A Missional Orthodoxy: Theology and Ministry in a Post-Christian Context - eBook

Gary Tyra (DMin, Fuller Theological Seminary) is professor of biblical and practical theology at Vanguard University of Southern California. Formerly the chair for the department of religion at Vanguard, Tyra also has over twenty-five years of pastoral experience including his last position as senior pastor at Yorba Linda Community Church in Yorba Linda, California. Tyra is the author of and , as well as numerous published papers and articles. He and his wife Patti have two grown children and reside in California.

The question today is how the church can contextualize its message to engage the culture without watering down the gospel. In A Missional Orthodoxy, Gary Tyra calls the church to embrace a vision that is both thoroughly missional and deeply orthodox at the same time. It is a vision that allows the church to steer clear of the common mistakes of overcontextualization on the one hand and irrelevancy on the other. This is an exciting book, filled with thoughtful insights and helpful suggestions on how the church can be all that God has called it to be--a dynamic community of people living for the kingdom and impacting the world around them.
-Jim Belcher,
Knox Theological Seminary

Good missional theology is essential to funding transformative missional movements over the long term. Given the strident voices to the left and the right, we could use more compassionately orthodox guides in the conversation. Gary's new book goes a long way to filling the need.
-Alan Hirsch

Gary Tyra has set himself a daunting task, to develop a theology that is both missional and orthodox. On the whole, he makes an important contribution and enriches the discussion by bringing a Pentecostal perspective into it. He is an orthodox theologian who engages complementary traditions graciously and appreciatively and thus practices what some have called 'a more generous orthodoxy.'
-Darrell L. Guder,
Princeton Theological Seminary

Gary Tyra forges a path for contemporary ministry and discipleship between extremes of neofundamentalism and a new liberalism--both of which are becoming popular and influential, especially among young evangelicals. A Missional Orthodoxy is a powerful explanation and endorsement of a both-and rather than either-or approach to issues facing evangelicals in today's postmodern and post-Christian culture. I cannot recommend it highly enough to evangelicals and others seeking a contextually sensitive faith that avoids overaccommodation to culture.
-Roger E. Olson,
Truett Theological Seminary

A provocative effort to bridge the divide between the evangelical and emerging church worlds by drawing from a missional understanding of a missionary God who is active in the world. Tyra carefully grounds his proposal in a high Christology and then uses Borg and McLaren as conversation partners to work out a centered understanding of the Christian faith in relation to the classic systematic theological loci. The reader will appreciate this fresh approach to reengaging the riches of the Christian tradition.
-Craig Van Gelder,
Luther Seminary

The Christian life is one in which we are called to faithfully witness to the world, making disciples and expanding God's kingdom. In Missional Orthodoxy, Gary Tyra supplies believers with the tools necessary to understand their calling and engage their context. This book is a valuable resource for pastors and laypeople alike.
-Ed Stetzer,
President of LifeWay Research

"[ A Missional Orthodoxy] is an important read for pastors, professors, and students with an interest in missions and evangelism in the modern world."
"The Christian life is one in which we are called to faithfully witness to the world, making disciples and expanding God's kingdom. In Missional Orthodoxy, Gary Tyra supplies believers with the tools necessary to understand their calling and engage their context. This book is a valuable resource for pastors and laypeople alike."
"A provocative effort to bridge the divide between the evangelical and emerging church worlds by drawing from a missional understanding of a missionary God who is active in the world. Tyra carefully grounds his proposal in a high Christology and then uses Borg and McLaren as conversation partners to work out a centered understanding of the Christian faith in relation to the classic systematic theological loci. The reader will appreciate this fresh approach to reengaging the riches of the Christian tradition."
"Gary Tyra forges a path for contemporary ministry and discipleship between extremes of neofundamentalism and a new liberalism—both of which are becoming popular and influential, especially among young evangelicals. A Missional Orthodoxy is a powerful explanation and endorsement of a both-and rather than either-or approach to issues facing evangelicals in today's postmodern and post-Christian culture. I cannot recommend it highly enough to evangelicals and others seeking a contextually sensitive faith that avoids overaccommodation to culture."
"Gary Tyra has set himself a daunting task, to develop a theology that is both missional and orthodox. On the whole, he makes an important contribution and enriches the discussion by bringing a Pentecostal perspective into it. He is an orthodox theologian who engages complementary traditions graciously and appreciatively and thus practices what some have called 'a more generous orthodoxy.'"
"Good missional theology is essential to funding transformative missional movements over the long term. Given the strident voices to the left and the right, we could use more compassionately orthodox guides in the conversation. Gary's new book goes a long way to filling the need."
"The question today is how the church can contextualize its message to engage the culture without watering down the gospel. In A Missional Orthodoxy, Gary Tyra calls the church to embrace a vision that is both thoroughly missional and deeply orthodox at the same time. It is a vision that allows the church to steer clear of the common mistakes of overcontextualization on the one hand and irrelevancy on the other. This is an exciting book, filled with thoughtful insights and helpful suggestions on how the church can be all that God has called it to be—a dynamic community of people living for the kingdom and impacting the world around them."
"This book will also help the readers to explore the various views and to discern for themselves a well-balanced approach that is faithful to both biblical teachings and contextual challenges. For the traditional evangelicals, it will help them to rethink theological and ecclesiological transformation that can reach the unchurched generation of the postmodern and post-Christian context."