RT Article
T1 Shifting Identities and the Mission ofthe Church
JF Toronto journal of theology
VO 24
SP 89
OP 100
A1 Shepherd, Loraine MacKenzie 1958-
LA English
YR 2008
UL https://ixtheo.de/Record/1961421763
AB In honour of Harold Wells' significant contributions to liberation and critical theology both in Canada and abroad, I offer a critical examination of the identity and mission of "sideline" Protestant denominations within the Canadian context. Although we share a common passion of Christ-inspired justice and social wellbeing, Wells and I differ in our appreciation of postmodern contributions to this peaceable kin-dom on earth. Within this article, I suggest that poststructural and postcolonial theory can help the church understand its own complicity in the marginalization and colonization of the very people it is intending to "help." I will begin with a portrait of the mission of the modem, mainstream Protestant church, followed by an examination of the effects of this mission. I will then offer a poststructural analysis of the church's mission based on questions of individual and communal identity. I wi11look at how these questions can transform the Church and suggest a vision for the postcolonial church in our Canadian context.
DO 10.3138/tjt.24.suppl_1.89