Ministers on Salvation: Soteriological Views of Pioneers and Pastors in the Protestant Church in the Netherlands

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 wor...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Paas, Stefan 1969- (Author) ; Stoppels, Sake (Author) ; Zwijze-Koning, Karen (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Check availability: HBZ Gateway
Interlibrary Loan:Interlibrary Loan for the Fachinformationsdienste (Specialized Information Services in Germany)
Published: 2023
In: Journal of empirical theology
Year: 2023, Volume: 35, Issue: 2, Pages: 119-138
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Protestantse Kerk in Nederland / Pastor / Mission (international law / Faith / Soteriology
IxTheo Classification:CB Christian life; spirituality
KBD Benelux countries
KDD Protestant Church
NBK Soteriology
RB Church office; congregation
RJ Mission; missiology
Further subjects:B Salvation
B Soteriology
B Pioneers
B Ministers
B Pastors
B Mission (international law
B Missiology
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Description
Summary: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’.
ISSN:1570-9256
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal of empirical theology
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1163/15709256-20221434