“Incarnational Ministry” and Christology: A Reappropriation of the Way of Lowliness
By J. Todd Billings Missiology: An International Review 32:2, April 2004 “Incarnational Ministry” has been a significant missiological concept for over two decades. It has earned a place in missiological textbooks, and still spurs debates.[1] Yet, although the notion obviously has Christological roots, there has been little systematic theological reflection on the topic. Certainly, some of this may be due to the variety of ways in which the concept is used. Writers employ it to promote and explain the process of missionary inculturation,[2] criticize the distant missionary compound approach as colonial rather than incarnational,[3] and justify “relocation” as a central principle for urban ministry.[4] In general, this cluster of related yet distinct meanings[5] is justified with a references to two sets of verses: Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be...