Books by Joshua Searle
Colloquium, 2015
В Украине идет война, которая подводит итог затянувшемуся постсоветскому транзиту. В ее огне сгор... more В Украине идет война, которая подводит итог затянувшемуся постсоветскому транзиту. В ее огне сгорает прошлое, а будущее кажется слишком призрачным. Нужна оптика надежды, чтобы увидеть будущее в свете веры, осуществить его и свое призвание в нем.
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Whitley Lecture, 2016
Recent events in Ukraine have forced post-Soviet evangelicals to address a question they had long... more Recent events in Ukraine have forced post-Soviet evangelicals to address a question they had long avoided: ‘in what way is the gospel not only the source of personal salvation, but also the source of social transformation?’ This lecture advances the provocative argument that instead of calling the people to repent and make peace, the church itself should repent for betrayingthe people, and for failing for so many years to speak truthfully to those in power and to stand on the side of the oppressed. It is argued that Baptists in both Ukraine and Britain need to reject the kind of narrow pietism that over-emphasises individual salvation, and should instead rediscover their holistic mission, in which both the individual and society become complementary parts of the overall Christian vision of biblically-informed action on behalf of the overriding biblical imperative of social justice. The lecture concludes on a hopeful note by showing that despite their limited numbers, Baptists can be in the vanguard of a new movement(a ‘church without walls’) for the reformation of the church and the renewal of society, which moves towards an open future with hope for greater freedom. While drawing on the author’s experience of living and working in Ukraine, this lecture also addresses vital issues that affect the global Baptist community, such as the missional imperatives of social justice and solidarity and the limits of political authority.
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Beyond the End: The Future of Millennial Studies, 2012
There are promising signs that millennial studies is now being recognized by the wider academic c... more There are promising signs that millennial studies is now being recognized by the wider academic community as a profitable pursuit that merits serious scholarly attention. More than ever before, the horizons of academic engagement with millennial ideologies and their historical and cultural ramifications are being expanded over a multiplicity of disciplinary perspectives. Historians, theologians, literary critics and social scientists have all been able to establish a compelling unanimity in attesting to the vital historical significance and critical contemporary relevance of millennial thought. Thanks to such interdisciplinary efforts, millennial hope is now identified as a vital aspect of the human condition and as a dynamic force that has motivated diverse world-historical individuals from Zoroaster and Francis of Assisi to Adolf Hitler and Mao Zedong.
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Книга представляет собой плод дружбы и сотрудничества двух христианских мыслителей из разных стра... more Книга представляет собой плод дружбы и сотрудничества двух христианских мыслителей из разных стран и традиций – британского богослова Джошуа Сьорла и украинского философа и миссиолога Михаила Черенкова. Авторы предлагают междисциплинарный анализ постсоветских трансформаций на примере Украины. Предметом их исследования стала связь миссиологии евангельских церквей, богословского образования и социально-политических преобразований. Книга предназначена для преподавателей богословских школ, миссиологов, священнослужителей, религиоведов, и тех христиан, которых волнует будущее Церкви
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This book provides a comprehensive description of how evangelicals in Northern Ireland interprete... more This book provides a comprehensive description of how evangelicals in Northern Ireland interpreted the "Troubles" (1966-2007) in the light of how they read the Bible. The rich and diverse landscape of Northern Irish evangelicalism during the "Troubles" is ideally suited to this study of both the light and dark sides of apocalyptic eschatology. Searle demonstrates how the notion of apocalypse shaped evangelical and fundamentalist interpretations of the turbulent events that characterized this dark yet fascinating period in the history of Northern Ireland. The book uses this case study to offer a timely reflection on some of the most pressing issues in contemporary negotiations between culture and religion. Given the current resurgence of religious fundamentalism in the wake of 9/11, together with popular conceptions of a "clash of civilizations" and the so-called War on Terror, this book is not only an engaging academic study; it also resonates with some of the defining cultural issues of our time.
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Refereed Articles by Joshua Searle
Baptists and the Kingdom of God, 2023
The aim of this chapter is to present an outline of a Kingdom-centred theology of freedom from a ... more The aim of this chapter is to present an outline of a Kingdom-centred theology of freedom from a Baptist perspective. The chapter begins with an overview of the present cultural context within which debates concerning the meaning of freedom are set. After a discussion concerning the meaning and significance of the Kingdom of God from a biblical-theological perspective, the focus turns towards an elucidation of how a Kingdom-focused approach to theology could be organized around the concept of gospel freedom. The chapter concludes with a reflection on the application of this Kingdom-focused theology to the challenges and opportunities of Christian witness in the world today. My intention throughout is to draw on the riches of the Baptist tradition in order to present a transformative Kingdom-orientated theology that will equip the global Baptist community to witness to the freedom of the gospel in a way that is credible and compelling.
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Bible in Transmission, 2022
The main point that I wish to make in this article is that racism is deplorable, not only because... more The main point that I wish to make in this article is that racism is deplorable, not only because it promotes injustice and inequality, but because it a blasphemous violation of the sacred dignity of a human being who bears the divine image.
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Almanac Bogomislie, 2022
The article begins with an examination of God's peaceable character in which I explain how God in... more The article begins with an examination of God's peaceable character in which I explain how God intends, in the fulness of time, to establish his reign of peace through the reconciliation of all people and the unification of all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. God's peaceable character is contrasted with the character of unregenerate human beings in a "state of nature", whose natural propensity is to kill and destroy each other. I show how war is the outcome of sin and that the death and destruction caused by war are signs of demonic activity in the world. After a discussion of the significance of war in relation to eschatology, I then offer some suggestions about how followers of Christ today can take a costly stand for peace. The article concludes with a theological reflection on how war can be overcome through the transfiguration of human nature in a way that combines the Eastern Orthodox notion of theosis with the anabaptist emphasis on costly obedience and confidence in the ultimate victory of the Lamb of God over all the powers of this world.
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Theologisches Gespräch, 2023
What contribution can theology make to the transformation and improvement of life in today's worl... more What contribution can theology make to the transformation and improvement of life in today's world? How can it help people discover a new dimension of human life that transcends the familiar materialistic thinking of individuals in a secular world? This article provides insight into the transformative application of theology and aims to assist Christians in overcoming some of the obstacles that prevent them from actively participating in God's plan of redemption for the world in their everyday lives.
Welchen Beitrag kann die Theologie zur Veränderung und Verbesserung des Lebens in der heutigen Welt leisten? Wie kann sie Menschen helfen, eine neue Dimension menschlichen Lebens zu entdecken, die das vertraute materialistische Denken der Menschen in einer säkularen Welt übersteigt? Dieser Artikel bietet einen Einblick in die transformative Anwendung von Theologie und will damit Christinnen und Christen helfen, einige der Hindernisse zu überwinden, die sie von ihrem alltäglichen Handeln im Rahmen von Gottes Erlösungsplan für die Welt abhalten.
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Baptist Ministers' Journal, 2023
Interview with Dr Sally Nelson, Editor of Baptist Ministers' Journal
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Acta Missiologiae 9: 9-19, 2021
Since its foundation in 1997, the Euro-Asian Accrediting Association (EAAA) has made a decisive c... more Since its foundation in 1997, the Euro-Asian Accrediting Association (EAAA) has made a decisive contribution to the strategic development of theological formation and mission in the former Soviet Union. The first generation of leaders of the EAAA understood that the renewal of the evangelical movement in this region required new standards of pastoral and missional competence. The pioneers realized that such a renewal could be gained only through a longterm strategic approach to theological formation that would have clear and realistic goals and a plan to achieve them. The EAAA has helped to give shape and impetus to reforming movements within evangelicalism by providing opportunities for Christians to learn from each other, pool resources, facilitate cooperation between seminaries and experiment with new models of missional leadership. Recognizing the difficulty of speaking in general terms about such a huge area as "the post-Soviet space," this article will focus on a specific missional initiative, the EAAA. Although the EAAA is a relatively small organization, its strategic reach extends to almost all the nations of the former Soviet Union. By focusing on a case study of the EAAA, this article illustrates the broader challenges confronting evangelical mission and theological education. Having described the salient trends, the article then turns to an evaluation of the prospects for renewal and reform of theological education in the post-Soviet space by tracing some of the positive changes within the evangelical movement that the EAAA has helped to facilitate since the late 1980s.
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Anabaptism Today, 2023
In this article I test the Anabaptist commitment to peace against the backdrop of the current war... more In this article I test the Anabaptist commitment to peace against the backdrop of the current war in Ukraine. Citing the striking case of a Mennonite pastor serving in an active warzone attired in military fatigues who would not hesitate to kill a Russian soldier to defend the lives of Ukrainian soldiers under his care, I pose the timely question as to what it means in practice to follow the peaceful way of Jesus in the midst of such a cruel and barbaric war. To provide context I offer a brief history of the Mennonite movement in Ukraine, then move on to some biblical and theological reflections on the nature of war before considering the urgent ethical questions facing the global Anabaptist community in the light of this new era of authoritarianism and nationalism across the world. In the penultimate section I argue that a commitment to Nachfolge requires discerning discipleship in the midst of the complexities of life and that such a commitment precludes adopting absolute pacifism as a dogmatic postulate because this ‘subordinates the dynamic gospel vision of justice and peace to an abstract ideal of non-violence’. He concludes, nevertheless, with a restatement of the Anabaptist vision of peace and a call to engage in proactive measures to promote peace long before any armed conflict becomes inevitable, and reminds us of the need for what Glen Stassen termed ‘Just-Peacemaking’. However, the recent events in Ukraine remind us that resistance of oppressive violence once conflict breaks out may lead contemporary Anabaptists reluctantly to conclude that armed resistance may be necessary in a violent, fallen world. Слава Україні!
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RISU.UA, 2023
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Богословськi роздуми 20.2, 2022
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International Journal of Public Theology, 2022
The overall aim of this article is to make a theological case for Ukraine's integration into the ... more The overall aim of this article is to make a theological case for Ukraine's integration into the European family of nations. I build this case by pursuing two primary lines of argument: firstly, by demonstrating the implausibility of the common assumptions (held by many Ukrainian Christians) that Russia is more 'spiritual' and 'Christian' than 'secular' and 'godless' Europe. Secondly, I seek to make a positive case for why principles, such as human dignity and human rights, cultural diversity, democracy, justice, fairness, equality and the rule of law, are much more appropriate indicators of Christian values than nominal allegiance to religious institutions among a certain population. This article is divided into three parts. Part One identifies and critiques the salient features of the "Holy Russia" myth with illustrations drawn from various representative figures. Part Two is devoted to the defence of the European tradition in which I advance the counterintuitive argument that secular liberalism is more in continuity with orthodox Christianity than Christian nationalism. In Part Three, I apply these general points to the specific issue of Ukraine and its fate as a European nation.
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European Journal of Theology, 2022
The 2021 republication of the German Baptist statement of faith, Rechenschaft vom Glauben (first ... more The 2021 republication of the German Baptist statement of faith, Rechenschaft vom Glauben (first published in 1977), affords an opportunity to reflect on its wider significance beyond Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Having undertaken a detailed and methodical study of the text and context of the Rechenschaft vom Glauben, it is my conviction that this Baptist confession of faith retains its relevance today. Taking the kingdom of God as my point of departure, I offer both a descriptive elucidation and a critical appraisal of the Rechenschaft. My main aim is to bring this key Baptist confession to the attention of English-speaking evangelical theologians and church leaders throughout Europe and to encourage them to follow the lead of the Rechenschaft in its insistence that the kingdom of God constitutes the central reference point for evangelical theology.
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Theological Reflections / Богословськi роздуми 19.2 , 2021
Existentialist approaches to theology are compelling not simply because they facilitate dialogue ... more Existentialist approaches to theology are compelling not simply because they facilitate dialogue between the post-Christian West and the post-Soviet East, but also because they address specific social crises that affect the nations of the former USSR. This article develops this main argument through a series of distinct stages. The first part identifies key characteristics of Western and Eastern theological approaches to existentialism. The next section explores the relevance of existentialism for the context of post-Soviet Eastern European society in relation to the crises of unfreedom and dehumanisation. Finally, the article builds on the insights from the preceding parts in order to address the prospects for the renewal of post-Soviet Protestant theology in light of the insights from existentialism.
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Baptist Ministers Journal, 2021
In this article, I write as a British Baptist with deep and wide connections to the wider Europea... more In this article, I write as a British Baptist with deep and wide connections to the wider European Baptist family, and from the conviction that the withdrawal from the EU is a cause not for nationalistic celebration and triumph, but for nationwide soul-searching, which should include a strong note of lament and repentance. My aim is to show that, in the post-Brexit world we have now entered, in which the idols of ‘political sovereignty’, ‘border security’ and ‘national interests’ are cherished and fetishized (including by some Christians), Baptist faith and practice can become characterised by its emphasis on global solidarity, generous hospitality and Christlike self- denial.
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Books by Joshua Searle
Refereed Articles by Joshua Searle
Welchen Beitrag kann die Theologie zur Veränderung und Verbesserung des Lebens in der heutigen Welt leisten? Wie kann sie Menschen helfen, eine neue Dimension menschlichen Lebens zu entdecken, die das vertraute materialistische Denken der Menschen in einer säkularen Welt übersteigt? Dieser Artikel bietet einen Einblick in die transformative Anwendung von Theologie und will damit Christinnen und Christen helfen, einige der Hindernisse zu überwinden, die sie von ihrem alltäglichen Handeln im Rahmen von Gottes Erlösungsplan für die Welt abhalten.
Welchen Beitrag kann die Theologie zur Veränderung und Verbesserung des Lebens in der heutigen Welt leisten? Wie kann sie Menschen helfen, eine neue Dimension menschlichen Lebens zu entdecken, die das vertraute materialistische Denken der Menschen in einer säkularen Welt übersteigt? Dieser Artikel bietet einen Einblick in die transformative Anwendung von Theologie und will damit Christinnen und Christen helfen, einige der Hindernisse zu überwinden, die sie von ihrem alltäglichen Handeln im Rahmen von Gottes Erlösungsplan für die Welt abhalten.
This article, accordingly, begins with a brief overview of the unique historical and theological factors that shaped the origins and development of Protestantism in Russia and Ukraine. The discussion then turns to the situation of Protestantism from the collapse of the USSR to the present day. It is noted that several young Ukrainian and Russian Protestant theologians are now calling openly for a ‘reformation’ of the post-Soviet evangelical church. The article argues that in the circumstances today it is still appropriate to speak about the ‘reformation’ of the church in Ukraine and Russia, but that this impulse towards church ‘reformation’ should be combined with a biblical vision of the transformation of post-Soviet society in accordance with gospel principles. The article concludes with a series of specific practical suggestions for post-Soviet Protestant churches. These recommendations are informed by a strategic understanding of the conditions that need to be in place before one can begin to talk seriously about the ‘reformation’ of Protestant churches in the post-Soviet space.
Mission? Das Reich Gottes bezeichnet die Heilung der Schöpfung, die
Befreiung des gesamten Universums von seiner Bindung an die natürlichen
Gesetze von Tod, Verfall und Zerstörung (Röm 8,22–24; 1Kor 15,53–54).
Durch das Reich Gottes wird jeder Aspekt der Schöpfung und menschlicher
Beziehungen erlöst, revitalisiert und transformiert.
https://www.baptist.org.uk/Articles/600755/Donald_Trump_and.aspx
https://www.christiantoday.com/article/independence-day-how-a-crisis-of-compassion-brought-us-brexit/91418.htm
Mr Searle is a member of the Northumbria Community. He is 24 years old, and lives in Belfast. His essay was entitled "Called in One Hope: A Biblical vision of Hope for twenty-first century Europe". Written with great verve, his essay succeeded in maintaining a broad perspective while clearly focussed on Europe, and was supported by a variety of secondary sources. His use of Revelation 21 and the vision of the new Jerusalem was of particular note.