This study is driven by the following Hypothesis: Although the intent of the author in including a suggested prayer of response in evangelistic literature may be to help people express their response to the Christian Gospel, a thorough evaluation demonstrates that it could lead to, false impressions as to ,what is involved in conversion, misleading assumptions regarding assurance of salvation, and less professional practices in evangelism. The unique aspect of this study is that it is restricted to evangelistic 'literature published or used in Britain. The historical enquiry makes a fresh contribution to this area of research by revealing that suggested prayers first appeared in British evangelistic literature written by Anglicans in the 1950s. The scholarly investigation engages with the issues raised by the statements of the hypothesis and form the foundation for qualitative research. An analysis of current evangelistic literature asks whether the content and context of suggested prayers could support the hypothesis. This results in mixed conclusions with some indications of how to avoid the negative aspects of the hypothesis. Literature which does not contain a prayer is also examined and it is found possible that this, too, could support the hypothesis. Fourteen writers of evangelistic literature are interviewed. A group of seven who include prayers in their writings are compared with an equal number who do not include prayers. These interviews are facilitated by a questionnaire developed from the findings of the scholarly investigation. These interviews I provided insights and suggestions regarding how evangelistic literature might be improved. The conclusion of this study is that if the practice of including a suggested prayer in evangelistic literature is to be continued safeguards would need to be put in place to that the reader does not misunderstanding the relevance of such a prayer. Therefore, the findings of the qualitative research form the basis for recommendations as to how this might be achieved.

The theological method of Charles Hodge is widely recognized as a major influence on American evangelical theology. Consequently, the merits and liabilities of Hodge’s theology, particularly his epistemological influences, most notably Scottish Common Sense Realism, have made Hodge’s theology and epistemology the focus of much analysis and debate. This present work examines and evaluates three prominent objections to Hodge’s epistemological use of Scottish Realism and its theological effects, with the primary focus on recent criticisms raised by “post-conservatives” based upon postmodern criticisms of the credibility of foundationalism, propositionalism, and realism. The conclusion drawn and defended is that Hodge’s theological method, particularly his use of Scottish Realism, while in need of some modification, is plausible, even in a postmodern context.

This thesis describes the theology and praxis of philosopher/theologian Dr. Dallas Willard and its effect on contemporary forms of evangelicalism in America. Willard’s works have become increasingly attractive to emerging generations of Christians protesting the perceived excesses and hegemony of mainstream evangelical culture. Willard presents a positive alternative to contemporary versions of evangelicalism seen by many as increasingly devoted to soteriological escapism, modern consumerism, individualism and sectarianism. Alternatively, Willard proposes a return to the original (proto) message of good news (evangel) articulated by Jesus in the New Testament. For increasing numbers of disaffected evangelicals with postmodern sensibilities, this protoevangelical vision offers a more robust doctrine of God, a return to the primacy of discipleship to Christ, and the experience of a holistic and integrated life in the Kingdom of God. Ethnographies of four evangelical organizations applying Willardian theology provide insight into the current evolution within American evangelical theology and praxis.

Mission is a central aspect of the Christian faith and much thought is given to the challenge of proclaiming the gospel in a new context or to a different people group (i.e. contextualization). In recent years, a new context has come to the forefront that has been and is being created through technology, namely virtual reality (VR). The purpose of this study is to explore how contextualization, with regards to evangelization, needs to be done in VR. The proposed thesis is that VR provides a new context in which the Christian faith is, or should be, shared in a contextualized way. Although much thought is given to the question of religion in VR, it mostly focuses on the nature of communities online. This study addresses the issue of online evangelization, which has so far received less attention. This doctoral thesis is structured after the empirical-theological praxis cycle of Faix (2007a), and the Policy Delphi Method (PDM) is the research technique used. Through the PDM, a panel of experts from different backgrounds (theologians, sociologists, and practitioners) discussed the various ways in which VR affects evangelization, the way people form their religious identity, and how contextualization could take place. The aim of this research is to contribute to the field of missiology by investigating VR as a new context in which to proclaim the Christian faith. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D. Th.(Missiology)

This thesis examines the missiological writings of Orlando E. Costas (1943-1987), particularly The Church and Its Mission: A Shattering Critique from the Third World (1974); Theology of the Crossroads in Contemporary Latin America (1976); Christ Outside the Gate (1982); and Liberating News: A Theology of Contextual Evangelization (1989). From the early 1970s until his death in 1987 he wrote over 130 articles and 12 books in both Spanish and English that addressed key missiological concerns. A careful reading of a selection of Costas's texts oriented around a hymn, a gospel song, a psalm, and a poem provides the shape of this thesis. This thesis argues that Costas formulated a Third World evangelical missiology. Chapter one investigates what Costas's autobiographical material expressed about his positions on conversion, Protestant evangelicalism, missiology, and those living on the ‘periphery' of life. Chapter two recognises his commitment to the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean in particular and the Third World in general. Chapter three explores Costas's analysis of the Latin American Protestant Church in a revolutionary situation in the continent and chapter four examines his survey and critical appraisal of Latin American liberation theology. Chapter five recognizes the pastoral shape of Costas's missiology. Chapter six explores his critical interaction with two more conservative evangelical missiological positions, the Church Growth Movement and Peter Beyerhaus and the Frankfurt Declaration, and chapter seven surveys the discussion within the international evangelical community regarding the relationship between evangelism and social responsibility. Chapter eight examines Costas's Liberating News as an expression of Third World evangelical missiology. Chapter nine considers the theological issue of penal substitutionary atonement and his missiology. The thesis concludes with an appraisal of the issues and contributions of Costas's Third World evangelical missiology to current missiological discussion.