Overview of Missiology

I. The Term Missiology The word missiology came into the English language through the French word missiologie  It is a compound of the Latin word missio and the Greek word logos  Missio refers to the mission of God – a common term used to describe the mission of God is missio dei (which literally means, the sending of God)  Logos means, “the study of”

I. The Term Missiology  Missiology connotes what happens when we fuse the mission of God with the nature of humankind  Bird’s eye view of the Bible  Redeemed human beings become agents of God’s mission  God’s mission becomes the task of God’s elected people

I. The Term Missiology  Missiology is the formal study of missions  It points out why, when and how God and human beings cooperate in redemptive activity  Question: what would you say is included in the formal study of missions?

II. Definition of Missiology  “The investigation of the most profitable God-ordained methods leading to the conversion of those outside of Christ” (Abraham Kuyper)

II. Definition of Missiology  “The scholarly treatment, from the point of view of both history and theory, of the expansion of Christianity among non- Christians” (Olav Myklebust)

II. Definition of Missiology  “Missiology is the study of the salvation activities of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit throughout the world geared toward bringing the kingdom of God into existence” (Johannes Verkuyl)

II. Definition of Missiology  “The academic discipline or science which researches, records and applies data relating to the biblical origin, the history, the anthropological principles and techniques and the theological base of the Christian mission. [It includes]: the process by which the Christian message is communicated; the encounters brought about by its proclamation to non-Christians; the planting of the Church and organization of congregations, [and] the incorporation of converts into these congregations…” (Alan Tippett)

III. Theology of Mission 1.Must be based on sound Biblical and Systematic Theology a.This will help avoid the error of defining missions in terms of “benevolent humanism” 2.Must be based on the missionary nature of God a.It is in God’s nature to reach out to people b.The redemptive activity of God forms the pattern for us c.God the Father sent the Son, who became incarnate

III. Theology of Mission 3.Must take into account the missionary nature of the Bible a.It is a record of God’s redemptive activity in the world b.Moves from the Adamic covenant (Gen. 3:15) to the Noahic covenant (Gen. 8:20ff) to the Abrahamic covenant (Gen. 12; 15; 17) to the Mosaic covenant (Exod ) to the Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7) to the New covenant (Luke 22:7ff)

III. Theology of Mission 4.Must take into account the missionary nature of the church a.God’s kingdom is expanding b.The church exists as an instrument to bring people into the kingdom of God c.Local congregations are part of the universal church

III. Theology of Mission 5.Involves the missionary nature of the Christian ministry a.Eph. 4:11, 12 b.The priesthood of all believers 6.Missionary nature of the Holy Spirit a.John 15:26-27; 16:5-15

III. Theology of Mission 7.Must take into account the local context – the time, place, language, culture – where mission will be done a.The gospel will be communicated differently in different cultures i.Hindu culture vs Jewish culture b.The culture of the world, as well as that of the US, is changing