In her chapter in the Cornerstone textbook, Janine Morgan briefly mentions the career of Lesslie Newbigin, a missionary who served many years in India. When he returned home to England, he realized the Western church was struggling and needed revitalization. He wrote powerfully, calling the church to reengage its mission in the world, and now many present-day church leaders believe his nuanced thinking on the missional church can help Christianity thrive in an increasingly “post-Christian” world.

On the Christianity Today website, you can read an article about Lesslie Newbigin that was published shortly after his birth centenary.

Discussion Questions:

• The author of the article, Krish Kandiah, states that Newbigin challenges us to a bigger view of the gospel. Too often, Kandiah worries, our understanding of the gospel omits, “the Holy Spirit, the church, persecution, obedience, mission, reconciliation, resurrection, and new creation.” Are you missing any of these elements in your understanding of the gospel? In which of these areas is the church the weakest?
• Newbigin argues that the church should not shy away from participating in dialogue in the public sphere. Do you agree? Or, should religion remain a private matter in order to avoid irreconcilable disagreements in public discourse? If the church participates, how should it do so?
• Based on Newbigin’s writings, Kandiah claims that “the unity of the church matters to the mission of the church.” How so? What does he mean by this?

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