by Irene Nyambura, WCIU student
This “Reflection” is by a WCIU student responding a question about their personal understanding of the term, “international development.”
Read Moreby Ron and Carolyn Klaus
We stumbled into cross-cultural work late in our lives. Our initial efforts were targeted at the AIDS pandemic because of Carolyn’s medical background and experience in treating people with this disease. It seemed clear to us that the Church is the logical institution to lead the way in dealing with this pandemic. We now believe the Church is the best possible agent, in fact, to do development of all sorts. But today’s Church seems far from doing this, except in a token way. We now believe that only a very different kind of Church will accomplish the radical transformation of vulnerable people that God yearns to bring about as part of his kingdom’s coming.
Read Moreby Paul Hiebert
If religion, anthropologically defined, is at the core of any lasting development, then what is the religion that drives programs of modern secular development? The answer is nationalism. The state does not speak for the cosmos, but for a community of people; it is inherently ethnocentric. … It is a secular religion that promises to satisfy human nature and succeed in its work. … National self-interest wins out over sacrifice for humanity.
Read Moreby Stanley Arumugam
It is only in the past decade that religion has been recognized as critical to ensuring sustainable international development efforts. This article focuses on the significant historical contribution of evangelical Christianity in international development and explores some of the ideological tensions that challenge partnership with secular organizations.
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