George M Wieland | Carey Baptist College (original) (raw)

Papers by George M Wieland

New Testament Studies, May 28, 2009

On January 12, 2010, a massive earthquake, 7.0 on the Richter scale, hit the capital city of Hait... more On January 12, 2010, a massive earthquake, 7.0 on the Richter scale, hit the capital city of Haiti. The result was horrifying devastation. By conservative estimates, 188,000 buildings collapsed, 230,000 people died, and many more were injured. A year on, World Vision worker Ian Mcinnes reports, "Today rubble fills Port-au-Prince, children bathe in open sewers, cholera is out of control and 1.3 million people who lost their homes a year ago still live in camps run by aid agencies." McInnes goes on to offer a stark contrast: Only four months ago New Zealand faced a similar-sized earthquake. In fact, the Canterbury earthquake was even stronger-registering 7.1 as opposed to 7.0 in Haiti-yet if you live in Auckland you could be forgiven for thinking that everything is back to normal in Canterbury. Only 2737 homes were deemed uninhabitable two weeks after the Canterbury quake and despite the massive shake-up no one died and only two people were seriously injured. 1 The difference between the two experiences exposes the stark disparity that exists in terms of materials, infrastructure, and resources between Haiti, considered one of the world's poorest countries, and New Zealand, rated among the relatively prosperous. Yet subsequent events have shown that such wealth is not a safeguard against disaster. On February 22, 2011, another earthquake hit Christchurch, and this time the effects were much more severe, with

The Evangelical quarterly, Sep 6, 1996

Evangelical Quarterly: An International Review of Bible and Theology

Sin and its Remedy in Paul

Mission Studies

While theologies of missio Dei and their divergent missiological developments have been refined a... more While theologies of missio Dei and their divergent missiological developments have been refined and contested in the academy over the past seven decades, the theoretical discussions and even the term itself are still far from commonplace in the life and discourse of many local congregations. Nonetheless, among such congregations there are examples of changing practice and new modes of local mission engagement that seem to be in alignment with aspects of a missio Dei orientation. In this article the experience of one congregation will be considered, asking whether a missio Dei perspective might be discerned in recent initiatives and developments in its engagement with its local community.

New Testament Studies, 2009

Crete is rarely taken seriously as a plausible actual destination for the NT letter to Titus. Inv... more Crete is rarely taken seriously as a plausible actual destination for the NT letter to Titus. Investigation of Roman Crete, however, yields intriguing points of contact with puzzling features of the letter. Patterns of social organisation on the island correlate closely to the structure of behavioural instruction in Titus 2.1–10, suggesting that it might have been shaped specifically to that environment. Unusual elements of the major theological statements in Titus correspond to aspects of Cretan religion in ways that could represent intentional engagement. There are implications for identifying the letter's provenance and interpreting it as a missionary document.

Carey Baptist College Newsletter, 2020

In the days after the brutal killing of African-American George Floyd and surge of Black Lives Ma... more In the days after the brutal killing of African-American George Floyd and surge of Black Lives Matter protests, Christian pastors ask what they should say to their congregations. George Wieland suggest that a prior question is how and to whom should we listen. Intercultural Bible Reading may offer one way to stop talking and listen to others as the engage with God through the Bible.

observe an apparent imperative

Baptist Magazine 135.4, 2019

The practice of hospitality is an important aspect of participation in the mission of God, but mi... more The practice of hospitality is an important aspect of participation in the mission of God, but mission is mutual. Are we also prepared to surrender the host’s power and become guests, accepting invitations into another's spaces, cultures and lives? That place of initial discomfort could become the space in which we learn together how to be a genuinely intercultural community that reflects God’s saving and reconciling purpose for the world.

Tucker and Habets, eds. What We Love: Reflections on Leadership, Ministry, and Mission: A Tribute to Charles Hewlett., 2017

The theme of making a home may be traced through the Bible's story of the missio Dei. It is sugge... more The theme of making a home may be traced through the Bible's story of the missio Dei. It is suggested that home-making might be considered a mode of participation in God's mission.

Kostenberger and Wilder, eds. Entrusted with the Gospel: Paul's Theology in the Pastoral Epistles , 2010

In three distinct ways the two letters to Timothy and the letter to Titus address challenges faci... more In three distinct ways the two letters to Timothy and the letter to Titus address challenges facing the church and its mission by setting their various situations within a soteriological framework. It is this framework that makes the paraenesis effective, as readers are urged on the basis of soteriological convictions to resist inward-looking, restrictive tendencies within the church and hold to a gospel universal in scope (1 Timothy), to continue faithful in the ministry of the gospel despite opposition and apparent set-backs (2 Timothy), and to nurture missionary communities whose lifestyle would serve as a demonstration of the saving efficacy of the message of God’s grace (Titus). The particular emphases and form of each presentation are thus explicable in terms of three separate situations with their distinct pastoral and missiological challenges.

Torch Trinity Journal, 2011

A reflection on mutual care within God’s transnational household in the light of recent environme... more A reflection on mutual care within God’s transnational household in the light of recent environmental disasters. With its world-affirming depiction of God, our Saviour, who is the creator, life-giver, and benefactor of all, 1 Timothy calls the Christian community to appreciate the gifts of creation and look to God for the needs of this life. The community of believers lives in the present age, not only as a recipient of God’s saving care, but also an active participant in its functioning among themselves and its extension to all. Within that community, there are special dangers for those who “in the present age are rich.” Paul found it necessary to recall them, and his word to the rich recalls us, to genuine trust, true values, generous and respectful sharing, and real life.

Auckland, New Zealand, is a “city of migrants.” In a context of increasing demographic and cultur... more Auckland, New Zealand, is a “city of migrants.” In a context of increasing demographic and cultural diversity the Christian community needs fresh direction and resourcing for mission. The book of Acts narrates a story of mission in which the themes of movement and migration are prominent. A missional hermeneutic that reads the biblical text within the larger story of the mission of God, approaches the text in self-conscious locatedness in a contemporary mission context, and adopts the posture of a participant in the continuing story of mission might have the potential to bring readers into an effective engagement with the biblical text that might orient them towards mission in their context that is coherent with that discovered in the text. Some results of such readings in Auckland are illustrated.

Migration has brought substantial and rapid demographic change to Aotearoa New Zealand. The most... more Migration has brought substantial and rapid demographic change to Aotearoa New Zealand. The most recent national census (2013) reveals 25.2% of NZ’s population, and 39.1% of residents of Auckland, NZ’s largest city, was born overseas. For new migrant communities and more established local populations alike this changed landscape is experienced as a liminal space of discomfort, uncertainty and fear of loss, but also potential for transformation.
The narrative of Cornelius and Peter in Acts 10-11 illustrates the role of liminality and communitas in the transformation of the church that was necessary for it to participate in God’s mission as it crossed new boundaries. What are the possibilities of transformation for New Zealand’s churches if we were to accept invitations from the new margins of immigration to enter liminal space and embrace the potential for change in communitas with those who are already there?

Crete is rarely taken seriously as a plausible actual destination for the NT letter to Titus. Inv... more Crete is rarely taken seriously as a plausible actual destination for the NT letter to Titus. Investigation of Roman Crete, however, yields intriguing points of contact with puzzling features of the letter. Patterns of social organisation on the island correlate closely to the structure of behavioural instruction in Titus .-, suggesting that it might have been shaped specifically to that environment. Unusual elements of the major theological statements in Titus correspond to aspects of Cretan religion in ways that could represent intentional engagement. There are implications for identifying the letter's provenance and interpreting it as a missionary document.

observe an apparent imperative

New Testament Studies, May 28, 2009

The Evangelical quarterly, Sep 6, 1996

Evangelical Quarterly: An International Review of Bible and Theology

Sin and its Remedy in Paul

Mission Studies

New Testament Studies, 2009

Carey Baptist College Newsletter, 2020

observe an apparent imperative

Baptist Magazine 135.4, 2019

Tucker and Habets, eds. What We Love: Reflections on Leadership, Ministry, and Mission: A Tribute to Charles Hewlett., 2017

Kostenberger and Wilder, eds. Entrusted with the Gospel: Paul's Theology in the Pastoral Epistles , 2010

Torch Trinity Journal, 2011

Crete is rarely taken seriously as a plausible actual destination for the NT letter to Titus. Inv... more Crete is rarely taken seriously as a plausible actual destination for the NT letter to Titus. Investigation of Roman Crete, however, yields intriguing points of contact with puzzling features of the letter. Patterns of social organisation on the island correlate closely to the structure of behavioural instruction in Titus .-, suggesting that it might have been shaped specifically to that environment. Unusual elements of the major theological statements in Titus correspond to aspects of Cretan religion in ways that could represent intentional engagement. There are implications for identifying the letter's provenance and interpreting it as a missionary document.

observe an apparent imperative

We begin by briefly considering contemporary debates and migration and religion, looking at liter... more We begin by briefly considering contemporary debates and migration and religion, looking at literature in migration studies, religious studies and theology. We then provide an overview of migrants and migration to New Zealand, noting changes across time and recent Census data. In this section we also note the various responses to migrants in New Zealand, particularly those that see migrants as a threat to a ‘New
Zealand way of life. From there, we turn to the debate about migrants and the “decline” of Christianity in New Zealand and consider whether the debate has merit. Again, we draw on recent Census data to provide a statistical overview of migrants to New Zealand and their religious affiliations, while also noting that these data only give a partial reading at best of religious affiliation and expression. In this section we also consider the role that churches have played and continue to play in assisting toward the settlement of migrants in New Zealand. The next section of this paper turns our attention toward migration in Scripture. Having considered the reality of the ethnic diversification of New Zealand society, how might Christians respond in light of Scripture?

Paper presented to the Australian Association of Mission Studies Conference, Melbourne, 2017

An investigation of references to sin in 1 Timothy suggests that in this letter sin is whatever o... more An investigation of references to sin in 1 Timothy suggests that in this letter sin is whatever opposes or steps out of alignment with God's oikonomia, as expressed both in the Law and in the gospel. The remedy is a realignment to God's saving rule over creation, the world, and the church, and in that enterprise faithful, health-giving teaching is crucial.

Mission Studies, 2020

While theologies of missio Dei and their divergent missiological developments have been refined a... more While theologies of missio Dei and their divergent missiological developments have been refined and contested in the academy over the past seven decades, the theoretical discussions and even the term itself are still far from commonplace in the life and discourse of many local congregations. Nonetheless, among such congregations there are examples of changing practice and new modes of local mission engagement that seem to be in alignment with aspects of a missio Dei orientation. In this article the experience of one congregation is be considered, asking whether a missio Dei perspective might be discerned in recent initiatives and developments in its engagement with its local community, particularly in relationship with Māori.

The face of Christianity in New Zealand is changing. Already diverse, its demographic profile has... more The face of Christianity in New Zealand is changing. Already diverse, its demographic profile has shifted again in recent years as the acceleration of immigration from various Asian source countries has added significant numbers of Asian Christians who worship, engage in mission and develop vital Christian communities. While these may be linked through effective transnational networks with the vigorous expressions of Christianity in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, China, Korea and elsewhere, many Asian Christian groups have been disappointed in the degree to which they have experienced community with the more established New Zealand Christian churches. For their part, traditional Kiwi congregations may be largely unaware of the extent of the presence of Asian Christians in New Zealand, or are uncertain how or even whether to relate to those Christian neighbours.
The New Testament comprises a series of documents reflecting the experience of faith communities in cross-cultural encounter and intercultural engagement. Through an exploration of selected parts of the New Testament where this encounter and engagement is foregrounded resources may be sought for the Christian community in addressing such aspects of its current reality.

The Significance of Salvation: A Study of Salvation Language in the Pastoral Epistles, 2005

These two chapters (from a book that examines each reference to salvation in the Letters to Timot... more These two chapters (from a book that examines each reference to salvation in the Letters to Timothy and Titus) considers salvation references in 1 Timothy ch. 2 in relation to the letter's possible historical, cultural and rhetorical context and its perspective on God, the world and salvation.