Foundations for Christian Mission, Mentor's Guide, MG04

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F O U N D A T I O N S F O R C H R I S T I A N M I S S I O N

Theology is first the activity of thinking and speaking about God (theologizing), and second the product of that activity (Luther’s theology, or Wesley’s, or Finney’s, or Wimber’s, or Packer’s, or whoever’s). As an activity, theology is a cat’s cradle of interrelated though distinct disciplines: elucidating texts (exegesis), synthesiz- ing what they say on the things they deal with (biblical theology), seeing how the faith was stated in the past (historical theology), formulat- ing it for today (systematic theology), finding its implications for conduct (ethics), commending and defending it as truth and wisdom (apologetics), defining the Christian task in the world (missiol- ogy), stockpiling resources for life in Christ (spirituality) and corporate worship (liturgy), and exploring ministry (practical theology). ~ J. I. Packer, Concise Theology: A Guide to Historic Christian Beliefs. (electronic ed.). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1995.

C. Four pictures of mission in Scripture

1. Mission is the Drama of All Time : God is the major character in the greatest plot motif of all time.

2. Mission is the Fulfillment of the Divine Promise : God fulfilling his promise as the covenant God of faithfulness.

3. Mission is the Romance of the Ages : God as the bridegroom of his redeemed humanity.

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4. Mission is the War of the Spheres : God as the warrior reestablishing his rule over the universe.

II. Mission as the Drama of All Time

From Before to Beyond Time . Adapted from Suzanne de Dietrich, God’s Unfolding Purpose (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1976).

A. Before Time (Eternity Past), Ps. 90.1-2, “Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. [2] Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”

1. The eternal Triune God, Ps. 102.24-27

2. God’s eternal purpose, 2 Tim. 1.9; Isa. 14.26-27

a. To glorify his name in creation, Prov. 16.4; Ps. 135.6; Isa. 48.11