A critical hermeneutic examination of the dynamic of identity change in Christian conversion among Muslims in Ethiopia
Munson, Gary Ray
This
research
examines
the
topic
of
the
Christian
mission
to
Muslims
in
Ethiopia.
The
Insider
Movement
paradigm
is
examined
with
respect
to
the
meaning
of
conversion
and
identity
and
how
these
concepts
may
best
be
understood
in
support
of
Muslim
outreach.
The
study
area
of
Ethiopia
is
not
a
Muslim
majority
nation
but
rather
is
pluralistic
society
and
political
system.
Thus
the
most
specific
application
is
other
sub-‐
Saharan,
non-‐Muslim
majority
nations
in
Africa.
The
cultural
and
historical
context
of
Ethiopia
is
first
explored
with
special
reference
to
factors
arising
from
or
focusing
upon
religion.
Literature
is
reviewed
regarding
evangelization,
church
planting,
and
outreach
to
Muslims.
The
concept
of
conversion
is
discussed
at
length
from
both
social
science
and
Christian
theological
paradigms.
The
topic
of
identity
is
explored
including
identity
theory
as
used
among
sociology,
psychology,
anthropology,
and
philosophy.
The
research
was
conducted
and
analyzed
using
concepts
from
the
philosophical
orientation
of
critical
hermeneutics
with
specific
use
of
the
communication
theory
of
Jurgen
Habermas
and
narrative
theory
of
Paul
Ricoeur.
The
narrative
identity
theory
of
Ricoeur
was
found
to
be
appropriate
to
a
mission
to
Muslims.
An
understanding
of
conversion
as
being
a
process
of
transformation
into
Christ-‐likeness
through
the
power
of
the
Holy
Spirit
was
found
to
be
most
compatible
with
Muslim
outreach.
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