Paul A. Hoffman, BA (Gordon College), M.Div (Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary), Ph.D. (University of Manchester/Nazarene Theological College)
'A Critical Assessment of the Practical Theology of "Urban Missional Engagement" with Particular Reference to the Writings of Timothy Keller', 2017.
Paul completed his thesis in 2017. The research question posed is ‘how might Keller’s urban missiological writings be enriched by critical engagement with a developed trinitarian missiology?’ The thesis draws on trinitarian and evangelical missiologists Lesslie Newbigin, Timothy Tennent, Ross Hastings and Scott Sunquist as key dialogue partners. Specifically, their ideas are integrated to construct a trinitarian missiological lens through which to scrutinise Keller. This reveals certain vulnerabilities in Keller’s writings and practices related to urban ministry. Ensuing from the interchange between Keller’s missiology, trinitarian missiology and a diversity of theological voices (including Pentecostal, Catholic, Orthodox and Majority World) the thesis suggests a new, tripartite urban missiology involving pneumatology, reconciling and collective-engagement, be considered.
Publications
With Matthew D. Kim, Preaching to a Divided Nation: A Seven-Step Model for Promoting Reconciliation and Unity (Baker Academic, 2022). Recipient of the Outreach Magazine Leadership Resource of the Year award.
Hoffman, Paul. “Polar Views of the City: Jacques Ellul vs. Timothy Keller.” Occasional Bulletin of the Evangelical Missiological Society, vol. 30, no. 2, Spring 2017, 12-15, 30-31.
Paul is the Senior Pastor of Evangelical Friends Church of Newport, RI.
Email: pastorpaul@efcnewport.com