Dear Editor,
John M’s article, ‘Mixing mission’ (en May), highlights concerns about churches no longer prioritising missions as they used to. While this concern is understandable, the power of the plea is diminished because no biblical analysis of the problem is offered.
In this regard it is instructive to inquire how the Apostle Paul sought to motivate churches to mission in Romans. I would argue that there are three elements to Paul’s missionary motivation strategy.
Firstly, personal testimony. Paul tells us how he himself is motivated by the gospel: ‘I am not ashamed – because it is God’s power to turn an empire upside down!’ And then, in chapter 16 he bears testimony to the many men and women who have struggled with him in the gospel mission.
Secondly, and by far the most significant part of his letter, he gives his intellectual all to a comprehensive explanation of the gospel that he preaches and which changes lives.
It is a comprehensive exposé of universal guilt; a revolutionary revelation of divine righteousness at the cross as the resolution of the issue of offended deity vs. corrupt humanity. The arguments are embedded in scriptural history. Paul is radical in his presentation of our union with Christ being the spiritual fulcrum around which the conundrum of our eternal security and our ongoing battle with sin can be resolved. We are overwhelmed by the Trinitarian fullness of the resources committed to the successful living of the Christian life. Finally, we are awed before the sovereignty of a God who is orchestrating the revelation of his full glory through the interworking of Jewish and Gentile destinies in cosmic history.
Thirdly, and far more intriguing, is Paul’s application, which treats only very indirectly of mission. One could summarise his application as: live worthily of this gospel in the church and in the world; do not undermine those young in the faith; take note of those showing fervour for the gospel; and watch out for Satan and his imposters in the church.
If this was Paul’s method of operationalis-ing the Great Commission, can ours be less?
Yours sincerely,
