Shalom: God’s Ultimate Purpose for the World
Modern Medical Mission in the Islamic Context
Preface by Jerry M. Ireland
Imprint: Wipf and Stock
What is our preconception about Muslims? Do we continue to practice medical missions in a way that is no longer considered an effective means of presenting the gospel to the unreached? Is our gospel message biblically balanced and firmly contextualized in the context that we try to serve? There are numerous questions that we may ask ourselves when we desire to share God's love with people who are still alienated from it. Christian cross-cultural missions should reconsider the strategies and attitudes that no longer reflect biblical principles.
This book brings a lot of insightful thoughts and suggestions from the author's medical ministry experience in the Arab world to those who want to reach out to the unreached. The theology of shalom enables us to deeply understand God's ultimate purpose toward the world that he created and to devote our lives to bring people to his kingdom in the humble way that Jesus has presented throughout his life on earth when he was with us. This book demonstrates how Christian medical missions can be manifested in a more biblical way and can serve people who have been physically injured and emotionally broken more effectively.
Dae-Young Lee is a general surgeon and medical missionary to the Arab world. He graduated with PhDs in medical science at Jeonbuk National University in Korea and in intercultural studies at Columbia International University (CIU) in the United States, and was ordained as pastor of International Presbyterian Church (IPC). He now works as the director of International Health Care Center and Palliative Care Center at Presbyterian Medical Center (Jesus Hospital), Jeonju, Korea.
“Having spent fifteen years caring for the spiritual and medical needs of Arab-Muslims in the Middle East, Dr. Lee is highly qualified to bring us this study. Probing biblical teachings on shalom with reference to Islamic teachings on healing, Lee also reflects practically on how the church can engage in meaningful medical mission today in the Middle East.”
—Edward L. Smither, Columbia International University
“Dae-Young Lee has written what ought to be required reading for anyone doing medical missions in any Islamic context. His credentials as a medical doctor and biblical scholar bring to this complex discussion a balance that is seldom found. Furthermore, his proposal is Christocentric, culture honoring, and faithful to Scripture.”
—Jerry M. Ireland, University of Valley Forge
“The strength in seeing a reflection on shalom is knowing it is backed up by a life that models shalom. Lee is such a man, and so are his wife and children. . . . I was blessed by this wise, tranquil spirit they brought to me and others. This book hits a perfect balance in being solid from an academic and missions standpoint while including fresh case studies and interviews with Muslims on issues of contextualization in medical missions. As one who has some experience in this region of the world, the exploration of Islamic worldviews and practices was practical and has stirred deep reflection. I am already thinking of people in the Global North who need to read and interact with this book.”
—Roy King, Columbia International Seminary