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The Open Secret
Aimed at bringing contemporary concerns in mission theology to a wide-reading public, this volume flows from Newbigin's extensive experience in the mission field and from lectures developed especially to prepare men and women for missionary service. Newbigin describes the Christian mission as the declaration of an open secret--open in that it is preached to all nations, se...more
Paperback, 200 pages
Published
August 28th 1995
by William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
(first published 1978)
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About the Author
Lesslie Newbigin was ordained in 1936 by the Presbytery of Edinburgh to work as a Church missionary to India. In 1947 he was appointed bishop of a diocese in Madurai, India. In 1959 he became the general secretary of the International Missionary Council and worked toward its integration into the World Council of Churches, in which he served as associate general secretary until 1965. He returned to his bishopric in India until 1974. He then served as lecturer at Sally Oak Colleges...more
Lesslie Newbigin was ordained in 1936 by the Presbytery of Edinburgh to work as a Church missionary to India. In 1947 he was appointed bishop of a diocese in Madurai, India. In 1959 he became the general secretary of the International Missionary Council and worked toward its integration into the World Council of Churches, in which he served as associate general secretary until 1965. He returned to his bishopric in India until 1974. He then served as lecturer at Sally Oak Colleges...more
Newbie is a good guy. You can tell he really means well when he's talking about missions, evangelism, etc. But he really should have read up a bit more on certain of the theological issues he tries to grapple with. For example, he completely butchers the biblical view of covenant in the section where he tries to deal with it. He makes the covenant out to be something that is purely unconditional, almost to the point of affirming K. Barth's Christic-monism and strict mono-covenantalism. Anyway, N...more
I honestly enjoyed this book on first read. It contains a lot of wisdom and is very deep theologically. Some of Newbigin's insights into the Trinity and the unintuitive nature of God's kingdom are very helpful and a good response to mainstream Christianity that so often veers away from the historical person of Jesus. There are many, many good quotes to be found in this book, and I think that if I were to list them I'd have as good a book as any written by some of the people building on Newbigin'...more
This is a great book on missiology, yes. It also a great book on Biblical theology and Christology as well as inter-religious dialogue. As a pastor, this book helps me put together in a cohesive picture the various functions I carry out during a week. That picture's title is witness.
I highly recommend The Open Secret. If you're in ministry, if you're trying to live your life as mission, if you're looking for a good picture at how faith, history, and purpose fit together, read this book.
I highly recommend The Open Secret. If you're in ministry, if you're trying to live your life as mission, if you're looking for a good picture at how faith, history, and purpose fit together, read this book.
Ever since I was first introduced to Lesslie Newbigin some years ago when I read Foolishness to the Greeks: Gospel and Western Culture, I have appreciated his thoughtfulness in the area of theology of mission. Though he passed into glory 11 years ago, his legacy lives on. The second edition of The Open Secret, updated in 1994, was engaging and thought-provoking from start to finish, particularly toward the end. I record some further thoughts here: http://meismarkintaiwan.blogspot.com/....
This was one of 2 or 3 texts used in a class I took during my senior year at Covenant College. It is on my parents' bookshelf rather than mine so, sadly, I cannot at the moment look back at it, because it's been 8 years since I took that class! I want to "bounce off" from this one to his more recent work.
The clearest articulation of Christian missiology I've ever encountered. Newbigin contrasts missions to the colonial project of Western nations, which has left mostly cultural contamination and hurt in its wake. Instead, the gospel should be translated into other cultures, where it can speak a word that both the "missionary" and newly called people of God ("converts") need to hear.
Finally, he also recognizes the shift of Christianity's center of gravity to the global South - Africa, South Americ...more
Finally, he also recognizes the shift of Christianity's center of gravity to the global South - Africa, South Americ...more
So great I want everyone to read it. I am not totally aligned with Newbigin's Reformed prespective, but neither is he. He brings a great insight to theolgoy from actually doing it on the "field" in India.
Jun 30, 2010
Aaron Carlberg
added it
I am having our entire board read through this book. Leslie Newbigin was an awesome individual, you should read his books as well.
This is a much earlier work by Newbigin on missiology than Foolishness and Gospel in a Pluralist Society so there is some development of thought that is evident in his later works. His analysis of election and it's relationship to world history is profound, as is his trinitarian missiology. His discussion on dialogue with people of other faiths is very instructive but a bit confusing on its conclusions. Excellent read nonetheless but I am not sure this is an introduction to missiology for he is...more
Must read for those who want to be challenged on being a missionary right where they live.
The little bit I got through before being distracted with other things was awesome. It is great to read his methodology since it matches exactly with his epistemology. Jesus cannot be known apart from the Father's revelation through the Spirit; highly trinitarian and in tune with what seems to me to be biblical epistemology.
So i have to read this for school, but i really am enjoying it. Newbigin is one of the greatest missional theologians of our time. He has some excellent insights into the theology of evangelism, and missions in cultural contexts. There are sections that are a bit dry but over all its a great read.
Newbigin has some very good things to say about mission and Trinity and culture for the Christian, but He must be read carefully. His ability to interact with pluralism and postmodern culture is insightful, but also at times, I think, is a bit too "open."
A profound, helpful guide to the theology of mission and a compelling work that directs us further in to the work of Christ in the world.
If only more missionaries and pastors and christians read this book...
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“Through the repeated hammer blows of defeat, destruction, and deportation, interpreted by the faithful prophets, Israel has to learn that election is not for comfort and security but for suffering and humiliation.”
—
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