"[2] It has historically focused on the missionary and evangelistic work of Protestant and Catholic denominations from Europe and North America into other continents.
While biblical and theologically rooted, missiology has therefore sought a deep engagement in the social sciences, in disciplines such as anthropology, history, geography, communication theory, comparative religious studies, social studies, education, psychology, and inter-religious relations.
[3] Missiology has thus included topics like inculturation, contextualization, interfaith relations, and reverse mission.
"[11] The close interaction between missiology, social sciences and culture made scholars to shape the discipline within the framework of history and sociology[12] and remind about the "colonial past of missions" when Christians often attempted to use their political and economic power in evangelism.
Many missiologists are now disavowing these methods and attempt to construct a new paradigm that does not employ such imperialistic approaches which lead to language and cultural imposition.