Foreword
FOREWORD
Today, Christian missions is in the blessed state of utter confusion! The claim “evangelization of the world in our generation” represented the “holy confidence” of the Edinburgh Missionary Conference (1910) among the western mission leaders. This “confidence” may have been confused with the western political or colonial power. Ironically, as the colonial system broke down, global Christianity shifted radically and grew exponentially. With almost two-thirds of world Christians now living in the three southern continents, and their immigrant communities bringing new energy to the waning churches in the North, a large space has opened up for creative rethinking of Christian witnessing. Hence, the rethinking and revisioning process of mission urges us all to go back to the Scripture afresh, devoid of any cultural lenses but listening to the Holy Spirit.
Given this unique locus of today’s church, this book takes us back to the foundational teachings of Jesus on missions: the Great Commission (Gospel of Matthew) and the Messianic Commission (Gospel of John). Although these two passages are “universal” in grounding Christian mission, Professor Keener wants to assure that the role of the Holy Spirit is central to Christian living and acting as God’s witnesses. The chapter on Pentecost is an important contribution not only to Pentecostals in missions but the entire Christian church. The growth of Pentecostal Christianity, which has fueled the radical shift in and expansion of the global church, will find that this chapter serves as the firm foundation for Spirit-empowered witnessing. The last chapter presents the fundamental and equally challenging feature of global missions: crossing barriers. This drive to embrace diversity and desire for unity appears counter-intuitive and even counter–norm. This seeming contradiction can take place only when Christ’s followers invite the work of the Holy Spirit into their life! At the end of this rather short reading, one is left with a deep sense that we have been commissioned to live, work, and proclaim in this world as Christ’s witnesses through the power of the Holy Spirit. Implicitly, the book also urges the readers to redefine missions in the Spirit!
Wonsuk Ma, PhD
Dean, Distinguished Professor of Global Christianity
College of Theology and Ministry, Oral Roberts University