Thorsten Prill Libri

The book explores the inadequate understanding of the Holy Trinity in German-speaking Lutheran and Reformed churches, where worship often emphasizes God the Father and God the Son, neglecting the role of the Holy Spirit. It highlights how this limited perception has historical roots in German Protestant theology, tracing back to the Reformation. The author examines the implications of this theological gap on worship practices and the overall faith experience of congregants, calling for a more balanced recognition of the triune God in church life.

Focusing on the role of theological education in southern Africa, this collection features essays by faculty from the Namibia Evangelical Theological Seminary. Contributors explore critical themes such as equipping Christians for ministry, the influence of modern heresies like prosperity gospel, and the historical context of evangelism through the lens of notable theologians. Additionally, the essays delve into the relationship between globalization and mission, aiming to enhance the understanding of God’s mission in the region and beyond.

The book explores the diverse and often conflicting interpretations of the gospel among missionaries and church leaders in Africa and Europe, influenced by postmodernism, feminism, and liberation theology. It raises critical questions about cooperation and motivation in ministry when beliefs about the gospel and submission differ. The first part critiques false gospels encountered in missions, emphasizing the biblical gospel's transformative power. The second part addresses submission, authority, and accountability in missionary relationships, offering biblical insights to prepare all stakeholders for effective cross-cultural service.

The research paper examines the xenophobic violence against immigrants in South Africa, particularly in 2008, arguing that biblical teachings reject racism and advocate for acceptance across ethnic and social lines. It explores the implications of biblical perspectives on migrants and encourages Christians to embody these principles within their communities. Authored by Dr. Thorsten Prill, a lecturer in theology at Namibia Evangelical Theological Seminary, the work aims to foster a deeper understanding of the Bible's stance on inclusivity and compassion.

The book examines the contributions of key Protestant Reformers, including Martin Luther, John Calvin, and others, to the concept of mission within Christianity, countering the notion that they neglected this aspect. By analyzing their writings and actions, it reveals their commitment to practical mission work and highlights their significant missiological insights. This study challenges the prevailing criticism of the Reformers, emphasizing their role in advancing the mission mandate established by Christ.

The book explores the challenges faced by Christians in the UK when ministering to asylum seekers and refugees, particularly regarding their integration into existing church communities versus the establishment of independent refugee churches. It offers a missiological perspective on these options, supported by two social research projects: one analyzing the life of two established minority ethnic churches, and the other examining the integration process at a British church active in refugee ministry for nearly ten years.

For a long time, African mission history has been equated with the history of Western missionaries on the African continent. However, Christian mission in Africa was never an exclusively Western enterprise. On the contrary, as Blessing Chishanu and Thorsten Prill in their articles on African Initiated Churches and African pioneer missionaries show, African Christians made significant contributions to the growth of the African church. That Western missionaries even hindered that kind of growth at times is demonstrated by Anthony Brendell who compares the approaches of two European mission societies. While the Finnish Missionary Society that worked among the Ovambo people in the north of Namibia fostered indigenous church leadership, the majority of Rhenish missionaries from Germany struggled to transfer the work to Herero, Nama and Baster Christians in the central and southern parts of the country. The same kind of ambivalence can be seen in the treatment of African women by Western Protestant missionaries in Southern Africa. Thorsten Prill shows that the role missionaries played as catalysts for the liberation of African women was rather complex. Some missionaries played their part in the subordination of women. Others, however, promoted gender equality by providing refuge, education and opportunities for African women to become decision-makers and agents of change. In his final article, Thorsten Prill identifies both the lack of cross-cultural training and first-hand cross-cultural experience as the main reasons for the mistakes many Protestant missionaries made in Africa in the second half of the 19th century. Because of their deficiencies in cultural intelligence missionaries underestimated cultural barriers which resulted in misunderstanding and miscommunication between them and the indigenous African population.

Das Buch untersucht die über 100 deutschsprachigen evangelischen Auslandsgemeinden, die mit der EKD verbunden sind. Es beleuchtet die Beweggründe für den Aufbau und den Beitritt zu diesen Gemeinden sowie die Herausforderungen und Chancen, die sie außerhalb Deutschlands erleben. Zudem werden verschiedene Modelle von Auslandsgemeinden vorgestellt und deren biblische Beurteilung thematisiert. Ziel ist es, ein tieferes Verständnis für die Dynamiken und die Vielfalt dieser Gemeinden zu entwickeln, die sowohl klassische Migranten- als auch Minderheitengemeinden umfassen.

Die Forschungsarbeit untersucht die Auswirkungen globaler Migrationsströme auf die weltweite Kirche, insbesondere durch die Entstehung von Diasporagemeinden in Europa und anderen Regionen. Sie beleuchtet die Motivationen von Christen, die solche Migrations- und Minderheitengemeinden gründen oder ihnen beitreten, sowie die damit verbundenen Herausforderungen und Chancen. Zudem wird eine biblisch-historische Perspektive auf diese Gemeindeformen angeboten. Die Arbeit zielt darauf ab, ein tieferes Verständnis für die Dynamiken und die Bedeutung dieser Gemeinden im Kontext der modernen Migration zu entwickeln.