Missiology has always been inspired by soteriology, that is, Christian views of salvation. However, little is known about the actual soteriological beliefs of missionary practitioners. This article is an explorative qualitative study of soteriological beliefs among Dutch Protestant ministers who work in pioneer settings (N=20) and established churches (N=40). Our research shows that, contrary to what might be expected, these two groups (termed ‘pioneers’ and ‘pastors’) are very much alike with regard to their soteriological beliefs. The majority are convinced of the uniqueness of Jesus, and the connection of salvation with God and/or Jesus – even if this salvation is often expressed in immanent terms. Only two differences have been found between pastors and pioneers. Pioneers experience more challenges in communicating the uniqueness of Christianity and they are more likely to have traditional views of ‘eternal lostness’.
Evangelicalization within the Churches: An Interim Balance to Initiate a Discussion. The article sums up the situation of the Evangelicals in the Netherlands in general and specifically within established Protestant churches. Is discusses indications of a more communicative Evangelicalism. There are two social forma in which evangelicals currently seem to do better than mainline Protestants: encouraging small intensive group-interactions on the one hand, and a productive alternation between the regular local church life and special spiritual events involving with believers from other places, on the other hand. It is not clear at the moment, however, to what degree these social forms actually are specific to evangelical spirituality or not.
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