The Theology of Missions

THE THEOLOGY OF MISSIONS

A Paper
Presented to Dr. Scott Edgar
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for
Introduction To World Missions

By

Jerome Davis
L23666119
September 12, 2010

THE ORIGIN OF BIBLICAL MISSIONS

The theology of missions is a biblical concept. A careful reading of scripture will reveal a solid foundation for missions. The Bible alone proves that missions weren’t an afterthought to God, but rather an intention in His providential mind. Missio Dei, Latin for “the sending of God,” is a relatively new term in mission circles. This term “Missio Dei” alludes to the reality that mission begins with God.
As the biblical narrative of Genesis chapter three unfolds with the Fall of Man, we find God initiating a rescue mission to recover His created prize, man. In essence, the story of mission from that time on has been the story of God reaching out to humans, who are asked to choose sides. A relevant Old Testament text that discloses the missionary mind of God is Gen. 12:1-3, which describes the Abrahamic Covenant. In this passage, God is captured initiating a covenant with Abram, who would soon be called Abraham. God promised Abraham that He would make him a great nation, to bless him, to make his name great, to bless those who bless him, and to curse those who curse him.
The end of God’s promise to Abraham reads, “and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” Gen. 12:3 (KJV). The fulfillment of God’s initiated promise is the Person of Jesus Christ. All families of the earth are blessed as they become a part of the spiritual family of Abraham through faith in Jesus Christ. The focal point for Israel and the nations of the earth is the Man of Promise, who was to come in Abraham and David’s “seed”: Jesus Christ.
A New Testament text that supports a strong biblical foundation for mission is Matt. 28:19-20. This passage has come to be recognized as “The Great Commission.” Upon Jesus’ departure at the end of His earthly ministry, He commands His disciples to go, make disciples, and teach. This commandment asserts that all who have come into a personal relationship with Jesus has this responsibility. Mission in the New Testament is more than a matter of obeying a command. It is, rather, the result of an encounter with Christ.
In reading these well-known biblical passages, it is obvious that the heart of God is in mission. The perfections of God who characterizes His divine nature motivate Him to pursue man through mission. God pursues those who are depraved, disconnected, and destitute of His saving grace because of His love and concern for His creation. Such was the case with Jonah and the people of Nineveh. Jonah’s chief compliant in his refusal to obey God’s command to go and preach in the city of Nineveh involved the merciful and kind nature of God. It is easy for one to view the events of the Old Testament through the lenses of a God who is full of anger and wrath, but this passage demonstrates God’s longsuffering and willingness to forgive those who repent and believe on Him.

THE OVERLAPING THEOLOGICAL SPHERE OF BIBLICAL MISSIONS
We discover that the theology of missions is suited in the fabric of scripture because God is a missionary God. Moreover, there is an overlapping theological sphere with mission theology and other aspects of theology. Mission theology should be at the heart of the church’s theology, serving as an anchor for the rest of the theological “house.” Mission theology springs from biblical revelation. Paul Borthwick, Minister of Mission at Grace Chapel in Lexington, Massachusetts writes in reference to the biblical perspective of missions, “The first foundation stone we need is the Word of God.” Since theology of missions is established in scripture, it relates to other aspects of theology that have their roots in scripture. The theology of Christ’s atoning and redemptive work is interrelated with missions. Christ is the center of missions because He is who we share with the world. It is through faith in Christ that one receives eternal life. The theology of the return of Jesus is also interrelated with missions. Understanding that Jesus can return at any moment emphasizes the urgency to share Christ with the world.
There are key themes and motifs that guide the theology of missions. These key themes and motifs are imperative to being successful. Themes and motifs are the fuel that ignites a continual fire beneath mission. They give focus and direction that flows from a biblical perspective. Critical to any theology of mission is a guiding theme or metaphor. Themes are the central focus and reasoning behind launching a mission. Motifs are also important. A motif is a recurring pattern or element of the house. These recurring elements are nothing more or less than vital doctrines of our Christian Faith. Motifs undergird the key guiding theme of a mission. It reveals to us a better understanding of what God expects missions to be.

THE OPERATION OF BIBLICAL MISSIONS
Once we see that God is a missionary God, the next question which may arise is “What is to be done now?” To the missionary, he or she can have confidence and peace in knowing that God, whose heart is in missions, has called them to perform this great task. Although there will be many challenges, moments of uncertainty, certain rejection of the faith, and perhaps pain of persecution, knowing that God is with them will be their peace. To accomplish what God intends for us in this world, we must be working cooperatively with Him and each other.
Compliance is not an option to church leaders who are enlightened to the biblical mandate of missions. Teaching and training in missions for the congregation can begin from the leadership. The awareness of God’s worldwide plan for all people can be instilled within the hearts and minds of the congregation through competent leaders. The discovery of a local people group that needs to be reached can become a project through the efforts of church leaders. As a result, the church could grow to see a larger vision for missions.
To the laity who is not involved in full-time ministry, the mandate to be actively involved in missions is the same. Sharing the gospel is the privilege of every single believer. The norm should be that every Christian is actively sharing his faith.
The evidence is clear that the theology of missions is solely based in scripture and has implications for all believers. Mission is etched in God’s heart and he speaks clearly to us through His word so that mission may be in our hearts.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Borthwick, Paul. How To Be A World Class Christian. Georgia: OM
Literature, 2002.

McRaney, Will Jr. The Art of Personal Evangelism. Tennessee: B&H
Publishing Group, 2003.

Moreau, Scott A., Corwin, Gary R., McGee, Gary B. Introducing
World Missions: A Biblical, Historical, and Practical Survey. Michigan: Baker Academic, 2004.

Winter, Ralph D., Hawthorne, Stephen C. Perspectives: On The
World Christian Movement. California: The Institute of International Studies, 2009.

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[ 1 ]. Scott A. Moreau, Gary R. Corwin, Gary B. McGee, Introducing World Missions: A Biblical, Historical, and Practical Survey (Michigan: Baker Academic, 2004), 73.
[ 2 ]. Ibid., 30.
[ 3 ]. Ralph D. Winter, Stephen C. Hawthorne, Perspectives: On The World Christian Movement (California: The
Institute of International Studies, 2009), 12.
[ 4 ]. Ibid., 81.
[ 5 ]. Moreau, Introducing World Missions, 76.
[ 6 ]. Paul Borthwick, How To Be A World Class Christian (Georgia: OM Literature, 2002), 34.
[ 7 ]. Moreau, Introducing World Missions, 76.
[ 8 ]. Ibid., 79.
[ 9 ]. Borthwick, How To Be A World Class Christian, 27.
[ 10 ]. Will McRaney Jr., The Art of Personal Evangelism (Tennessee: B&H Publishing Group, 2003), 44.

Bibliography: Borthwick, Paul. How To Be A World Class Christian. Georgia: OM Literature, 2002. McRaney, Will Jr. The Art of Personal Evangelism. Tennessee: B&H Publishing Group, 2003. and Practical Survey (Michigan: Baker Academic, 2004), 73. [ 3 ]. Ralph D. Winter, Stephen C. Hawthorne, Perspectives: On The World Christian Movement (California: The Institute of International Studies, 2009), 12. [ 6 ]. Paul Borthwick, How To Be A World Class Christian (Georgia: OM Literature, 2002), 34. [ 10 ]. Will McRaney Jr., The Art of Personal Evangelism (Tennessee: B&H Publishing Group, 2003), 44.