This profound and thought-provoking book is one of the classics of modern missionary writing. Superficially just a good missionary story, about how one man brought a number of groups of Masai people in east Africa to Christian faith, it is something much more than that. For in what the author says about the method and content of evangelism; the meaning of the eucharist; and the nature of ministry, we are led back to the question our understandings of the mission of the church in all its contexts. For Donovan, his experiences in Africa meant a total reappraisal of the meaning of his faith, and therefore a rediscovery of his Christianity. His book, which is written with moving simplicity, continues to represent a provocative challenge to all those engaged in issues of evangelism and multiculturalism.
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A beautiful and important book for anyone concerned with Christian mission. -- Reconciliation Quarterly
This is one of those rare books which change the way you look at the world. -- Methodist Recorder
This is one of those rare books which change the way you look at the world. -- Methodist Recorder
About the Author
Vincent J Donovan is an American Roman Catholic who conducted pioneer missionary work among the Masai people of Tanzania.
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First Sentence
One would think it would be a fairly simple matter to define missionary work, to describe it, to explain its meaning, its purpose, and the methods by which it must be carried out. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
One would think it would be a fairly simple matter to define missionary work, to describe it, to explain its meaning, its purpose, and the methods by which it must be carried out. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
37 of 38 people found the following review helpful
By David Peddie
Format:Paperback
If you are prepared to lay aside your view that God is an Englishman and that Jesus was a blue-eyed arian, you will be blown away by this book.
Vincent J. Donovan, was a Catholic Missionary in Kenya among the Masai people during the late 60's, and he realised that although they had been there about hundred years and done lots of 'good work', there were virtually no conversions. He realises that all they have done is 'import' their western Chritianity, and he comes to believe that every culture created by God has, withing its own culture, all it needs to believe in Jesus if someone will only tell them. So he started a really radical outreach which blew away all of the traditionally accepted forms of 'mission' and focussed on the communities. He laid out a 5-year plan to reach all of the communities of the Masai and simply tell them about Jesus and Salvation in the context of their own culture rather than a culturally western influenced Christianity. At the end of his 12 month 'telling' he gives them the choice to choose or reject the message. As simple as that. It is a disturbing book in that it lays out quite clearly that pretty much all of 'modern' mission (i.e. the last 150 years) might just have got it all wrong, and in some instances, devastatingly so. A difficult read if you have a rigid mind-set about Christianity and Mission. A revelation otherwise. As I read it I found myself thinking YES, YES, YES. This is what Christianity is all about.
Vincent J. Donovan, was a Catholic Missionary in Kenya among the Masai people during the late 60's, and he realised that although they had been there about hundred years and done lots of 'good work', there were virtually no conversions. He realises that all they have done is 'import' their western Chritianity, and he comes to believe that every culture created by God has, withing its own culture, all it needs to believe in Jesus if someone will only tell them. So he started a really radical outreach which blew away all of the traditionally accepted forms of 'mission' and focussed on the communities. He laid out a 5-year plan to reach all of the communities of the Masai and simply tell them about Jesus and Salvation in the context of their own culture rather than a culturally western influenced Christianity. At the end of his 12 month 'telling' he gives them the choice to choose or reject the message. As simple as that. It is a disturbing book in that it lays out quite clearly that pretty much all of 'modern' mission (i.e. the last 150 years) might just have got it all wrong, and in some instances, devastatingly so. A difficult read if you have a rigid mind-set about Christianity and Mission. A revelation otherwise. As I read it I found myself thinking YES, YES, YES. This is what Christianity is all about.
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful
By Matt Wilson
Format:Paperback
"Suppose you were a missionary and you realised how questionable the whole system was. And yet suppose you believed in Christianity, believed that Christianity has something to say to the world... What then? What would you do?"
I'd hardly got to the end of the first page of this book when I recognised that sinking feeling in my belly. No, not disappointment. It was that feeling of, "Why, why, why did nobody recommend this book to me 10 years ago?!" I've been absolutely gripped by Vincent Donovan's story of reaching out to the Masai of East Africa. Having visited Tanzania last year (and climbed Kilimanjaro with the help of a Masai guide) the descriptions in the book really came to life for me.
But this is far more than a heart-warming tale. Donovan's searing critique of modern missionary methods really struck a chord with me. But anyone can find faults can't they. So what impressed me was the way that Donovan, more lucidly, poignantly and sensitively than anyone else I've come across, distills and translates the Christian message for a new cultural context. Unlike many contemporary missionaries to 'emerging culture' he never plays fast and loose with the gospel. Rather he patiently and faithfully uses the verbal transmission of seed form Christian concepts to grow new redeeming hope in the minds and hearts of those he's called to reach. As the preface to the 3rd edition (2001 by Lamin Sanneh) so ably discusses, this book has huge implications for the church in every global context, especially in the West. So have you read it yet?
I'd hardly got to the end of the first page of this book when I recognised that sinking feeling in my belly. No, not disappointment. It was that feeling of, "Why, why, why did nobody recommend this book to me 10 years ago?!" I've been absolutely gripped by Vincent Donovan's story of reaching out to the Masai of East Africa. Having visited Tanzania last year (and climbed Kilimanjaro with the help of a Masai guide) the descriptions in the book really came to life for me.
But this is far more than a heart-warming tale. Donovan's searing critique of modern missionary methods really struck a chord with me. But anyone can find faults can't they. So what impressed me was the way that Donovan, more lucidly, poignantly and sensitively than anyone else I've come across, distills and translates the Christian message for a new cultural context. Unlike many contemporary missionaries to 'emerging culture' he never plays fast and loose with the gospel. Rather he patiently and faithfully uses the verbal transmission of seed form Christian concepts to grow new redeeming hope in the minds and hearts of those he's called to reach. As the preface to the 3rd edition (2001 by Lamin Sanneh) so ably discusses, this book has huge implications for the church in every global context, especially in the West. So have you read it yet?
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Chris
Format:Paperback
Vincent Donovan's description of his work with the Masai was refreshing for its open reflection of how he faced the searching questions of members of this deeply spiritual African tribe. If anyone needs evidence that God is at work outside the orthodox Christian section of the world's p[opulation, this book will provide it. If only the church today would emulate Vincent's approach!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Creative contextualisation at its best
Vincent Donovan writes with passion and life-experience of what it means to introduce Christ to a people in a way they can understand. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Neil
5.0 out of 5 stars
Still a vital read for mission in any context
Christianity Rediscovered is a classic for good reason. I've spoken to people engaged in all kinds of cross-cultural interfaith or mission work who have this book now in their... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Keith Hebden
4.0 out of 5 stars
Thought provoking, but not what you might expect
In spite of the impression one might get from the title, the book is more about catholicism than christianity. Read more
Published 4 months ago by S. Meadows
5.0 out of 5 stars
Christianity Rediscovered
A book for every Christian looking to see how the rest of the world operates. Gives us a view we all too often disregard. A book for anyone interested in World Mission.
Published 10 months ago by Greensyke
3.0 out of 5 stars
Christianity rediscovered?
Vincent J. Donovan, a Catholic Missionary in Tanzania among the Masai people during the late 60's, realised that although the mission to East Africa had been there for nearly two... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Ottmar B.
5.0 out of 5 stars
mission for our generation?
For a theology book this makes easy reading. If you want to know where modern mission is going wrong then this book will provide some of the answers. Read more
Published 19 months ago by David W.
5.0 out of 5 stars
25 years of sanity - but are we listening?
This book is as relevant as it was all those years ago and it seems at times, that we haven't yet got the message! Read more
Published 23 months ago by Fizz
5.0 out of 5 stars
Exciting Find
Many, many Christians that I've spoken to have already read this but it was a real discovery for me. Read more
Published on 9 April 2011 by Geordie Tintin
1.0 out of 5 stars
STOP BRAINWASHING PEOPLE...
This is just another book on trying to brainwash people. I suggest you watch a Bruce Parry DVD and learn from him; visit and learn from other cultures but RESPECT their... Read more
Published on 4 Oct 2008 by AMN
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely brilliant and humbling
This book describes Vincent Donovan's personal spiritual journey with the Masai and is a rivetting read. Read more
Published on 27 Jun 2008 by Ms. A. C. Borthwick
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