Missiology Meets Cultural Anthropology: The Life and Legacy of Paul G. Hiebert

Abstract

This dissertation examines the relationship between missiology and cultural anthropology in the life and published works of Paul Gordon Hiebert. Chapter 1 introduces the overall research question which investigates the interface of cultural anthropology and missiology. Key terms are introduced and defined in order to provide clarity for the remaining work.

Chapter 2 starts the body of the work with a short biography of Hiebert. The biographical section starts before Hiebert's lifetime with an investigation of his denominational and familial background. Hiebert's childhood as missionary kid in India demonstrates how those experiences affected his later education and missionary career. A survey of his education, professional career as a professor of missions and anthropology, and writing career demonstrate Hiebert's commitment to the missions task and to the integration of missiology and cultural anthropology.

Chapter 3 identifies and traces the development of Hiebert's six seminal ideas in his published works. Chapter 4 examines how Hiebert's six seminal ideas introduced in the third chapter apply to some questions being dealt with in contemporary missiology. This investigation takes the form of a research question associated with each idea.

Chapter 5 investigates the influence of Hiebert's six seminal ideas on current missiology. His influence is demonstrated through a survey of a representative sample of Evangelical missiologists in order to reveal how Hiebert's seminal ideas have been in

their own missiological thinking and teaching. Additionally, a limited survey of secondary sources will show that Hiebert has often been cited in order to support various missiological ideas and positions. An evaluation of whether these ideas are legitimate or illegitimate extensions of Hiebert's ideas is given.

Chapter 6 concludes the study through a reflection of Hiebert's legacy in terms of his personal impact on students, colleagues, and others with whom he