of “movements” and strategies. A model such as this is necessary in the light of the seeming inability of helpers (including churches, CBO’s and other non-religious organizations), to come to grips with the complex problem of destitution in our country, and in Tshwane specifically. This perceived inability is addressed by exploring the problem of destitution, in the process seeking a better understanding of a complex problem, followed by considering the responsibility of the church as missiological agent of social healing and ministry.
Missiologically, SHALOM is perceived as the aim/ goal of missions with the destitute, where SHALOM refers to wellbeing, justice, relational, completeness, whole-being, peace, etc.
The model is intended to serve as a viable strategy in the arsenal of churches that take the missiological call towards social healing seriously, and to provide a comprehensive, holistic approach when dealing with the destitute.
It is postulated that the church, more than any other organization, should enjoy an advantage when it comes to social ministry, because of two reasons, namely (1) a strong missiological point of departure as a motivation to be involved in social ministry, where we see the church as a partner in the Missio Dei, and (2) a strong missiological aim, namely SHALOM, which transcends mere charity or welfare, but seeks to empower people holistically.
Key Terms
Contextualizing missions to the destitute
Continuum of empowering care
Destitute
Empower
Helpers
Internal and external factors (contributing to destitution)
Missions with…
Public church
SHALOM
Social ministry, social healing
Systemic approach
Acknowledgements
I am indebted to both my study leaders for their input into my life. You have changed my theology, my way of doing missions, and eventually also my convictions. Words cannot express the depth of my gratitude for this.
I owe a huge debt of gratitude to my wife – you sacrificed greatly in terms of time, and your personal efforts to support me in doing this study made a world of difference. You are truly a partner to walk the river with.
My mother – you encouraged me greatly every time I wanted to quit.
My children Ruvon and Shian – you are still very young, but you unknowingly sacrificed time with me so that I could study
To God, who works in us to will and to act according to His good purpose. Ultimately this study happened because the love of God empowered me, may my life manifest a strive to love God in the same way.
Johan Roux (2007)
Table of Contents
Summary
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4
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Acknowledgements
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6
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Table of Contents
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7
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Chapter 1 – Introduction
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My journey with destitute people – becoming aware…
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17
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The purpose of this study – some personal thoughts
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19
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Posing the problem
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23
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Hypotheses
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25
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Research questions
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26
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Method of research
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27
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A contextual theological approach
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28
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Specific Contextualization
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30
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Using the praxis cycle
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30
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6.3.1. Insertion
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31
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6.3.2. Analysis
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31
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6.3.3. Reflection
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31
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6.3.4. Planning (Pastoral Planning for action
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32
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An interdisciplinary study
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32
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Terminology – a closer look at the theme
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33
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“Empowering”
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33
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Destitute
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35
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People
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36
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Towards
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37
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SHALOM
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37
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Introduction to thesis
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38
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Sources
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42
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Chapter 2 – Why Are People Destitute?
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Introduction
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43
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Exploring causes for destitution
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44
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Morse: Destitution as the result of different categories of causal factors
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44
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Lewis: Destitution as the result of “The culture of poverty”
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47
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Destitution as the result of a dysfunctional “economic ethos”
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49
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Destitution as the result of personal irresponsibility
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50
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Christian: Destitution as the result of a complex framework of disempowerment
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50
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Chambers: Destitution as the result of the “Poverty Trap”
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52
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Theories about destitution as the result of marginalization
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52
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Making sense of the different viewpoints and theories about the causes of destitution
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54
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Looking deeper than just immediate needs for the causes of destitution
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54
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The causes of destitution as a two-sided coin
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54
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A model of possible causes for destitution
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57
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Exploring the “Inside - out” issues
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60
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Physical problems
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60
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Substance abuse and addictions
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61
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Poor physical health and illness
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61
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Mental illness
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63
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Physical handicaps
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63
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Emotional problems
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63
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Negative childhood experiences or dysfunctional family experiences
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64
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Abuse and domestic violence
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64
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Trauma
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66
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Overwhelming negative feelings
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67
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Lack of belonging/ connectedness
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67
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Continued rejection by people and systems (leading to distrust and self-ostracization
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68
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Personal development problems
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68
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Lack of education, knowledge and skills
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69
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Lack of access to knowledge and information
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70
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Lack of meaning and identity
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70
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Lack of access to culture (including cultural values)
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71
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Wrong worldview
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72
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Generational carry over of “culture of poverty” tendencies
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73
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Adaptation to life on the streets
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73
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Spiritual problems
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73
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Spiritual poverty
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73
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Personal sin and spiritual blindness
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74
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Exploring “Outside – in” issues
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74
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Cultural problems
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74
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Racism, racial discrimination and racial prejudices (Apartheid)
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74
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Public apathy
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75
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Gender inequality
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76
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Institutional problems
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77
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State failure
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77
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Lack of appropriate social services and assistance
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78
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Difficulty accessing systems of help
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79
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Global society problems
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80
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Poverty
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80
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Dysfunctional economic ethos
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83
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Famine and hunger
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85
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Disasters
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85
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Urbanization
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85
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Micro-societal problems
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87
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Poverty in SA
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87
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Lack of affordable housing
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91
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Lack of employment
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93
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Urban redevelopment policies and displacement
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95
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Violence and crime
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96
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Fertility rates, mortality rates
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97
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Illegal immigration
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98
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Employment problems
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98
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Depressing effect on wages
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99
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Escalating crime
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99
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Overloading of education, health, housing and pension services
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99
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Escalating Government expenditure
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100
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Conclusion
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100
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Chapter 3 – Missions with the Destitute: Theological Perspectives
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Introduction
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102
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Missions with the destitute flow from the Missio Dei
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105
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Mission as “Church with others”
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108
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Mission as mediating comprehensive salvation
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109
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Mission as the quest for justice
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110
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Mission as evangelism
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111
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Mission as liberation
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113
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Mission as hope in action
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115
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Missions as prophetic dialogue
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116
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Missions with the destitute as contextual mission
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117
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Understanding different ways of doing contextual theology with the destitute
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119
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Applying these models towards contectualizing missions with the destitute
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121
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