Introduction: God’s Mission as Word-Event in the Public Sphere and World Christianity

Abstract

Christian theology is a critical hermeneutical science of the Word of God that becomes a discipline in service of Christian faith and the proclamation of the living Word of God. Insofar as theology is a question about the God who speaks through the Scripture and in the church, there is a hermeneutical circle between theology and the ecclesial sphere. Theology arises from the practice of the church and constitutes its practical-missional needs. Christian theology, based on the Word of God and sacraments of ecclesial life, brings a universal message of the gospel and a special life of communion, fellowship, and diakonia together into the life of public sphere. An ecclesial dimension of theology is furnished with a special commission to the public sphere. Communion, fellowship, and diakonia mark the missional nature of the church located within the civil community. The Holy Spirit imparts faith and guidance for a life of Christian community as a serving church. Here it is essential to consider the missional character of the Word of God.