Steve Bevans: A Missional-Ecumenist Catholic Theologian

Stephen Bevans is Louis J. Luzbetak, S.V.D., Professor of Mission and Culture. He is a Roman Catholic priest in the Society of the Divine Word, an international missionary congregation, and served for nine years (1972-1981) as a missionary in the Philippines. He has been on the Catholic Theological Union faculty for 26 years. He is also a very dear friend to me and the work of ACT3 Network.

Steve’s publications include: Models of Contextual Theology (2002), Constants in Context: A Theology of Mission for Today (2004, with Roger Schroeder), Evangelization and Freedom (2009, with Jeffrey Gros), An Introduction to Theology in Global Perspective (2009), Prophetic Dialogue: Reflections on Christian Mission Today (with Roger Schroeder, 2011). In 2012 Steve edited Mission and Culture: The Louis J. Luzbetak Lectures. All of Steve’s books are works of mission, ecumenism and deep reflection on God and the Word.

Steve is also the past president of the American Society of Missiology (2006) and past member of the board of directors of the Catholic Theological Society of America (2007-2009). In March, 2012 Steve was part of the official Vatican delegation to the assembly of the Commission on World Mission and Evangelism in Manila, Philippines. He has taught and lectured in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Italy, Ireland, Taiwan, Ghana, Thailand, and Hong Kong.

I have not had the joy of building real friendships with a lot of theologians like Steve, thinkers who are missional theologians who are also active in ecumenism. Thank you Steve for being my friend, a friend to ACT3 Network and an active, serious and faithful follower of Jesus.