Now this is just a question, so please help me out. 
It seems to me that much of missional theology comes from a more evangelical background, and much of a radical theology comes from the anabaptists. is that right?
Missional theology tends toward equipping the church to participate in the Mission of God by help it shed its heirarchical and institutional baggage, and engage in cultural studies. Radical theology tends toward practicing resistance to an idolatrous culture in a more overtly political and economic manner.
It would seem they both would benefit from a better integration and cross-pollination of ideas and practices (notice how I resisted saying ‘conversation’) to mutually reinforce one another. It seemed that for a while over the last couple of years that these two streams were flowing together, but I’m not as certain now.
What do you all think?
2 replies on “Missional Mondays: Radicals or Missionals”
Yes, I agree. I also think this is one thing Mark van Steenwyk was trying to get at when he started the Common Root network (formerly known as Submergent).
I've been thinking about that sort of thing a bit lately, actually, I suppose it's only natural when one starts a seminary program. I've also been uncomfortable lately as I've started seeing ways that both "missional" and "radical" expressions of Christianity can all-too-easily repeat patterns of oppression that exist in the very structures to which they are reacting… which is a tendency that both the radical and missional strains should contend against.
I want to know why you aren't in the Missions and Ecclesiology class with Ben and I.