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Introduction to Global Missions. By Zane Pratt, M. David Sills, and Jeff K. Walters. Nashville: B&H, 2014, 280 pp., $23.14.
The authors of Introduction to Global Missions are current or former professors at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Each contributor has experience on the mission field outside of the USA working with the International Mission Board and has contributed books and articles in the sphere of missiology.
Following a helpful introductory chapter on the missionary call and knowing God's will, the book's four sections are: (1) "Biblical and Theological Foundations for Global Missions," (2) "Historical Foundations for Global Missions," (3) "Culture and Global Missions," and (4) "The Practice of Global Missions." From the outset, the authors give helpful definitions of terms relating to missions, culture, people groups, literacy, etc. Of significance, they define "missionary" as "someone who intentionally crosses boundaries for the purpose of communicating the gospel to win people to Christ, discipling new believers, planting churches, training biblically qualified leaders, and ministering to the whole body of Christ in holistic ways" (p. 3). Although it is preferred that the definition would include the role of local church leadership in approving and sending the missionary, the definition sets the tone of the book as being firmly grounded in Scripture, which then produces a theology of missions. Because many people think of missions as solely evangelism and church planting, it is refreshing to see the authors use Matt 28:18-20 and 2 Tim 2:2 to emphasize the critical role of discipleship and training nationals in missionary work. As they write, "The greater tragedy of the world today is not that it is 'unreached' but rather that it is undiscipled" (p. 20).
One of the great strengths of the book is chapter three: "The Missiological Basis of the Bible." The contributors set forth a clear, God-centered exposition of the missio Dei that is in agreement with the theology of John Piper in his Let the Nations Be Glad! (1993). God's passion for his glory is then explained in terms of his global agenda of calling out people for his name's sake, as unfolded through the pages of the OT and NT. In their treatment of the Gospels, the authors once again give a fitting description of the mission...