The Outrageous Idea of the Missional Professor by Paul M. Gould


The Outrageous Idea of the Missional Professor
Title : The Outrageous Idea of the Missional Professor
Author :
Rating :
ISBN : -
Language : English
Format Type : Kindle Edition
Number of Pages : 150
Publication : First published November 3, 2014

The outrageous idea of this book is that God wants to use professors as professors to reach others, transform the academy, and meet the needs of the world. God is on a mission to redeem and restore this fallen world, and as members of one of the most influential institutions in society, Christian professors in the university play an import- ant role in that mission. Becoming a missional professor will require a clear vision of God's heart for the lost as well as humankind's purpose and calling under the banner of Christ, an understanding of the significance of the university as a cultural shaping in- stitution and mission field, and a desire for Christian wholeness in a fragmented world. This idea is outrageous because many Christian professors struggle to live missionally and need a clear vision of such a life as well as role models to lead the way. Many pro- fessors already living missional lives need encouragement to "excel still more" (1 Thess 4:10). We all need God's grace and mercy as we try to faithfully follow Christ within the university.Paul M. Gould (PhD. Purdue University) teaches philosophy and apologetics at Oklahoma Baptist University and is the founder and president of the Two Tasks Institute.D. Keith Campbell (PhD. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) is Global Partnerships Vice President at Global Scholars.Li Ma (PhD. Cornell University) is Senior Research Fellow at the Henry Institute for the Study of Christianity and Politics at Calvin College.Omar Montero (PhD. Candidate, University of Buenos Aires) is Associate Professor and Researcher for Undergraduates and Postgraduates in the Architectural and Design Department at the University of Buenos Aires.Granville W. Pillar (PhD. University of Newcastle) is Associate Professor of Philology at Ferenc Ra´ko´czi II Transcarpathian Hungarian Institute, Ukraine.Osam Edim Temple (PhD. University of Ibadan) is former Professor of Philosophy at the American University of Nigeria and Special Advisor to the Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.Bee-Lan C. Wang (PhD. University of Chicago) taught at the Science University of Malaysia, Northern Illinois University, and Wheaton College (Illinois).

The Outrageous Idea of the Missional Professor Reviews

  • Frank Peters

    This is an excellent book design for a small audience (that I happen to fit into). It is an encouragement for professors who want to follow Jesus to also live in a missional manner. Much of the book provide the good strong arguments for this type of lifestyle, while the remainder seeks to provide examples of how this can be done. The latter part makes a valiant attempt but doesn’t quite get there. The authors tried to cover an international flavour, from Asia, through Africa and Europe, while also attempting to cover Arts through Sciences and Engineering. This range is unfortunately far too large to do any justice with how one might life missionally through their field of study. The book unfortunately suffers from some poor (sloppy?) editing. In the later chapters and the conclusion, the references to chapters were off by one. So, when the text referred to Chapter 8, it referred to material in Chapter 7. This was unfortunate, and only mildly distracting. Ultimately, the book seeks to encourage, but provides too few practical examples of how one can actually live and work as a missional professor. I suppose it is encouraging discussion groups to flesh out more concrete ideas.

  • Keith Brooks

    Great stuff. I wonder how much of this is limited by an American context. I could see Prof's at Canadian schools getting turfed for what he recommends. But, maybe not. I also wonder how much this "missional" framework translates to more blue-collar work. Seems difficult. I did really enjoy it. Chapters 7 and 8 are worth the price of the book. Recommended.