The Christian Mission: An Overview (part 1)

part 1 of 3

As we approach the point which marks a two-thousand year lapse of time since our Savior left us on earth with a great task to accomplish, namely, the evangelism of the nations, it is imperative that we pause to consider what precisely we are striving to accomplish; how far we have advanced on our goal; and what strategies we have in place for the continuation and ultimate completion of our mission. Is it possible that, in all our zeal for the work of the Kingdom, we are hindered at points by a lack of essential clarity on exactly what that work entails, and how we might best go about it? It would seem, simply by the fact of the overwhelming diversity of ways in which various Christian churches and organizations would answer these questions that the answer must at least in some cases be yes. If this lack of unity and vision in the worldwide Church poses certain obstacles to the accomplishment of the great commission, then how might we take a definite step towards overcoming those obstacles, and equipping the Church to pour out her energies in a united effort to reach the world? I would propose that we must first acknowledge the problems which inhere in our current situation, and then construct a full-orbed biblical theology of Christian mission; by which we may hope to address those problems which we have already recognized to be detrimental to our evangelistic efforts. This series of posts does not presume to be that biblical theology of mission; but it is my desire that they may at least serve to highlight a need for more extensive work in that area, as well as provide a few rough ideas for a direction to pursue toward that end.

In pursuance of our first proposed step, what may we adduce as more specific examples of the doctrinal or practical errors in the modern conception of mission? Of many possible answers, I will highlight three that seem to me more pervasive and damaging than most of the other problems we might bring up. These are, first, a man-centered view of evangelization; second, a narrowness of perspective in the evangelistic task; and third, an essential and practical fragmentation of the worldwide Church, as she pursues her global mission. In the remainder of this article, I will address in a little more detail what these problems involve, and lay out five foundational principles that should govern our attempts to seek a biblical-theological solution to the errors which confront us.

Under the heading “man-centeredness”, I intend to include two basic errors: the first is the tendency to make the good of man the supreme motivational force for our pursuit of evangelism. It is certainly true that, apart from the gospel, man is utterly wretched, and hopeless of any lasting good. Furthermore, it is true that, in the example of Christ, we are constrained to love our fellow men, and seek their good over our own. As the love of Christ fills our hearts, it must necessarily work itself out in a selfless pursuit of laboring for the salvation of the world of men who are in desperate straits, pitiably scattered abroad as sheep having no shepherd (Matthew 9:35-38). But if this motivation, as commendable as it is, is not grounded in a more foundational motivation to make much of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, it will prove inadequate to prepare us for the vast sacrifices which a life of abandonment to the ministry of reconciliation involves. If our only reason for evangelism is that men are in need, we will surely buckle under the immense pressures of the task, when the Serpent hurls his venom at us. But if our love for fellow-men derives from a deeper love of Christ, and if our most foundational motivation is the recognition that the Lamb who purchased us with his own blood, so that we might show forth the praises of him who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light (I Peter 2:9), is worthy of worshipers from every kindred, tongue, people, and nation (Revelation 5:9-14); then the greatness of our vision and the God-centeredness of our motivation will be an immovable rock in the face of innumerable difficulties.

The second, more fundamental, aspect of the problem of man-centeredness is this: in effect, it places the worth and value of man on a higher plane than the glory of God – which is basically idolatry. If the need of man is of more practical concern than the glory of God – if man’s salvation is not rather one great means to magnify the glory of God’s free love and sovereign grace – then we have failed to recognize the biblical truth that redemption is ultimately designed for the universal display of God’s kindness toward us in the person of Christ (Romans 9:23-24; Ephesians 2:7), under whom he has purposed to bring all creatures, and in whom he has purposed to sum up all things (Ephesians 1:9-12, 20-23). If our evangelism is motivated by a subtle idolatry, how can we expect God to bless and empower our efforts?

—to be continued

~~posted by Zioneer