THE MISSION OF GOD’S PEOPLE: A BIBLICAL THEOLOGY OF THE CHURCH’S MISSION by CHRISTOPHER J. H. WRIGHT
INTRODUCTION
What can the entire Bible, including both testaments, teach us about the purpose of God’s people, who they are, and what they are to be and accomplish in the world? This is the topic that The Mission of God’s People seeks to address. (17). Therefore, when Wright uses the term “mission,” he refers to the overarching goal that unifies all that God’s people are called to be and do in this world. So, when he writes, “I am thinking of all that God is doing in his great purpose for the whole of creation and all that he calls us to do in cooperation with that purpose,” he is thinking of both what God is doing and what he is calling us to do. (25)
The focus of the book’s first half is focused on the kind of individuals God is calling us to be. People who identify as Christians ought to be “People Who Know the Story They Are Part of” (ch. 2), “People Who Care for Creation” (ch. 3), “People Who Walk in God’s Way” (ch. 5), and “People Who Represent God to the World” (ch. 7). Wright shifts his attention in the second half to the particular duties God’s mission calls us to after laying this theological and ethical framework. He calls us to be, in particular, “People Who Bear Witness to the Living God”, “People Who Proclaim the Gospel of Christ” (chapters 10 and 11), and “People Who Live and Work in the Public Square” (chapters 13).
MAIN IDEAS
The mission of God is what unites the Bible from creation to new creation, according to Wright, who advocated for a “missional hermeneutic of the whole Bible.” Building on that basis, Mission of God’s People responds to the “so what” question; “If the Bible renders to us the grand mission of God through all generations of history, what does it tell us about the mission of God’s people in each generation, including our own? What is our mission?” (17).
The Exodus serves as the primary Old Testament example of God acting as a Redeemer, according to Wright. This is what God’s redemptive work looks like. (41). He claims once more that “God’s idea of redemption is exodus-shaped” (96). By this, Wright argues that just as the Exodus had political, economic, social, and spiritual dimensions, so too does God’s ultimate act of atonement, the Cross of Christ, have the same range. Wright contends that the biblical concept of redemption not only draws inspiration from the exodus but also “matches” the exodus at every significant point (103). The application of this viewpoint in practice is described as follows by Wright:
The exodus has been seen as the biblical foundation par excellence for theologies of mission that emphasize the importance of social, political, and economic concern alongside the spiritual dimensions of personal forgiveness. Or rather, and with greater biblical faithfulness, it is the biblical basis for the integration of all these dimensions within the comprehensive good news of the biblical gospel. Such holistic, or integral, understandings of mission point to the totality of what God accomplished for Israel in the paradigmatic redemptive event—the exodus. And I believe they are right to do so. (109)
The book makes apparent Wright’s well-known emphasis on holistic mission: “We need a holistic gospel because the world is in a holistic mess” (p. 110). He states unequivocally that evangelical proclamation is always necessary in order to carry out the mission of God because ministries to meet human needs are never sufficient on their own. The goal of God’s people, in page 179, is to spread good news in a world where bad news is depressingly common.
Wright very cautiously maintains that the spreading of the gospel has “a certain priority” in the church’s mission, following the Lausanne covenant of 1974 and the “Grand Rapids Report” of 1982. Nevertheless, he quickly asserts that “in missional practice, the distinction is hardly, if ever, a real one” (276) even then. As with prayer and Bible reading in a Christian’s devotional life, Wright argues that evangelism and social action should be so entwined in our practice that it is essentially irrelevant to ask which is more important (277).
Wright responds to the idea that “‘centrality’ as opposed to ‘primacy’ might be a better word for evangelism within mission” (278). He interprets the concept of evangelism’s “centrality” in a way that implies complete interdependence between evangelism and social action without supporting or dismissing this terminology: “If evangelism is like the hub, connected to the engine of the gospel power of God, then it also takes the living demonstration of the gospel in Christians’ engagement with the world to give the hub connection and traction with the context—the road” (278).
My View of this Book
In addition to offering motivation and guidance for carrying out the cultural mission, Wright’s insights on ministry in the public sphere elevate the frequently disregarded work and ministry of lay people in the public sphere. His chapter on mission as sending and receiving is a shining example of depth, breadth, and heartrending summary in biblical theology, and it will leave thoughtful readers reflecting for days after they have read it.
On occasion, Wright utilizes language that unnecessarily merges the identity of the church with that of Israel. In the current dispensation, the church effectively fills much of Israel’s role in carrying out God’s mission and serving as God’s ambassador to the outside world, and he is correct in this. However, in the New Testament era, national Israel still has its own identity. It would have been beneficial to draw a clearer difference between the extent to which the church accepts Israel’s uniqueness and its limitations.
Wright discusses texts from the New Testament that support and expand on ideas that are founded in the Old Testament after discussing the Old Testament principles that provide the basis for missional thinking and behavior in the majority of these chapters. Wright has not given enough emphasis to these important New Testament passages on mission, which leads to less consideration of normally highlighted New Testament texts, such as the different New Testament passages about the Great Commission.
CONCLUSION
The importance of missions is widely acknowledged among Christians, yet many are unsure of its full scope. Is it packing up your belongings and leaving your nation of residence? A theology degree, is that it? Is it giving sermons on the street? The ultimate goal of God’s people is His glory, even though their missions may also involve such things. And the main way that God is honored by His people is by seeing them put the truths they have accepted from the gospel of Christ into practice. It also means that, Christians “have a mission that is as broad as the earth, for which we are commanded to care” (p. 265). Everything a Christian is, says, and does should be missional in its deliberate involvement in the mission of God in God’s world.
order noroxin online: sumycin generictrimox for sale
Hey there just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a few of the pictures aren’t loading correctly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different internet browsers and both show the same outcome.
Thanks a lot for the blog post.Thanks Again. Cool.
I¦ve recently started a site, the information you offer on this website has helped me greatly. Thanks for all of your time & work.
Thanks for sharing excellent informations. Your site is very cool. I’m impressed by the details that you?¦ve on this blog. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for more articles. You, my friend, ROCK! I found simply the info I already searched everywhere and simply could not come across. What a great web-site.
Keep working ,terrific job!
The following time I read a weblog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I mean, I do know it was my option to learn, however I actually thought youd have something attention-grabbing to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about one thing that you could possibly repair if you werent too busy looking for attention.
Very interesting points you have remarked, appreciate it for putting up. “The biggest fool may come out with a bit of sense when you least expect it.” by Eden Phillpotts.
you are really a good webmaster. The website loading speed is incredible. It seems that you are doing any unique trick. Furthermore, The contents are masterwork. you have done a fantastic job on this topic!
I truly wanted to compose a word in order to say thanks to you for some of the nice recommendations you are showing at this site. My extensive internet lookup has at the end been compensated with brilliant facts to go over with my relatives. I ‘d point out that we readers are very much fortunate to be in a decent network with many outstanding professionals with great pointers. I feel very much happy to have seen the weblog and look forward to many more thrilling minutes reading here. Thank you again for a lot of things.
A big thank you for your post.Thanks Again. Awesome.
Hi my family member! I want to say that this article is awesome, nice written and come with approximately all vital infos. I would like to look extra posts like this.
I’ve been exploring for a bit for any high quality articles or blog posts on this sort of area . Exploring in Yahoo I eventually stumbled upon this web site. Reading this info So i’m glad to show that I have a very good uncanny feeling I discovered exactly what I needed. I such a lot for sure will make certain to do not put out of your mind this website and give it a look regularly.
DAFTAR SBOBET ONLINEBandar game taruhan judi bola terbesar di ASIA dan terbaik di dunia judi bola resmi SBOBET.
Great items from you, man. I’ve have in mind your stuff prior to and you’re just extremely great. I actually like what you have acquired right here, certainly like what you’re stating and the best way in which you say it. You are making it entertaining and you still care for to stay it smart. I can not wait to learn much more from you. This is really a wonderful site.
I’ve been exploring for a little for any high-quality articles or weblog posts in this sort of area . Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this web site. Studying this information So i am satisfied to exhibit that I have a very just right uncanny feeling I discovered just what I needed. I such a lot no doubt will make certain to do not put out of your mind this web site and give it a look regularly.
A formidable share, I simply given this onto a colleague who was doing a little bit analysis on this. And he in truth bought me breakfast as a result of I found it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the treat! But yeah Thnkx for spending the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love studying more on this topic. If attainable, as you develop into experience, would you thoughts updating your blog with extra particulars? It’s highly useful for me. Huge thumb up for this blog put up!
You can definitely see your expertise in the article you write.The arena hopes for more passionate writers such as you who are not afraid tosay how they believe. At all times follow your heart.
F*ckin¦ tremendous issues here. I¦m very satisfied to see your article. Thanks a lot and i’m looking ahead to contact you. Will you please drop me a e-mail?
Great beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your site, how could i subscribe for a blog web site? The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear concept
Thanks for this post, I am a big fan of this web site would like to continue updated.
Only a smiling visitant here to share the love (:, btw outstanding design and style.
Have you ever thought about creating an ebook or guest authoring on other sites? I have a blog based on the same ideas you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my subscribers would enjoy your work. If you are even remotely interested, feel free to send me an e-mail.
Some genuinely interesting info , well written and generally user friendly.
Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I’ve really loved browsing your blog posts. After all I will be subscribing to your feed and I’m hoping you write once more very soon!
The root of your writing whilst appearing agreeable originally, did not settle properly with me personally after some time. Somewhere within the paragraphs you managed to make me a believer but only for a very short while. I however have a problem with your leaps in assumptions and one would do nicely to fill in all those gaps. When you actually can accomplish that, I will definitely be impressed.
An impressive share, I just given this onto a colleague who was doing a little analysis on this. And he in fact bought me breakfast because I found it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the treat! But yeah Thnkx for spending the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love reading more on this topic. If possible, as you become expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more details? It is highly helpful for me. Big thumb up for this blog post!
I keep listening to the news bulletin speak about receiving boundless online grant applications so I have been looking around for the finest site to get one. Could you tell me please, where could i get some?
I like the helpful info you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and check again here frequently. I am quite certain I’ll learn lots of new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!
you’re really a good webmaster. The web site loading speed is amazing. It seems that you are doing any unique trick. Also, The contents are masterwork. you’ve done a wonderful job on this topic!
I just like the valuable info you provide on your articles.
I’ll bookmark your blog and take a look at again here frequently.
I’m fairly sure I’ll be informed a lot of new stuff proper right here!
Good luck for the next!
Excellent article. I am facing a few of these issues as
well..
Aw, this was a very nice post. In concept I want to put in writing like this moreover – taking time and precise effort to make an excellent article… however what can I say… I procrastinate alot and in no way appear to get one thing done.