Convergence of Evangelism and Interfaith Dialogue: A Missional Reflection

Abstract

The promotion of religious freedom and the general pervasion of pluralism across the globe necessitate the need for Christians to review how they evangelize among people of other faiths and those of no faith. One of the mechanisms that has gained prominence in this regard is the promotion of the concept of interfaith dialogue. This article examines areas of convergence between this concept and evangelism through literature study. Following an interpretive approach, the study determined that both concepts have a distinctive but complementary relationship, both promote mutual respect and consider intercultural communication and contextualization. Written from the Christian faith perspective, the article argues that both evangelism and interfaith dialogue could be used by Christians to further God’s mission in contemporary society. As interfaith dialogue promotes neighborliness, the article recommends that it should be embraced by adherents of all faiths. As it has been written from the perspective of the Christian faith, it further recommends that while evangelical witness should be done with respect for other faiths, evangelizers should not neglect the worth of the commission received from Jesus Christ. These recommendations and those from empirical studies conducted on this topic should be tested through further studies in various contexts. This paper seeks to contribute to existing knowledge in interfaith dialogue and evangelism in the sub-discipline of missiology.

Keywords

• evangelism
• interfaith dialogue
• ecumenical movement
• mission