Individual identity is determined by a fourfold net of coordinates: by internal and external aspects, via a way, and by time. Thus also Christian mission. The internal aspect consists of the mystery of God which via Dei, sending His son, becomes an ?open secret?. Mission is an invitation to God's friendship. Such an invitation can only, happen with liberty, since it respects the liberty of an individual to decide for or against a religion. Those who decide against mission decide against the liberty of the individual; against a basic human right. The way of mission leads one into the variety, of contexts which is Christianity; leads one into the plurality of charisms, but not into a pluralist theology, of religion. Mission happens in time, happens ?with an eye to Last Things? (W. Freytag). Mission is characterized by ?watertight hope?. Jesus's proclamation of the Kingdom of God speaks futurum praeveniens, which means that it is not we who build the Kingdom of God, but God's Kingdom that ?builds us?.

Enthalten in:
Theologische Literaturzeitung; 2002/Nr.12 Monatsschrift für das gesamte Gebiet der Theologie und Religionswissenschaft (2002)

---

Serie / Reihe: Theologische Literaturzeitung

Personen: Sundermeier, Theo

Schlagwörter: Mission Identität Christentum Hoffnung Pluralismus