A critique of the homogeneous unit principle in light of a practical theology perspective
According to McGavran's theory, people ~like to become Christians without crossing racial, linguistic and class barriers~; therefore, they should not be forced to do so. Instead, churches are encouraged to grow along racial, linguistic, or class lines. The emphasis is on evangelism but this includes both church planting and church renewal. The HUP theory is presented as a real phenomenon which is characteristic of much church development. Its reality as a natural human dynamic is supported with good anthropological data. The debate that has surrounded this controversial perspective is examined both in its historical and current context. Here the HUP theory with regard to sanctification is found to be inadequate and with regard to addressing the moral responsibility of the church in challenging racism is also inadequate. The ~mutual acceptance~ philosophy, an alternative for church development and mission is presented. The key Scripture of Ephesians 2 is examined in detail. A balance of both sanctification and moral responsibility is formulated. Ethnic churches will continue to be developed by the natural causes of sociological elements; but, the church at large, however, must pursue its theological responsibility
Fong, Bruce W.
Philosophy
A critique of the homogeneous unit principle in light of a practical theology perspective. According to McGavran's theory, people ~like to become Christians without crossing racial, linguistic and class barriers~; therefore, they should not be forced to do so. Instead, churches are encouraged to grow along racial, linguistic, or class lines. The emphasis is on evangelism but this includes both church planting and church renewal. The HUP theory is presented as a real phenomenon which is characteristic of much church development. Its reality as a natural human dynamic is supported with good anthropological data. The debate that has surrounded this controversial perspective is examined both in its historical and current context. Here the HUP theory with regard to sanctification is found to be inadequate and with regard to addressing the moral responsibility of the church in challenging racism is also inadequate. The ~mutual acceptance~ philosophy, an alternative for church development and mission is presented. The key Scripture of Ephesians 2 is examined in detail. A balance of both sanctification and moral responsibility is formulated. Ethnic churches will continue to be developed by the natural causes of sociological elements; but, the church at large, however, must pursue its theological responsibility
critique homogeneous unit principle light practical theology perspective according theory people like become christians without cross racial linguistic class therefore force instead church encourage grow along racial linguistic class line emphasis evangelism include church plant church renewal theory present real phenomenon characteristic much church development reality natural human dynamic support good anthropological data debate_surround controversial perspective examine historical current context theory regard sanctification find inadequate regard address moral_responsibility church challenge racism also inadequate mutual acceptance philosophy alternative church development mission present key scripture ephesians examine_detail balance sanctification moral_responsibility formulate ethnic church continue develop natural cause sociological element church large however must pursue theological responsibility