By Dr Samuel Cueva (PhD) is one of the Centre Directors. He is a Peruvian missiologist, writer and mission consultant promoting two-way mission bridges to every continent for the fulfilment of God’s mission, and an expert on mission theology of reciprocal collaboration.  He holds a BT in Theology from the Facultad de Teología – Barcelona (IBTE), Certificate in Religious Studies from Birkbeck College, University of London, MA from University of Birmingham (UK), and a PhD from Trinity Saint David, University of Wales (UK).

The  Lausanne Movement’s Fourth World Congress on World Evangelization is going to be held in Seoul in 2024. The Latin American leaders gathered together in Uruguay in September 2023, to analyze the state of the Great Commission in Latin America in relation to the past, present, and future of the mission in and from Latin America. One of the presentations was from the Brazilian theologian Valdir Steuernagel, which summarizes the main issues raised and allows us to look ahead. 

Here is my very brief reflection on the paper: All the gospel for all the people, from Latin America. The way to Lausanne IV by Valdir Steuernagel (From Switzerland 1974 to South Korea 2024). 

I want to consider just one phrase written on identity and context (pp. 17-22). Valdir points out that: 

“Christian faith gives birth to identity. However, this identity is always communal and relational, never abstract, conceptual, or theoretically doctrinal. In a sacred and even dialectical movement, Christian identity never depends on the context, while never asserting itself without context” (p. 17). 

Here is my contribution: 

In the first instance, I agree that Christian faith gives birth to faith. More accurately it is the gospel that brings faith to sinful people and consequently a Christological identity. Christian identity from above is what Christ has done to save people from sin and therefore, to provide redemption and a new life. Christian identity from below is what disciples of Christ demonstrate to others; it is the conversion or total transformation to trust in what Christ has done on the cross in redeeming sinners to Himself. Therefore, wherever Christ’s disciples go, whether in church or society, the share the good news of the gospel as stated in Matthew 28:19-20. 

Secondly, Christian identity is communal and relational. I am in agreement that the Christological mandate is always a relational message. It is, therefore, a gospel of relational theology. By this I mean a theology that compels us to be in touch with others permanently. I suggest that the present church must consider seriously the urgency of investing in relational theology as part of the cost of discipleship undertaken in a local congregational context. The church becomes communal because of its relational theology that is practical and organic so that any real Christian can experience the power of Christ and its relational theology – the kingdom missionary theology that is a Trinitarian divine action. 

Thirdly, Christian identity never depends on the context. I totally agree with this very important statement. For over forty years evangelicals have emphasised the importance of context. The danger, however, is to look at the gospel from the context, instead of the gospel being above the context. The gospel is the message and the context is the place and the unique characteristics where the gospel is shared. Today, as faith has become second, reason has become first.