Cornerstone Curriculum, Official Certification Edition

LESSON 1 | FOUNDATIONS FOR CHRISTIAN MISSION: VISION AND BIBLICAL FOUNDATION / 391

one direction but flee from you in seven” (NIV). He does this many times in the history of Israel, appearing in a variety of forms and using different means to win the battle. God often uses forces of nature, his own creation, as his weapons. At the crossing of the Red Sea when Israel is saved and Egypt judged, God uses the winds to push back the waters of the Sea to allow Israel safe access to the other side and then collapses the waters to kill the Egyptians (Exod. 14 and 15). Later when Joshua fights against a coalition of southern Canaanite kings, God uses large hailstones to kill the enemy and causes the sun to stop in the sky so there would be more daylight in which to finish the battle (Josh 10.1-15). On other occasions God uses his heavenly army to fight Israel’s enemies.

~ Leland Ryken. The Dictionary of Biblical Imagery . (electronic ed.) Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000. p. 211.

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CONNECTION

U rban M i s s i on

This lesson deals with one of the single most important motifs in all of Scripture, and not merely in relationship to the issue of mission. The motif of Mission as the War of the Spheres touches upon a truly significant theme that holds great significance for our understanding of the work of Messiah and of the Church. It could easily be argued that this theme is a central notion for grasping the meaning of not only mission, but the very identity and work of the Church. Therefore, review these concepts carefully, and ensure that you can support them with an appeal to Scripture. • The motif of Mission as the War of the Spheres is perhaps the most dynamic image of mission in Scripture, and deals directly with the establishment and proclamation of God’s kingdom rule in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. • A brief overview of the warfare motif in Scripture begins with Yahweh as creator and sustainer of all. At some time in the ancient and distant past, the mystery of iniquity occurred (i.e., the satanic rebellion in the heavenlies), which resulted in the temptation and fall of humankind, and the curse. Still, God placed hostility between the Seed of the woman and the serpent, and sovereignly and graciously promised to crush the head of the serpent through the Seed of the woman. As a result of the Fall, the universe is at war and God has declared himself at war with the serpent and those who side with him.

Summary of Key Concepts