Cross-cultural engagement was frequent during the long history of missionary action. In the modern times cross-cultural engagement is a topic of many debates and discussion as the world undergoes globalizations and many cultures and religions interact with each other. Therefore, it is important to learn the history of missionary movement and seek examples of cross-cultural interactions and the way missionaries acted within these circumstances. The successful examples could teach us many lessons about God and his will and role in life of people. Hence, the paper discusses the historical cases of cross-cultural engagement in the missionary action.
In the early modern Atlantic realm, missionaries were frequently the authors who wrote the most frequently on non-European peoples and cultures. Their sources have so proven to be crucial for early modernists. In order to gain insight into a wide range of subjects, including native history, the history of religion, labor history, environmental history, the history of the African diaspora, and the history of capitalism, historians have been examining missionary encounters and the sources they inspired for decades. Although missionary materials are frequently used, the majority of research on the encounters themselves focuses on either a specific religion or a specific area. Within a single book or monograph, the remarkably strong barrier between Protestant and Catholic missions is rarely overcome. This unique edition of a book aims to bridge these gaps. This collection raises fresh queries regarding the significance of missionary contacts in the early modern era by establishing linkages across denominations and empires.
With the dissemination of the gospel across the world due to the expansion of the missionary activity in the 19th century, the world underwent a significant shift. Christianity enhanced the dynamics of evangelical Protestantism, which was crucial in the nineteenth-century work of Baptist Mission Society (B.M.S.) on internal growth and nation-building as well as its engagement with India’s diverse socio-religio-political culture. Though the globalization, missionary movement gave rise to numerous missionary societies, these societies in turn moved forth and had an influence on the world and brought about a fundamental social revolution in various nations.
There is an inextricable connection between missions and transformation that they bring. Through the missions of God, those who uphold the word of God alter the world. The basis of any revolution is crucial, and this is how the reformers went back to the source and fundamentally altered society by dismantlimg racial and educational barriers. Whatever their position, Christians may serve as agents of restoration and transformation by upholding the truth of the Bible and working to eliminate everything that goes against Christian principles. The Bible should be used practically and shown in all aspects of daily life, rather than just being a theoretical statement. Christian must serve as an educator, mentor, and catalyst for change in the world.
Overall, the experience of missionaries teaches us about the ultimate love of God. Missionary action is a manifestation of God’s desire of unity, love and harmony between all human beings. Therefore, missionaries are guided by God’s will, and their actions should be manifestations of the divine patience, love and grace. When engaging with other cultures, it is important to respect their traditions, while keeping and open heart to both people and God. In addition, it is important to remember about the ultimate goal of the missionary action – to promote unity and love of God.