A. What Is Biblical Mission? “Biblical mission means more than simply going overseas to plant churches or spread civilization. It means the church participating in the ‘mission of God (Missio Dei)’ and seeking the restoration of God’s rule and glory throughout the whole earth. Mission is not a program that begins with human enthusiasm; rather, it is the heart of God that runs throughout the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, and is a fundamental reason for the church’s existence. Let me clearly summarize five essential principles of true mission as presented in Scripture. 🌍 1. The Mission of God (Missio Dei) The subject and initiator of mission is not human beings but God. In order to save fallen humanity, God first comes to us, sends His Son, and sends the Holy Spirit. He is the “missionary God” who sends. Biblical basis: “As the Father has sent me, I also send you.” (John 20:21) Key meaning: The church acknowledges that God has the initiative in mission and serves as His agent, obed...
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/politics-threatens-unity/ Wisdom When Politics Threatens Church Unity Review: ‘How Can I Love Church Members with Different Politics?’ by Jonathan Leeman and Andy Naselli AUGUST 12, 2022 | DANIEL ANDERSON © Unsplash SHARE TWEET EMAIL The day before the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic, a small book by Jonathan Leeman and Andy Naselli was released: How Can I Love Church Members with Different Politics? Nobody knew at the time how much we’d need it. Faint cracks in relationships between Christians have become deep chasms as we disagree over one political issue after another. There is a detail hidden in the title of this short book that’s key to its wisdom: it’s a book about loving church members. It’s not a book about bringing civility back to politics or about how Christians should engage in political vocations. Even less is it an argument for a set of political doctrines that Chr...