by Andrew Lord, Paternoster, (2005). ISBN: 1842272640.
For a tradition that has had such a primary role for mission (loosely understand) the Pentecostal/Charismatic Tradition/s (Lord treats them as co-travellers on the same path) have not been particularly adept and constructing a viable theology of mission. Pentecostal scholarship is however currently on the rise (although still often divorced from the local church context). Speaking from a predominately Anglican-Charismatic perspective Spirit-Shaped Mission aims to assist Pentecostal-Charismatic (hereafter P/C) missiology develop a holistic gospel that is both faithful to the biblical text and P/C tradition while also cognisant of the cultures and changing global balances of religious power (ie. is less Anglocentric).
In part one Lord offers a thumbnail sketch on the primary motifs in P/C missiological thinking. He begins this be offering a brief synopsis of the charismatic concept of mission in the thought of John Wimber and a number of Wimber-influenced British Anglicans such as David Pytches. In the following chapter focuses on the Classical Pentecostal approaches recognising its more christological focus over the charismatic approach as well as its greater individualism. Largely speaking there is nothing really new here whilst some of the emphases are developed further later if you are familiar with the P/C tradition you will not really miss out of this section is skipped over.
It is in section two that Spirit-Shaped Mission gets more interesting and relevant to contemporary missiology. Lord's contention is that a P/C missiology needs to take account five facets: Holism, Experience, Context, Community, and Spirituality. In each of the subsequent chapters Lord assesses each of these in relation to recent thought. In the process of this Lord dialogues with important scholars such as Moltmann, Yong, Chan, (N.T.) Wright and offers some good signposts toward the development of a holistic P/C missiology.
In sum however Lord's analysis, while useful, fails in its aim to present a promising missiology. Whilst the discussion does at times present a compelling argument (the holistic chapter for example) the discussion and investigation is simply not sustained enough to warrant the grand conclusions. I would also state that the while Lord is clear that his is a charismatic missiology the differentiation with classical pentecostalism could have been elaborated further, this could have been particularly useful in his discussion of the voluntary principle.
Overall though while far from being the last word on the subject this is an encouraging volume that is further evidence of the Pentecostal academy's waking from their dogmatic slumber. This would be a good entry text into pentecostal theology's appropriation of missiology to a pneumatological key.
