THEOLOGY OF MISSIONS
Table of
Contents
1. Introduction………………………………………………………………………………1
2. Biblical Texts that Relate
to Mission…………………………………………………......1
A. Old
Testament………………………………………………………………………...1
B.
New Testament………………………………………………………………………..4
3. How the Nature of God Relates
to Mission……………………………………………….5
4. How Mission Theology
Relates to Other Aspects of Theology…………………………..6
A.
Ecclesiology.…………………………………………………………………………..6
B.
Christology…………………………………………………………………………….7
5.
Key Themes of Mission Theology………………………………………………...………7
A. Kingdom of
God………………………………………………………………………8
B. Shalom………………………………………………………………………………...8
6. Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………...9
7.
Bibliography……………………………………………………………………………..11
Introduction
The purpose of this paper is
to articulate a biblical and theological basis for global mission. This paper
will discuss biblical texts from both the Old Testament and New that relate to
mission, how the nature of God relates to mission, how mission theology relates
to ecclesiology and Christology, and two themes of mission theology –
namely, the kingdom of God and shalom.
Biblical
Texts that Relate to Mission
Isaiah
66:19
"I
will set a sign among them and will send survivors from them to the nations:
Tarshish, Put, Lud, Meshech, Tubal and Javan, to the distant coastlands that
have neither heard My fame nor seen My glory And they will declare My glory
among the nations.”
Countless scriptural
references and texts point towards mission throughout the Bible. For the sake
of time, four texts will be examined – two from the Old Testament and two from
the New Testament.
Old Testament
The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your
people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.” I will
make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever
curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through
you."
With Abram’s obedience and the faith he had in God, he left his country
because he entrusted God’s promise made to him. The biblical reference given is
an example of Abram (Abraham) departing from his land – a land in which he was
familiar, to a land he did not know. Because of the mission that Abram set out
on, the promise from God, that he would bless “all the families of the earth.” Out
of the descendants of Abraham, came both the Jew and Gentile and the nation of
Israel. According to Kaiser, “Israel was to be God’s missionary to the world –
and so we by virtue of our identity as Abraham’s spiritual descendants! The
Mission has not changed in our own day.”[2]
Another Old Testament example that relates
to mission and perhaps one of the best-known stories in the Old Testament comes
from Exodus 3:4-10 – God sends Moses to deliver his people out of captivity. In
Exodus 3:4-10, God commands Moses through the burning bush to set out on a mission to Pharaoh to set the people of
Israel free from the bondage and slavery they have endured. This example shows the mission of Mosses – sent out by God for the purpose of a
greater plan from God. He will use his people (Israel) as the missionary to the
world.
New Testament
In the New Testament, there are many
additional examples of texts that relate to mission. The first is the
forerunner of Jesus: John the Baptist – called to clear the way and proclaim
the coming of Jesus. John’s mission was predicted in the Old Testament (Isaiah
40; Malachi 3:1), and later fulfilled in Matthew 3. His mission he declared
boldly in Matthew 3:2 – “repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”
The second missional text used in the New Testament that relates to
world mission is one of the greatest scriptures used today for missionaries/mission.
In Mark 16:15, Jesus himself gave the mission assignment to the disciples by
telling them to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”
This message is the hallmark of mission and has set the course for the
advancement of the kingdom ever since. The mission of the apostles was a result
from these very words and became every Christians mandate to those who are lost
– even today.
How
the Nature of God Relates to Mission
Mark 6:7
“And He summoned the twelve and began to send them out in
pairs, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits”
As the scriptures come alive
on a global stage and as seen from the previous section, the nature of God
relates to mission on a scale greater than one may first realize. Through the
story of Abraham in Genesis and the Exodus of Gods people from the hand of
Pharaoh, mission, is accomplished through the sending of His people. God
demonstrates his nature through others to accomplish his will. The Latin term Misseo Dei, meaning, “the sending of
God”[3] shows how
the nature of God and mission are connected. Moreau states, “over the course of
the twentieth-century, mission scholars gained a new appreciation for the fact
that mission originates in God, not in the church or in people."[4]
The
church did not construct or invent mission; God uses the church as a vehicle to
fulfill the mission that he established. Glasser states, “As those being sent
into the world to proclaim the gospel, the irreplaceable task of the church is
to share the gospel and persuade all the people of the world to become
disciples of Jesus Christ.[5]
This allows the focus to be solely on God’s nature. God is the one who
initiated and initiates mission. The nature of God relates to mission from the
very beginning. Christopher Wright states “that on the day of their creation,
human beings were given their mission on the planet so purposefully prepared
for their arrival – the mandate to fill the earth and subdue it and to rule
over the rest of creation (Gen 1:28).”[6]
How
Mission Theology Relates to Other Aspects of Theology
Hebrews 10:25
“Not neglecting to meet together, as in the
habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day
drawing near.”
Mission theology relates to other aspects of theology in many ways. When
looking into God’s plan through the scriptures, one can see the relationship
that mission theology has with other areas pertaining to theology. Two aspects
will be looked at – ecclesiology and Christology as it relates
to the aspects of theology.
Ecclesiology
According to Paul Hooker, “ecclesiology is the discussion of what
the church is called to be and to do – it’s nature, its purpose, its hopes, its
structure and practices.”[7] Countless scriptures
relate to the church and its purpose. A good purpose statement of the church is
in Acts 2:42. It states, “They
devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the
breaking of bread and to prayer.” Hooker explains, “A missional view of the
church would remind us that whatever is true of the church is true because it
is first and foremost true of God in Christ, who through the work of the Spirit
calls the church into being.”[8]
Ecclesiology and
mission relate because the foundation of the church is grounded in mission
theology, set in place by God. The church is a place to gather and devote
oneself to scriptural teachings, fellowship, breaking of bred and prayer. With
this come the mandate of mission theology and the sending of God. It is through the church that God works hand in
hand with to establish his will on this earth. The church is necessary to
complete the mission mandate set by God.
Christology
According to Brown,
Christology, in a broader sense, “discusses any evaluation of Jesus in respect
to who he was and the role he played in the divine plan…”[9] When examining the
scriptures and mission theology, the overall arching theme of mission, is
Jesus. From the story of Abraham, Israel was called to be the missionary of the world and through Abraham’s seed came forth a
Jew that would atone for the sins of the world and offer himself as the perfect
lamb for our redemption back to God.
Mission
theology relates to Christology because the role and nature of Christ while
here on this earth as Man. God sent his son as the perfect example of a
missionary to reconcile humanity back to Himself/God. Therefore, God works his
mission through his Son and through his very Spirit. The mission of Jesus was
finished when he took his last breath on the cross – it is finished. This completeness is exemplified by Paul by his
statement, in Colossians 2:14 – having canceled the charge of our legal
indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away,
nailing it to the cross.
Key Themes of Mission Theology
Ephesians
6:10-12
Finally,
be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand
against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,
but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this
dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
There are many key motifs and/or themes of mission
theology. This section will show two key motifs to mission theology. The two
key themes of mission theology (although many) are the Kingdom of God and
shalom.
Kingdom of God
The kingdom of God mentioned
in the Bible can be confusing to understand. There are many references
explaining the Kingdom of God as seen in John 18:36, Matt. 5:20, 6:10, 11:11,
18:1-4, and so on. When looking at both mission and the Kingdom, both
intertwine within each other. Moreau states, “The kingdom is both the seat of
operations and the goal for which Christians strive.”[10] Without one, you do not
have the other – they are both harmonious and go hand in hand with the other.
The motif around the kingdom
of God is evident throughout scriptures, and is a foundational rock pertaining
to mission and the goal each Christian has in reaching. Moreau states that the
kingdom of God “represents an attitude toward life that puts God first in all
that Christians do, enabling personal and corporate growth.”[11]
Shalom
The term [Hebrew] shalom, often heard in Jewish cultures is generally meant as a form
of peace – a greeting and/or farewell. According to Moreau, shalom “is a
holistic term, extending to include spiritual peace (salvation), physical peace
(healing), psychological peace (wholeness), and social peace (justice and freedom
from war).”[12] Shalom is not something that can be inherited or given by man but is
only given by God. “There is no true shalom apart from God in Christ. This is
what makes proclamation of the gospel to the lost and teaching on biblical
stewardship global imperatives.”[13]
In mission theology, shalom deals with the
control over our world in the sense of good versus evil. The battle between
Christ and Satan is alive and well on earth. The shalom is given to Christians
as a gift and as Moreau states, “shalom relates to the fact that Christians
have been set free and are called to participate in the kingdom conflict of
setting others free through calling them to bond to Christ (Matt. 28:18-20,
John 8:31-37).”[14] Mission is therefore, the opportunity to engage in the setting free of others by sharing the
gospel and gift of peace given to us. Shalom!
Conclusion
John 15:16
"You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed
you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that
whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.”
In conclusion, mission theology is
important to the missionary because it allows the person to grasp an
understanding of the basic presuppositions and principles of carrying out the
Great Commission given in Matthew 28:16-20. Mission theology gives the
missionary the foundational platform to build their ministry on with the basic
principles of reaching the lost. Without mission theology, the missionary has
no foundation to work from and the chance of instilling personal motives and
believes apart from God is of a greater concern. 2 Timothy 2:15 states, “Do
your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need
to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” (ESV)
The importance of mission theology for the
leaders in the church is of great value. The understanding of the role the
leaders of the church has is vital in advancing the kingdom of God. Leaders in
the church must be trained and equipped, and ready to discern the calling on an
individual’s life. Leaders must prepare, pray, and offer support for the
missionary to do the will of God. They must promote mission and be engaged
actively in mission so fruit will be produced throughout the world. The church leaders
must encourage, pray, and lead the church to support those called into mission.
1 Timothy 5:17 states, “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of
double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.” (ESV)
Mission theology also relates to those
that are not involved in full-time ministry and those considered laypersons. Knowing the role each person
plays in mission is important to advancing the kingdom and key to a blessed
people. It is important for all Christians to know the theology behind mission
– instituted by God and commanded by him. Those not involved in full-time
ministry are vital for support, both financially and prayerfully. The lay
people of the church have one of the most important roles in mission theology.
Philippians 4:16-18 gives an example of the importance of those within the
church to offer support and the blessing it gives to those called to mission.
Matthew 28:19-20
“Therefore
go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have
commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Bibliography
Brown,
Raymond E., , Introduction to the New Testament Christology. A&C Blac,
1994. 3. Accessed March 31, 2015 http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=N2dhtAh94zIC&oi=fnd&pg=PR5&dq=christology+&ots=oTD3k6s8tK&sig=maULZxy2sQjPQqRYfBy4f6gL6Ws#v=onepage&q=christology&f=false
Glasser,
Arthur, Announcing the Kingdom: The Story
of God’s Mission in the Bible. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2003.
Hooker,
Paul. "What is Missional Ecclesiology?." Northeast Georgia
Presbytery (2008). Accessed March 31, 2015 http://www.vibblespace.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/WhatIsMissionalEcclesiology.pdf
Moreau
et al., Introducing World Missions: A Biblical, Historical, and Practical
Survey. Grand Rapids, Mich: Baker Academic, 2004
Pocock,
Michael, Gailyn Van Rheenen, and Douglas McConnell. The Changing Face of World
Missions: Engaging Contemporary Issues and Trends. Grand Rapids: Baker
Academic, 2005.
Wright, Christopher. "Truth with a Mission: Reading All
Scripture Missiologically." (2011). Accessed March 31, 2015. http://www.sbts.edu/resources/files/2011/09/2_sbjt-v15-n2_wright.pdf
[1]
NIV will be used in text unless otherwise noted.
[2] Walter C. Kaiser, "Israel’s
Missionary Call." In Perspectives on the World Christian Movement: A
Reader, edited by Ralph D. Winter and Steven C. Hawthorne. 12
[4]
Ibid.
[5]
Arthur F Glasser., with Charles E. Van Engen, Dean S. Gilliland, and Shawn B.
Redford. Announcing the Kingdom: The Story of God's Mission in the Bible.
(Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2003), 26.
[6]
Christopher Wright. "Truth with a Mission: Reading All
Scripture Missiologically." (2011). Accessed March 31, 2015. http://www.sbts.edu/resources/files/2011/09/2_sbjt-v15-n2_wright.pdf.
[7] Paul Hooker, "What is Missional Ecclesiology?." Northeast
Georgia Presbytery (2008). 2. Accessed March 31,
2015 http://www.vibblespace.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/WhatIsMissionalEcclesiology.pdf
[8]
Ibid. 4
[9]
Raymond E. Brown, Introduction to the New Testament Christology. A&C Blac,
1994. 3. Accessed March
31, 2015 http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=N2dhtAh94zIC&oi=fnd&pg=PR5&dq=christology+&ots=oTD3k6s8tK&sig=maULZxy2sQjPQqRYfBy4f6gL6Ws#v=onepage&q=christology&f=false
[11]
Ibid.
[12]
Ibid., 13
[13]
Michael Pocock, Gailyn Van
Rheenen, Douglas McConnell. The Changing
Face of World Missions: Engaging Contemporary Issues and Trends. Grand
Rapids: Baker Academic, 2005.34
[14]
Moreau, A. Scott, Gary Corwin, and Gary McGee. Introducing World Missions: A
Biblical, Historical, and Practical Survey. 85
No comments:
Post a Comment