"The message of the Gospel is existing in an ongoing process of becoming different forms in the world, in different cultures and at different times. The Gospel is in transformation and this is the only way of its existing, whereby its fullness can only be appropriated with every new transformation and will be completed in the eschaton." In this understanding the author compiled several sketches on mission history and missiology, delivered as Lectures and Presentations at the Gossner Theological College Ranchi, Jharkhand, India.
The author traces this diverse process of transformation by using historical sources, which are difficult to access and by sharing his experiences with the Gossner Church in Chotanagpur (now a region in Jharkhand). He brings into limelight a biographical sketch of Father Gossner encasing new aspects of his life and missionary work, the early beginnings of Gossner missionaries, the transformation of the gospel during the first conversion and the development of indigenous music, liturgy etc. The learned work also makes a timely reminder of contentions of Martin Luther, the Father of Reformation.
A synopsis of the struggles of the Adivasis their hopes and aspirations for the intervention of the missionaries to mitigate their sufferings from shackles of poverty, the caste system and land alienation have also been showcased. At last comparative studies made between Johann Hinrich Wichern and Johannes Evangelista Gossner, Birsa Munda and Thomas Muentzer are quite revealing and enlightening.
The impeccable research work is recommended by the Church History Association of India as a must for Historians, Missionaries, Educationists, Church Laity, Church Clergy. Seminaries, Institutions, Students, and all those, who wish to know more about the transformation of the Gospel in the Jharkhand Area.
Rev. Dr. Ulrich Schoentube, born 1973, studied Theology in Berlin. He did his Doctorate in Protestant Art in post- reformation era. From 2007 to 2014, he served as director of Gossner Mission Society. Presently, he is rendering his services as a parish pastor in Berlin and a pastor voluntarily responsible for the association of 250 brass choirs in his church. He has authored several papers on art history and mission theology. He has a teaching assignment at the faculty of Theology at the University of Leipzig.
'Gospel in Transformation' is an inspiring collection of addresses and articles authored and presented on different occasions by Rev. Dr. Ulrich Schoentube. During the period of 7 years, he was the Mission Director of Gossner Mission, Berlin. Dr. Ulrich, as a young, energetic, enthusiastic and cheerful Missions Director travelled widely and at regular intervals, in the mission area and identified himself with the locals as a fellow worker. As a member of the Brass Band Team, he became easily approachable and accessible to a great number of leaders and workers. had the opportunity see him in action during his mission visits and conference deliberations in India and also in his current parish work in Germany and therefore I am pleased to write this foreword.
Dr. Ulrich divides the compilation into 4 sections with a concluding contribution covering the focal areas, namely, 'Biographical Sketches', the 'Lutheran Heritage', 'Social Freedom', and the 'Ecumenical Approaches'.
The author made an investigative research into the life, service and mission of Johannes Evangelista Gossner, the founder of the Mission. He brought into this publication, the various insights of Father Gossner, his passion for preaching the word of God, training of missionaries for ministries overseas, his impact over the lives of the peer groups and the contemporaries, his writings, his love for music and his role in deepening the worship services and not the least, what his associates spoke about him.
The verse from the Letter to the Hebrews, quoted often by Johannes Evangelista Gossner (1773-1858), can be seen in Berlin wherever Gossner had an influence. It is written on a board in the Elisabeth Clinic, which Gossner founded. It is cited on his grave in the "Friedhof am Halleschen Tor" cemetery. Finally, it is engraved in a threshold at the former place of the Mission House in Berlin Friedenau, built by Gossner's successor, Karl Plath (1829-1901). The Bible verse from the Letter to the Hebrews characterises Gossner's belief that Christ is an immutable word of God, shaping the heart of an individual and the world. That is God's Mission. Gossner made here no separation between the oversea and inner mission - the communication of the Gospel as a all around the world and as the work of social welfare within his own community.
**Contents and Sample Pages**
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