From Case Study to Research Agenda: Justifying Systematic Enquiry into Leveraging Specific Theologies to Promote Christian Unity and Mission

Abstract

This article argues for research that explores the possibilities for and constraints to leveraging specific Christian traditions to promote Christian unity and mission. It uses insights from a larger qualitative study that used case studies from the Churches of Christ in Zimbabwe to present a case for researchers in the area of religious studies and of theology to focus their studies on how the various churches in the Christian landscape may leverage their respective traditions to promote Christian unity and therefore mission. Christian unity is viewed in this article to be a precursor for peace, love and common witness internationally, as envisioned by Apostle Paul who said in Galatians 3 verse 28: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are one in Christ Jesus” (RSV). This article provides answers to the central question: How can an investment in research that focus on leveraging specific theologies to promote Christian unity be justified? The article thus highlights the importance for researchers to explore the possibilities for and constraints to leveraging any specific Christian tradition to promote Christian unity and therefore the missio Dei. It challenges researchers and Christian believers across the globe to reimagine Christian tradition and remodel ecclesiastic practices towards the original mission of God, that is, to redeem mankind from slavery to sin. In so doing, it motivates researchers to replicate the original research on restoration theology and the Churches of Christ in Zimbabwe, with other Christian traditions, with the aim of establishing the basis for Christian unity and therefore common witness. The central thesis in this article is that, during this era of emerging ecumenical Christianity, unity among Christians, as enunciated in Jesus’ high priestly prayer (John 17: 18 - 21), should be the focus for any progressive Christian movement, as opposed to negative energy focused on fellow Christians. This study thus argues that research seeking to understand the possibilities to and constraints for leveraging any specific theological traditions to promote Christian unity and therefore mission is a worthwhile endeavour.