Thanks for the interaction and for the good insights. I like conversion (in the broadest sense)–transformation, participation/theosis, with a missional thrust–as the goal of biblical interpretation. I look forward to more conversation and to your book. Are you part of GOCN? They have focused a lot on post-Christendom mission.

You make an excellent point. It is really, really hard to do ministry in an indoor mode or indoor culture. When I was in Cameroon, where everyone is always outdoors, I was amazed to see how much ministry goes on constantly. I’m sure part of my experience was due to my naturally gregarious host, but I did conclude that indoor issues relate not just to the doors of the church but also more generally to a couch-potato lifestyle.

Bruce–

All the best on your project. It sounds very promising. Email me offline and I will send you a paper caleld Justification and Justice: Paul, The Church, and the Salvation of the World.” It build on chapter 2 of “Inhabiting….”

Participating in the missio dei is hard for the church to see and feel when we are constantly doing everything indoors, behind a building which does house the Spirt of God but in a post-mission atmosphere, it is where a Christian now worships God. In the community is where we find the mission of God working in full force and I guess we can say the Holy Scriptures are our pre-mission handbook. From my recent mission trip to Niagra Falls I found that out of 11 churches in the area there was only one that was commited to taking Jesus to the streets. I have thought this for awhile but I think our church has gone AWOL. The fact is, when we commit to doing God’s already-in-progress work we find an amazing thing–what it means to be a Christian.

Thanks so much! It was good to read the Wright essay and learn about your school and journal. Great stuff! I hope others follow the link; I will mention it again in an entry.