How can the church articulate the gospel message in ways relevant to the many diverse cultures of the Asia-Pacific region? To what degree can and should theologians, educators, pastors, and missionaries contextualize this message in this pursuit of relevancy? How can we bring our theology to culture without losing theology to syncretism or the plague of pluralism? How does the dynamic understanding of holiness in the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition address these issues?
Post-modernism, Asia-Pacific ways of thought, and a renewed reading of Scripture prompt us to see that
the Western over-emphasis upon individuality was a mistake. Revivalism arose in a culture that separated
individuals. Our hymns and our preaching reflect this centeredness upon self. Consequently, our
church’s emphasis has been upon the entire sanctification of individuals alone without, sometimes, balancing
that with an equal call to responsible participation within community. Both our context and the
From the Preface
Could we walk together in a discovery of "witness"? I have tried to deal with biblical issues about witness in a way that would speak to people like you and me. I've hoped and prayed the "speak" would be strong enough to improve our witness -- to make a difference. You will discover this pattern over and over again: from Bible to everyday life.
Tillman presents a review of the literature which addresses both the practical and theoretical barriers related to the lack of persistence amongst college students.