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The Message of MissionWelcome additionTHE MESSAGE OF MISSION This book is a welcome addition to The Bible Speaks Today series from two evangelical writers with many years of mission experience. In keeping with the format of the series, the theme of mission is explored through the exposition of selected biblical texts. Part one demonstrates the global scope of God's purposes. Part two looks at key Old Testament texts, while part three explores mission as mandated and modelled by Jesus and his church. This includes an important chapter on mission shaped by the cross. The final two chapters on Psalm 104 and Revelation 21-22 are headed 'doxology' and expound the climax of mission (and 'earth-keeping') in the worship of God. The authors take a broad definition of mission as encompassing such issues as human rights and environmental concerns. The exposition amply demonstrates that such a definition reflects the range of what the Bible says about Christian involvement in the world. The result is a lively and engaging introduction to the main issues in contemporary missiology. Yet I was disappointed. This may reflect the high expectations I had. We need a good biblical theology of mission and so I had eagerly anticipated the publication of this volume. A vast range of missiological issues are covered: pluralism, urbanisation, the value of ethno-linguistic classifications, Bible translation, the state of Israel, martyrdom, economics, peacemaking and so on. Such issues are often raised by the text of Scripture. But they are rarely answered from the text. It is good to see due attention being paid to the Old Testament, but there is little awareness of the flow of the biblical story. To pick one obvious omission: Paul's use of the Abrahamic promise to justify his mission to the Gentiles is not discussed - despite a chapter devoted to Genesis 12. The book presents the wisdom of two of evangelicalism's leading missiologists. As such it is highly recommended reading. But we are still left looking for a good modern biblical theology of mission. Tim Chester,
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