The foundation of all conservative missionary work is the con-
I erintae for a Philosophy
of the Christian Mission
BY HAROLD LINDSELL
Every movement is undergirded by a basic philosophy whether that philosophy is known and expressed or unknown and unarticulated. The missionary activities of those who are wedded to a conservative theological viewpoint are founded on a basic philosophy which is generally known to them and which, while it has not appeared in print too often, has been adequately articulated in the minds of those who accept it. Although it is impossible here to delineate all of the presuppositions undergirding conservative missionary endeavor, there are five which are worthy of mention.
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1. The Infallible Word of God
The foundation of all conservative missionary work is the concept of the Bible as the infallible Word of God. By this it is con-
strued that the Bible, in the autographa, is without error of any kind, whether historical, geological, theological, etc. The view dis- — avows mechanical dictation, and allows for differences in individual styles of writing. It embraces the idea that revelation pro- : gresses and adheres to the dictum that while all Scripture is inspired — a not all Scripture is necessarily true. Thus it holds that the Bible is inspired from cover to cover, but recognizes that many statements — are simply accurate records of what wicked, lying, or sinful men —
~ are reported to have said.