Cross-Cultural Apologetics and Missiology

If there’s one area that I believe is almost completely neglected in missiology (the study of missions) today, it’s the role of apologetics. Thankfully, veteran missions scholar David Hesselgrave has clarified its importance in “Revelation and Reason in Cross-Cultural Apologetics and Missiology” in the latest issue of the Journal of the International Society of Christian Apologetics.

Having served as a missionary in Japan for twelve years, Hesselgrave certainly has the experience and insight to address the question: What role do reason and apologetics have in missions? Many answer by saying that reason and apologetics are simply a byproduct of our Western approach to knowledge and are therefore irrelevant to those who have an Eastern or other non-Western way of thinking. But Hesselgrave knows better, and he points us to the trinary approach of conceptual/postulational, concrete-relational/pictorial, and psychical/intuitional ways of thinking rather than the Eastern vs. Western binary approach.

What does this mean? Hesselgrave explains that, instead of there being just two opposite and irreconcilable approaches to knowledge, people in all cultures approach their pursuit of truth in varying combinations of these three ways of thinking. As he summarizes:

“[This] proposal is especially helpful to Western Christian apologists and missionaries because we can anticipate that, as a result of the Imago Dei [i.e., image of God in man], the employment of cogent, coherent and consistent reasoning will be both appropriate and effective in Eastern cultures. At the same time we can anticipate that due to our fallen nature, God-given rationality will be rather easily transmuted into rationalism and irrationalism in both Eastern and Western cultures. Divine revelation will serve both to complement and complete, and to compensate and correct, ways of thinking and knowing in all cultures.”

In other words, reason and apologetics are both needed as we proclaim the gospel to all cultures. But if this is true, what does it mean for cross-cultural missions? Hesselgrave concludes by summarizing four avenues for reappropriating apologetics in our missionary task, namely:

1) Ronald Nash’s tests for truth as rooted in the nature of God,
2) Harold Netland’s defense of our objective propositional faith over fideistic subjectivism,
3) Norman Geisler’s three kinds of essentials of the Christian faith, and
4) Paul Hiebert’s view of the local church as a hermeneutical community.

One need not agree with (or even understand!) all of these applications to approve of Hesselgrave’s conclusion:

“After my experiences in Japan and a half century of subsequent involvement in evangelical missions worldwide I suggest that evangelical apologists and missionaries ‘renew their vows.’ . . . Currently missionary efforts to evangelize the world stand in need of the contributions of evangelical theologians and philosophers. Of course, the converse is also true. Apologists and theologians stand to benefit from the contributions of evangelical anthropologists and cross-culturalists.”

To which I reply with a hearty “Amen!” Hesselgrave’s principles can be used to powerful effect in Africa, and I commend his incisive article to everyone who is committed to our Savior’s missionary task.

Viral Video: The Lausanne Movement and its History

As an avid supporter of the Lausanne Movement, I am thrilled that they have established a YouTube channel to post videos on their movement and modern missions work. However, I realize that many people are not very familiar with one of evangelicalism's most important global efforts. To do my small part, I am turning over today's Viral Video post to a series of videos explaining the Lausanne Movement and its history. Enjoy!

Weekly Round-Up

Here's the latest for this week's round-up:

1) "Anti-Christian Gaddafi Takes Over as AU Chair" in Catholic Information Services for Africa. I have previously mentioned the controversy surrounding Muammar Gaddafi in East Africa. Now he has been elected chairman of the African Union. His new position could impact the Christian-Muslim relationship in Africa. We'll have to see.

2) "Christians in Africa Face Persecution" on CBN News. Here is an important news story about the persecution facing our brothers and sisters in Christ. The report even mentions Uganda's Lord's Resistance Army. Let us pray for Christians in Africa!

3) "City Opens For Missionary Work In the DR Congo" on the LDS Church Growth Blog. Mormons continue to have success in Africa. Here is a blog post celebrating their latest advance in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Their false claims need to be countered with the true gospel of Jesus Christ.

4) Michael Oh, "Missions as Fasting: The Forsaking of Things Present for the Global Exaltation of Christ" on the Desiring God web site. Would you like to be challenged and convicted? Then listen to or watch Oh's message from the Desiring God 2009 Conference for Pastors. And if you would like to join me in fasting and prayer for our East African ministry, then please let me know.

Weekly Round-Up

Since I have been away for a couple of weeks, I'm going to play catch up with a few new articles:

1) Matthew Parris, "As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God" in the Times Online (Britain). A fascinating opinion piece with the subtitle "Missionaries, not aid money, are the solution to Africa's biggest problem - the crushing passivity of the people's mindset." I pray that the freeing gospel of Jesus Christ will continue to spread throughout Africa!

2) "A look at the church in Uganda in 2008" in the Sunday Vision newspaper (Uganda). Here is a brief report on the good, the bad, and the ugly of Christianity in Uganda. It is a helpful summary of where I will begin serving this year (Lord willing!).

3) Rob Crilly, "Escaping from a cult-like army" in the Irish Times newspaper (Ireland). Don't pass up this opportunity to read the account of a high-ranking leader in the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). The LRA continues to wreak havoc in Uganda, Sudan, and Congo. May God bring an end to this horrible situation soon!

Weekly Round-Up

Here's a couple of new articles for this week's round-up:

1) "3 armies raid rebel camp in eastern Congo" on CNN.com. Armies from Uganda, southern Sudan, and the Congo have come together to begin a new advance against the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). As I have written before, the LRA is a terrorist organization led by Joseph Kony, who claims to be a spirit medium. They have been in open rebellion against the Ugandan government for decades, wreaking havoc throughout northern Uganda and beyond. May Christ quickly bring peace and stability to the region!

2) Adam Sparks, "Salvation History, Chronology, and Crisis: A Problem with Inclusivist Theology of Religions, Part 2 of 2" in Themelios Journal. Last month, I linked to the first part of this important essay. Now the second part has been posted. Sparks has given the church an invaluable resource by defending the exclusivity of the gospel and the necessity of faith in Christ. Be sure to read both articles!

Weekly Round-Up: Lord's Resistance Army in Congo, Witchcraft in Tanzania, Basics on Islam, and Missions Reflection

Here's this week's round-up:

1) "Africa's rogue army is reborn" in the Sunday Vision newspaper (Uganda). A few weeks ago, I wrote about the Lord's Resistance Army. This news article points us to the latest horrific development: the LRA is now crossing borders into north Congo. May Christ bring peace to this appalling situation.

2) "Albinos targeted in Tanzania" on CTV (Canada). Here is one of many recent reports on a repugnant practice in Tanzania. Local witchcraft beliefs lead to the slaughter of albinos because their bodies and blood are thought to contain special powers. I know that I have said it before, but witchcraft is a very serious problem in East Africa. Christians must respond in love with the hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ!

3) Colin Smith, "A Brief Introduction to the Qur'an: The Structure of the Qur'an" on the Alpha & Omega Ministries Apologetics Blog. Would you like to know more about Islam's sacred book? This series should serve as a helpful introduction.

4) Peter Leithart, "Desert Like a Rose" in First Things. With such confusion surrounding missions work today, Leithart provides amazing insight from the Word of God. He writes, "The Bible provides a theology of missions that is neither accommodation to existing culture nor total war that leaves the existing culture in smoking ruins. Mission is more like cultivation, a process of nurturing the hidden but unforeseen potential within a culture."

Weekly Round-Up: Ugandan Evangelicalism, Kenyan Challenges, Ghanaian Jehovah's Witnesses, and Defending Exclusivism

Here's this week's round-up:

1) "Evangelists on the rise in Uganda" on France 24. You simply must watch this video on the growth of evangelicalism in Uganda. While the reporters obviously do not have a firm grasp on contemporary Protestantism, evangelicalism, and the charismatic movement in Africa, they still have produced an eye-opening inside look into Uganda's religious atmosphere.

2) "Churches up in arms over shady pastors" in the Saturday Nation newspaper (Kenya). Because of all the prosperity gospel preachers and other charlatans taking advantage of Christians in East Africa, more and more church leaders are calling for additional oversight and regulation by the government.

3) Francis Asamoah-Tufuor, "Jehovah's Witnesses Do Vote In Ghana" in the Ghanaian Times newspaper (Ghana). This news story is fascinating. JWs usually do not vote or get involved in politics, but the JWs in Ghana plan on being a part of their country's political process.

4) Adam Sparks, "Salvation History, Chronology, and Crisis: A Problem with Inclusivist Theology of Religions, Part 1 of 2" in Themelios Journal (in PDF format). When thinking about missions and those belonging to other religions, one of the most debated questions today is on the salvation of non-Christians. Could people be saved by Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross without ever hearing the gospel or believing in Him? Followers of Christ must firmly answer "No," since God has revealed that faith in Christ is our only hope of salvation. Sparks helps us to better understand the exclusivity of our Savior's gospel.

Weekly Round-Up: East Africa Gathering, Piper on Missions, and Theology in Africa

Here's this week's round-up:

1) Grace Samson, "Call2all East Africa" in the Lausanne Connecting Point - October 2008. In this report, we read of a gathering of Christian leaders in East Africa coming together to reach the least and the lost with the gospel of Jesus Christ. I pray that the glory of Christ will shine in East Africa!

2) John Piper, "Bad Times Are Good for Missions" on the Desiring God blog. I appreciate John Piper's insights on missions as we face an economic downturn.

3) "Living on the Seam of History: African Christianity Part 7, Towards a Missiological and Theological Renaissance" on the Koinonia blog. This post includes some insightful quotes and even a video with Christopher J.H. Wright on Christianity in Africa and the Global South.

Cross-Cultural Stress in Marriage

My family continues to prepare serving Christ in East Africa. While we have a lot to get ready for in our ministry, we also face fundamental changes in our personal lives. How will our move across cultures impact our marriage? What will it mean for our family? How will we be discipling our children in Africa?

This month's Evangelical Missions Quarterly is devoted to helping address these crucial questions, and I have benefited greatly from its articles. One was written by Sue Eenigenburg, "Preparing Missionary Couples for Cultural Stress." She begins by confessing to getting so frustrated in her cross-cultural challenges that she considered leaving her husband in the mission field. Eenigenburg says:

Culture stress can make or break a marriage. My husband and I had a solid foundation for our marriage and went to minister overseas after eight good years of marriage and three children. I would have never imagined that I would find myself daydreaming about leaving him. With the language and cultural differences, the stress of dealing with ministry in and out of our home, keeping up with laundry, and cooking and cleaning for our family of six, I was ready for a trip to Hawaii--without him and the kids. I felt tempted to charge my trip to his account and let him take care of the bill, the kids, and the laundry. I wasn't sure if I even wanted to come back (422).

I appreciate her openness and honesty. I am also glad that she devotes the rest of her article to helping missionary couples prepare for the cross-cultural stressors that can challenge and even overwhelm the best marriages. She lists twelve: 1) lack of privacy, 2) public displays of affection, 3) time spent together, 4) competition in language [acquisition], 5) competition in ministry, 6) physical distress, 7) emotional issues, 8) feeling pressure, 9) treatment of spouse, 10) spending time together, 11) expectation of roles, and 12) environment.

Eenigenburg then provides missionary couples with six steps to proactively face these stressors as well as lists 25 questions and ideas to discuss before moving overseas. She has packed a great deal of helpful information into the few pages of this article. I may not be able to provide all of her suggestions in this post (if you are interested in learning more, I highly recommend checking out her article), but she has definitely caused me to realize the need to work through these issues now, before we move to Uganda.

Please pray for my wife and I as we prepare to serve our Lord in East Africa. I ask that you not only pray for our ministry but also for our marriage and our family. We continue to trust in Christ, knowing that only He can provide the strength we need to successfully handle the cultural stress we will face. May my wife and I glorify our Savior together!

Dialogue with Non-Christians

While I posted this entry on a previous blog, my current studies on missions work and engaging with people from other religions reminded me of an important journal article that I read on the topic. So I have decided to share a little from it again for the readers of the ACFAR blog.

In thinking about such issues as evangelism, apologetics, missions, and Christianity's relationship to other religions, I ran across an older but excellent and informative article: I. Howard Marshall, "Dialogue with Non-Christians in the New Testament," Evangelical Review of Theology (16): 28-47. Unfortunately, this article does not appear to be online. Nevertheless, it is essential reading for all Christians interested in sharing the gospel with others. It begins where we all should start in working through these issues--God's Word. While I'd love to post the whole article (but am equally sure that I cannot!), below is the introduction to whet your appetite. Hopefully it will serve as a "hook," leading you to find a copy and read it in its entirety.

---

The place of dialogue with non-Christians in relation to the evangelistic task of the church has received renewed attention recently in the pages of the Evangelical Review of Theology. It is clear that some Christians regard dialogue as an important form of witness, and think that the church's evangelistic task should be carried on by means of dialogue as well as by proclamation.

We may roughly contrast the two possible approaches as follows. In proclamation the evangelist (X) has a message (G--the gospel) which he communicates to his hearer (Y) as something which is to be accepted or rejected; the evangelist himself has received this unchanging message, and he communicates it virtually without change. In dialogue, however, the message is not something which the evangelist already possesses in normative form. Rather he must enter into discussion with his hearer, both participants contributing to the dialogue and thus together reaching an understanding of the gospel.

A. PROCLAMATION
G ---> X ---> Y

B. DIALOGUE
X ---> G <--- Y

The question which is posed by juxtaposing these two types of approach is whether the Christian message is something 'given' to the evangelist which is passed on unchanged to the potential convert, or whether the truth of the gospel is something that emerges in the course of dialogue. Obviously the issues are not as sharp as this in practice. Any evangelist must shape his proclamation to the situation and character of the hearer; it is no use speaking in German to somebody who only understands Tamil, and illustrations and concepts must be chosen which will be intelligible to the hearer. Similarly, even in a situation of dialogue the evangelist will have some understanding of the gospel, even if his understanding of it may undergo radical alteration in the course of dialogue. Nevertheless, it is still necessary to ask whether the essential content of the gospel is something 'given' to the evangelist or can undergo radical alteration in a common search for truth along with a non-Christian.

It is surely essential that in discussing this matter we have a clear understanding of what is meant by 'dialogue' in the New testament and determine whether it was practised as a means of evangelism. We shall look first at the meaning of the Greek verbs which suggest the idea of dialogue, and this will involve us in a study of the church's evangelism as portrayed in Acts. From there we shall turn back to the synoptic gospels [Matthew, Mark, and Luke] to see whether the dialogue form can be found there, and then we shall move forward to see whether Paul's letters reflect the use of dialogue, and finally we shall consider the Gospel of John as a source for dialogue. The essay will close with some brief conclusions.

Weekly Round-Up: Bahá’í in Uganda, Prosperity Gospel, African Doctrine of Christ, Proclaiming the Gospel, and 12 Mission Theses

Here's this week's round-up:

1) Eshban Kwesiga, "My visit to the Bahá’í Temple: The beauty and the rumours" in the Sunday Monitor newspaper (Uganda). This reporter recounts a recent visit to the Bahá’í temple in Uganda, the only one in all of Africa. The result is a brief introduction to the history of the Bahá’í and their local temple.

2) Kakaire A. Kirunda, "False Spiritual Healing Threatening Fight Against HIV/Aids - Experts" in the Daily Monitor newspaper (Uganda). Another example of prosperity gospel preachers conning people out of their money and health.

3) "Living on the Seam of History 3: African Christology" on the Koinonia blog. I am really enjoying this series so far! Their latest post is on the development of the doctrine of Christ in Africa.

4) Nii Amoo Darku, "The Verbal Proclamation of the Gospel" in the Lausanne World Pulse (October 2008). A Ghanaian pastor explains the centrality in our faith of proclaiming the gospel. I greatly appreciate the insights of this African church leader!

5) Andreas J. Köstenberger, "12 Theses on the Church’s Mission in the Twenty-First Century" on the Biblical Foundations blog. Well known American evangelical scholar Köstenberger provides some important and much-needed reflections on the church's mission today.

Weekly Round-Up: Prosperity Gospel in Africa, Religious Pluralism--Pro and Con

Here's this week's round-up:

1) Michael Njuguna, "Preachers hit out at prosperity gospel" in the Daily Nation newspaper (Kenya). Here is a news report on African pastors coming together to counter the false prosperity gospel.

2) Jaffer Senganda, "We should promote religious pluralism" in the New Vision newspaper (Uganda). A Ugandan Muslim arguing for religious pluralism? Yes--according to him we should reconcile our religious teachings so that conflicts can be prevented. While I completely agree with his desire to overcome religious persecution, his solution would force us to compromise our faith.

3) Harold Netland, "One Lord and Savior for All? Jesus Christ and Religious Diversity" (in PDF format) on the Carl F.H. Henry Center for Theological Understanding web site. Netland is one of the best evangelical scholars out there dealing with the theology of religions, and this paper refutes religious pluralism by showing the uniqueness and supremacy of Christ. I may disagree with Netland regarding those who have never heard the gospel (you can listen to my recent sermon on this question), but his article is still very helpful.

Sermon: "What About Those Who Have Never Heard?"

On August 31st, I had the privilege of opening the Word of God before my home congregation at Parkwood Southern Baptist Church. Below is the audio and outline of my sermon. I pray that God will use this message to further His kingdom around the globe!

• Romans 10:14-17, "What About Those Who Have Never Heard?" (MP3 download, 46:37)

I. One Hope: The Gospel, vv. 14-15aA. Four Questions
B. Three Misunderstandings1. God
2. Humanity
3. The GospelII. One Method: Missions, vv. 15b-16A. Beautiful Feet
B. RejectionIII. One Way: Faith, v. 17

Weekly Round-Up: Witchcraft in East Africa, Wright on the Olympics, and an Interview with Sills

Here's this week's round-up:

1) Caroline Njung'e, "You’ll be mine forever" in the Saturday Nation newspaper (Kenya). This article exposes the sad but growing popularity of witchdoctors who are being consulted by desperate Kenyan women looking for help.

2) "My rendezvous with a 'cultural consultant'" in the Daily Monitor newspaper (Uganda). Another report from Uganda on witchcraft, where a woman explains her visit to a local witchdoctor. As can be seen from these first two articles, witchcraft and sorcery are alive and well in East Africa.

3) Christopher J. H. Wright, "The Olympics, Lausanne III, and the New Creation" on the Koinonia blog. Wright reflects upon the recent Olympics and relates what was seen to the beauty of the global body of Christ. What wonderful joy we have as God's kingdom expands around the world through the gospel of Christ!

4) Terry Delaney, "Interview with Dr. Sills," Part I and Part II, on the Said at Southern blog. Dr. Sills was my missions teacher while at seminary and I always find what he has to say to be insightful. This interview is no exception. Now I just need to get a hold of a copy of his new book, The Missionary Call!

Weekly Round-Up: Judaism in Uganda, Syncretism in Nigeria, New Missions Audio, and Reflections on South Africa

Here's this week's round-up:

1) Daniel Edyegu, "Judaist leader installed in Mbale" in the New Vision newspaper (Uganda). Is Judaism in Africa? Yes. And the first black Rabbi in East Africa will lead about 800 followers in Uganda.

2) Laurie Fortunak, "Dual Allegiance" in Christianity Today (August 2008). Here is a deeply troubling account of a pastor in Nigeria practicing syncretism (or as the article prefers to call it, dual allegiance). According to this report, one former missionary in West Africa said, "One out of 10 self-named Christians in this region practices only Christianity."

3) HBC Missions Conference 2008 Audio. The conference may be over, but you can still listen to these timely and important messages on missions. Be sure to listen to Conrad Mbewe, a pastor in Zambia (of course, this is after you listen to my interview with Isaac Makashinyi from Zambia!).

4) Jonathan Leeman, "4 final thoughts about time in South Africa" on the 9 Marks Blog. Some of the 9 Marks guys were recently in South Africa and have been blogging about there time there. I have really been blessed by their posts, but this wrap up says much about Christianity in Africa today.

Weekly Round-Up: Pentecostal Problems, AIDS in Uganda, and Defining Mission

Here's this week's round-up:

1) Stephen Bwire, "Pentecostal theatrics thrive under fear" in the Weekly Observer newspaper (Uganda). Yet another African sees the rampant corruption of the prosperity gospel in Uganda. He writes, "The list of incidences such as these is endless. The curtain on these theatrics in some of the Pentecostal churches is in dire need of coming down." Yes, this false health-and-wealth gospel must be countered with the true gospel of Jesus Christ!

2) Sam L. Ruteikara, "Let my people go, AIDS profiteers" in Baptist Press. I don't know how I originally missed this piece in the Washington Post, but Baptist Press has thankfully picked it up. Ruteikara writes about the problem of AIDS in Uganda and shows how political maneuvering is preventing true solutions from stopping its spread.

3) "What did I do today?" on the Sheltons in Uganda blog. This link is a little more personal, but we love the Shelton family and are thankful that they are serving Christ in Uganda. They were even gracious enough to allow us to stay with them on our recent trip! In any case, if you've never dealt with the traffic in Kampala, you'll be amazed at this post and pictures. Let's just say that there is no such thing as defensive driving in Uganda.

4) Keith Ferdinando, "Mission: A Problem of Definition" in Themelios Journal (in PDF format). I am excited to see Themelios back in print, especially under the general editorship of D.A. Carson. In this article, an African scholar shows the need to keep the priority of missions work as making disciples. Since many today are diminishing the centrality of preaching the gospel through the language of holism, this article is indeed an important one.

Weekly Round-Up: Ugandan Preaching, the State of Apologetics, A Theologically-Driven Missiology, and Witnessing to Mormons

Here's this week's round-up:

1) Caroline Mbabazi, "The good old sermon" in the Sunday Monitor newspaper (Uganda). Wow. A woman writes about how poor preaching usually is in Uganda, appealing to Creflo Dollar, Joyce Meyer, T.D Jakes, and Rod Parsley as good examples. How desperately churches in Uganda need to grow in biblical knowledge and discernment!

2) William Lane Craig, "God Is Not Dead Yet: How current philosophers argue for his existence" and "Recommended Reading: Books on the existence of God;" Troy Anderson, "A New Day for Apologetics" in Christianity Today (July 2008). Finally, an issue of Christianity Today magazine focusing on the defense of our faith. Whatever one may think of Craig's methodology, these articles are very helpful. I pray that a growing interest in apologetics will spread to East Africa!

3) Bruce Ashford, "A Theologically-Driven Missiology," Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 on the Between the Times blog. Ashford is a professor at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary who is writing a series of blog posts for Southern Baptists on the relationship between theology and missions. So far he has covered Revelation, the Triune God, and Christ. While I just came across this series, I am very impressed so far. He says, "Our tendency is to affirm Christian Scripture as being inspired by God and without error, and then to ignore Christian Scripture in forming our strategies and methods. It is as if we are saying that 'what' we believe about God is important, but 'how' we practice is not. We think that we can 'bank on' inerrancy and then do whatever we’d like." May many more missionaries see the importance of theology in their service to God.

4) Brett Kunkle, "Getting Mormons to Explain Why," Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 on the Stand to Reason YouTube page. A must-watch video series on witnessing to Mormons. As a former Mormon myself, I heartily recommend it.

Weekly Round-Up: Greedy Pastors, Ugandan Church Life, a Reward, and a Missions Conference

Here's this week's round-up:

1) Robert Wabomba, "Pastor expels poor worshippers" in the New Vision newspaper (Uganda). Sometimes the greed of prosperity gospel preachers is ridiculously obvious. This news report is yet another example.

2) Caroline Mbabazi, "The harsh reality of today’s modern church" in the Sunday Monitor newspaper (Uganda). A cynical look at church life in Uganda. Unfortunately, what she writes is too often true.

3) Patrick Jaramogi, "1000 Cups receives international award" in the New Vision newspaper (Uganda). This story is on the lighter side of things. But I have previously mentioned my new favorite coffee shop, 1000 Cups in Uganda. Now they have received the first Africa Agribusiness Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Way to go!

4) Heritage Baptist Church Missions Conference 2008, "Christian Imperialism: Extending the Kingdom of Christ through the Foolishness of the Cross." While I will not be able to participate in this conference next month, I would encourage anyone who can attend to register now. With Conrad Mbewe and Paul Washer as speakers, this will not be an event to miss.

Weekly Round-Up: Ahmadiyya Muslims, Ugandan Anglicans, a Reformed Podcast, and the Dollar's Impact on Missions

Here's this week's round-up:

1) "Ahmadiyya Muslims to mark 100 years" in the New Vision newspaper (Uganda). Have you ever heard of Ahmadiyya Islam? Many Muslims around the world would not consider it true Islam, but it is very active internationally and has a presence in Uganda. At the end of this month, the Ahmadiyya Muslim community will be celebrating their 100th year of existence in Kampala, the nation's capital.

2) "Anglican Men's Weekend" on AnglicanTV.org. This site now has videos of Ugandan Anglican leaders speaking at a men's conference. If you are not familiar with Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi, you should be.

3) "Christ the Center: Doctrine for Life" on the Castle Church web site. I was recently made aware of this podcast and have already become a big fan. Their regular discussions are very informative. What is its purpose? "Christ the Center: Doctrine for Life is an audio program centered on Christian reformed theology. In each episode a group of informed panelists discuss important issues and stimulate listeners to critical thinking and a better understanding of reformed doctrine designed to yield godly living."

4) J. Shaw, "The Effect of the Dollar on the American Missionary Sending 'Enterprise'" in the Lausanne World Pulse (May 2008). While many Christians may not realize it, the weakening of the dollar really impacts international mission work. This article helps to explain what a weak dollar means for missionaries and mission agencies. And if you want to see the relative worth of the dollar in Uganda over the last several months, check out Yahoo! Finance.

Weekly Round-Up: Uganda Ministry, James White and Islam, Christian Counterfeits, and the Lausanne Movement

Here's this week's round-up:

1) John Divito, "Advancing Biblical Discernment in Uganda" on the ACFAR Blog. OK, OK, so I am shamelessly promoting our ministry. But this was my first blog post since returning from Uganda. I hope that you will be as encouraged as we are when seeing the many ways God blessed us. At the same time, don't forget to look for several more reflections in upcoming weeks. Let's face it: defending the faith in East Africa has never been more important!

2) Abraham Piper, "What Is RSS? A Step-by-Step Guide to Google Reader" on the DesiringGod blog. Do you want to save time while surfing the Internet and reading blogs? Do you not know how to subscribe to a blog? Do you have no idea what a "RSS feed" is? Do you wonder what that funny looking orange square is? Then you must read Abraham Piper's introduction to RSS. Once you've read it and are ready to get started, subscribe to our blog at this address: http://feeds.feedburner.com/AcfarBlog

3) "An Interview with James White" on the Grace to You web site. Not only has James White had a major influence on my spiritual growth and development, but he has recently focused his ministry to critically interact with Muslims. Given the rapid growth of Islam throughout Africa (more about Islam in Uganda on Monday!), you should definitely listen to this four-part interview.

4) Jeff Downs, "A Biblical Approach to Christian Counterfeits" on the Resource Index web site. You'll need to scroll down to the bottom of Jeff's page to find the audio files, but make sure to download these files as they are added. I only wish that more Sunday School classes were taught on this vital issue!

5) Samuel Escobar, "Building a Solid Theological Foundation for Mission Policy and Praxis" in the Lausanne World Pulse (May 2008). A look at the beginning and continued relevance of the Lausanne Movement. Escobar provides a helpful summary of both the insights and challenges faced today in global missions.