Restorative Witness. Evangelism and Reconciliation: A Wesleyan Theological Exploration

Abstract

In an age marked by declining trust, cultural divisiveness and secularism, Restorative Witness offers a theological stance to undergird evangelism by using the lens of reconciliation. Drawing on the work of Miroslav Volf, Restorative Witness offers a theological exploration of evangelism, including an examination of the current climate of Western culture regarding issues of trust, mistrust and distrust; a historical overview of factors leading to the present situation; and observations regarding current difficulties facing the church in the arena of evangelism and reasons for those difficulties. The exploration uses theological resources in the areas of evangelism, biblical studies and systematics to offer a new theological disposition from which to engage evangelistic efforts. Firmly grounded in the biblical events of creation, the incarnation, the crucifixion, the resurrection, the ascension, Pentecost, and new creation, this theological stance takes seriously understandings of ecclesiology and the kingdom of God with the goal of restoring strength, integrity and power to Christian witness in an age of mistrust and divisiveness.