RECONCILIATION AND THE NEW IDENTITY IN CHRIST: PNEUMATOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES OF CHRISTIAN MISSION IN ITS THIRD MILLENNIUM

Stimulated by the theme of the 2008 International Association for Mission Studies' general conference on "Human Identity and the Gospel of Reconciliation", the article first screens the respective biblical terminology and texts and then ponders general theological considerations of the topic. In a third part, missiological implications that arise are shown and conclusions drawn for an appropriate contemporary missionary attitude. Reconciliation and identity are oftentimes mutually exclusive since the quest for national and cultural identity has the potential to turn into violent clashes. However, the new identity in Christ taken on in baptism and faith implies the realization by people of their reconciliation with God by God and, by this, with everyone else. The implications of this new identity challenge established perceptions of justice and call everyone to live accordingly. Since Christian faith will only be known when it is shared, mission today has to be lived advocacy for the spirit of God as embodied in Jesus Christ and carried out in a truly kenotic attitude that is also prepared to endure marginality and vulnerability as expressions of its eschatological nature.