Missiologists and experts in church growth often use sociological and anthropological models for their analyses and projections that have been developed outside of the biblical tradition. Missiologists of different persuasions and backgrounds have commented on this trend critically, demanding a return to biblical and genuinely theological foundations. Based on conviction that the Bible, as sacred Scripture, is the authority not only for faith but also for practice, and not only for the private life of the individual Christian but also for the life of the church of Jesus Christ as a whole, in both its universal and local expressions, attempts to adopt lessons. from the missions of Jesus and of the apostles are to be welcomed. Indeed, if the interpretation of New Testament texts no longer serves to authenticate missionary work, then scholars have capitulated to the often controversial results and aporias of source, tradition and redaction criticism. However, one will quickly find that many attempts to learn and adopt biblical “lessons” make do without historical clarification, careful exegesis and hermeneutical reflection. It is not surprising, therefore, that “principles” of missionary work or church growth that are distilled from the New Testament sometimes are somewhat simplistic.
BOOM!
From Early Christian Missions byEckhard Schnabel. Anyone want to buy me a copy?