There is no date on any of the pages, but recently I ran across the outline for a book that at one point I had hoped to write. The tentative title was An Apology for Christian Mission in the Modern World: The Particularistic/Universalistic Paradox. 

The outline I drafted for the book appears below. Reading through it makes me sad that because of the pressure of other responsibilities I was not able to do any more on this book other than make the outline. It could have been a good book, I think. But perhaps my teaching and administrative activities made more of a contribution to individuals and the school system than a book with a fairly limited audience would have.

Preface

1. Who Is Writing?
   • My vocational situation (missionary by call, choice, & commitment
   • My educational background (Christian philosophy / apologetics; dissertation on the meaning of paradox)
   • My social concern (Christian social ethics).
2. Why Is This Written?
   • The problem
   • An attempt to justify my commitment and my career; many others as well; who we are & who support missionaries; an apology for missionaries.
   • How Will This Be Done?
   • A paradoxical understanding is a way to solve the problem
   • A contribution I can make: no conflict between being a missionary & working with others, dialogue, recognizing God’s universal love, tolerance, etc.
3. How Would This Be Done?
   • Ch. 1 – The Problem
   • Chs. 2-5 – Positive & Negative Analyses
   • Chs. 6-7 – The Paradoxical Situation
   • Chs. 8-10 – Some ramifications

I. The Problem

1. The Fact of Plurality
2. The “Failure” of Christianity
3. The Results
   • Condemnation of others, conflict, divisiveness
   • Rejection of evangelism, cross-cultural mission

II. The Truth of Particularism (Uniqueness)

1. The Meaning of Particularism
2. Jesus as the Special Revelation of God
3. The Decisiveness of Christ (Braaten: Jesus Christ is “the concrete embodiment of universal meaning.”)

III. The Falsity of Particularism (Uniqueness)

1. Ethnocentric/Religious Pride
2. Intolerance (religious wars, racial & cultural prejudice/discrimination
3. Exclusiveness (divisiveness)

IV. The Falsity of Universality

1. The Meaning of Universality
2. The Error of Relativism
3. The Rejection of Special Revelation & the Decisiveness of Christ

V. The Truth of Universality

1. The Creator God
2. The Cosmic Christ

VI. The Category of Paradox

1. The Meaning of Paradox
2. The Promise of Paradox
3. Beyond Either/Or Logicality

VII. The Particularism/Universalism Paradox

1. Affirming the Truth of Both
2. Rejecting the Errors of Both
3. Maintaining the Balance

VIII. The Place of Dialogue

1. The Meaning of Dialogue
2. The Value of Dialogue
3. The Limitations of Dialogue

IX. The Place of Ecumenicity

1. Mutual Respect
2. Mutual Sharing
3. Mutual Action (Cooperation)

X. The Place of Witness

1. Humility in Approach
2. Boldness in Word & Deed
3. Faithfulness to Christ