They recognize that the Spirit blows where the Spirit wills in ways over which no human being has control (cf. Christians affirm that while it is their responsibility to witness to Christ, conversion is ultimately the work of the Holy Spirit (cf. Such departures call for repentance and remind us of our need for God’s continuing grace (cf. If Christians engage in inappropriate methods of exercising mission by resorting to deception and coercive means, they betray the gospel and may cause suffering to others. In some contexts, living and proclaiming the gospel is difficult, hindered or even prohibited, yet Christians are commissioned by Christ to continue faithfully in solidarity with one another in their witness to him (cf. Christian witness in a pluralistic world includes engaging in dialogue with people of different religions and cultures (cf. For two millennia Christians have sought to follow Christ’s way by sharing the good news of God’s kingdom (cf. The example and teaching of Jesus Christ and of the early church must be the guides for Christian mission. Just as the Father sent the Son in the power of the Holy Spirit, so believers are sent in mission to witness in word and action to the love of the triune God.ģ. Christian witness is always a sharing in his witness, which takes the form of proclamation of the kingdom, service to neighbour and the total gift of self even if that act of giving leads to the cross. For Christians it is a privilege and joy to give an accounting for the hope that is within them and to do so with gentleness and respect (cf. It is hoped that Christians across the world will study this document in the light of their own practices in witnessing to their faith in Christ, both by word and deed.ġ. The purpose of this document is to encourage churches, church councils and mission agencies to reflect on their current practices and to use the recommendations in this document to prepare, where appropriate, their own guidelines for their witness and mission among those of different religions and among those who do not profess any particular religion. This document does not intend to be a theological statement on mission but to address practical issues associated with Christian witness in a multi-religious world. At the same time, it is necessary to do so according to gospel principles, with full respect and love for all human beings.Īware of the tensions between people and communities of different religious convictions and the varied interpretations of Christian witness, the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue (PCID), the World Council of Churches (WCC) and, at the invitation of the WCC, the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA), met during a period of 5 years to reflect and produce this document to serve as a set of recommendations for conduct on Christian witness around the world. Proclaiming the word of God and witnessing to the world is essential for every Christian. Mission belongs to the very being of the church. PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUEĬHRISTIAN WITNESS IN A MULTI-RELIGIOUS WORLD: Christian Witness in a Multi-Religious World: Recommendations for Conduct
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