The Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations, 10 December 1948, is the international affirmation of faith in fundamental human rights. As the most widely officially adopted creed in the world, it is of great significance for persons engaged in cross-cultural and international missions. As we have recently recognized the fiftieth anniversary year of its adoption, missiologists must continue to struggle with issues it raises, such as the relation of Christian liberty to human rights, the relation of “rights” to “duties,” and the theological basis for a doctrine of human rights.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
BoschDavid J.1991Transforming Mission: Paradigm Shifts in Theology of Mission. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books.
2.
CarmanJohn B.1988“Duties and Rights in Hindu Society.” In Human Rights and the World's Religions. RounerLeroy, ed. Pp. 113–128. Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame Press.
3.
Division of Overseas Ministries, National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA (DOM)1982“The Development of Guidelines on Missionary Involvement in Social-Justice and Human-Rights Issues.”International Bulletin of Missionary Research6(1):9–12.
4.
DyrnessWilliam A.1997The Earth Is God's: A Theology of American Culture. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books.
5.
FishbaneMichael1988“The Image of the Human and the Rights of the Individual in Jewish Tradition.” In Human Rights and the World's Religions. RounerLeroy, ed. Pp. 17–32. Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame Press.
6.
HarakasStanley1982“Human Rights: An Eastern Orthodox Perspective.” In Human Rights in Religious Traditions. SwidlerArlene, ed. Pp. 13–24. New York: The Pilgrim Press.
7.
HenkinLouis1978The Rights of Man Today. Boulder, CO: Westview Press.
8.
MayerAnn Elizabeth1991Islam and Human Rights: Tradition and Politics. Boulder, CO: Westview Press.
9.
MeadSidney1975The Nation with the Soul of a Church. New York: Harper & Row.
10.
MithraKana1982“On Human Rights and the Qur'anic Perspective.” In Human Rights in Religious Traditions. SwidlerArlene, ed. Pp. 77–84. New York: The Pilgrim Press.
11.
MoltmannJürgen1977a“The Original Paper: The Theological Basis of Human Rights and of the Liberation of Human Beings.” In A Christian Declaration on Human Rights: Theological Studies of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches. MillerAllen O., ed. Pp. 14–25. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
12.
MoltmannJürgen1977b“A Definitive Study Paper: A Christian Declaration of Human Rights.” In A Christian Declaration on Human Rights: Theological Studies of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches. MillerAllen O., ed. Pp. 129–143. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
13.
MooreThomas H.1996“Human Rights and Christian Missions in the Emerging Global Culture.”Missiology24(2):201–211.
14.
NoldeO. Frederick1968Free and Equal: Human Rights in Ecumenical Perspective. Geneva, Switzerland: World Council of Churches.
15.
Pacem in Terris1963GibbonsWilliam J., ed. Glen Rock, NJ: Paulist Press.
16.
RobertsW. Dayton1982“An Evangelical Comment on the 'Guidelines.'”International Bulletin of Missionary Research6(1):12–13.
17.
SannehLamin1989Translating the Message: The Missionary Impact on Culture. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books.
18.
SchererJames A.BevansStephen B.1992New Directions in Mission & Evangelization I: Basic Statements, 1974–1991. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books.
19.
StackhouseMax L.1984Creeds, Society, and Human Rights. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
20.
ThomasNorman E.1995Classic Texts in Mission & World Christianity. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books.
21.
TraerRobert1991Faith in Human Rights. Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press.
22.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights [UDHR]1995 [1948] “Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” In The United Nations and Human Rights: 1945–1995. Pp. 153–155. New York: Department of Public Information, The United Nations.
23.
WallsAndrew F.1996The Missionary Movement in Christian History. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books.
24.
WallisJames1998“Seeking Moral Consistency.”Sojourners27(3):7–8.
25.
World Alliance of Reformed Churches1977“Guidelines and Implications from London Consultation.” In A Christian Declaration on Human Rights: Theological Studies of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches. MillerAllen O., ed. Pp. 144–150. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
26.
YannoulatosAnastasios1984“Eastern Orthodoxy and Human Rights.”International Review of Mission73(292):454–466.
