Introduction to the Science of Missions

(Inleiding in de Zendingswetenschap)

J. H. BAVINCK

(J. H. Kok N. V. Kampen, The Netherlands, 1954. pps. 309)

Today as seldom before during her fascinating but fearful history the Church of the Lord Jesus is being compelled by her heavenly Lord to take stock of her mission.

Amid the growing paganization and secularization of a modern culture which leaves little if any room for the things of God, the Church must remember who she is and what she must do. With amazing suddenness doors of opportunity are being opened only to be as swiftly closed again. Her mission is to proclaim the glad tidings of God’s grace in Christ Jesus to a world hopelessly lost in sin and plagued by its attendant consequences.

In this book Dr. Bavinck, who is professor of missions at the Free University of Amsterdam and the Theological School at Kampen, addresses himself to the task of writing a manual on missionology, the theological science of missions. For this task he is admirably equipped. For years he served the Reformed Churches of The Netherlands as missionary on their flourishing and far-flung field in Indonesia. Thereafter he returned to Holland and addressed himself most fruitfully to stimulating the churches and her leaders to take seriously this chief of all tasks which our Lord has entrusted to his people. Besides innumerable articles and lectures, several books on missions have come from his pen. He has been one of the moving spirits in the Dutch churches to stir them to greater missionary vigor. But all this activity, he is convinced, must be geared to the principles of the Word of the Living God. This volume, published last year, will fill a large place in the life of the churches for years to come, giving the needed insight into and suggesting the biblical answers to the basic problems which face the churches as they seek to remain true to their missionary responsibilities.

       

         

After his brief introduction, Dr. Bavinck outlines his attempt. The first and by far the longest section deals with the fundamental principles of Christian missions. Here he concerns himself with the basis of the work, the proper approach to the task and the goals to be envisioned…The second section, entitled “Elenctics,” deals with the proper apologetic which the Church and her missionaries must make in conducting the work among those who do not know the gospel. Finally, there is a brief section on the nature, place and task of the history of missions.

Since every page scintillates with penetrating analyses and insights into the glorious calling of the Church, it is impossible within the scope of this review to deal with the material at hand. In every instance the author seeks to cause the light of the Scriptures to faIl on missions. This is evident from the outset. He deals, for example, with such vital and intriguing subjects as “The Future of the Nations in the Old Testament,” “The Idea of Missions in the Gospels and the Book of Acts,” and ‘“The Idea of Missions in the Epistles.” The congregation must be aware of herself as a unique people of God placed in the world to draw others unto the Savior. In its methods of proclaiming the unsearchable riches of divine grace, she must hear what God has said in his Word. Nor may she ever forget the eschatological Significance of her task in relation to the consummation of world history at the return of Christ and the final judgment. Bavinck reminds us that we do not conduct missions because the heathen have called us of their own initiative. Altogether too frequently it is apparent to both the churches and their missionaries that the heathen left to themselves are content with their traditional religions. God alone calls us to this work. And the salvation which the Church must proclaim consists of the redemption and renewal of life in its multifarious aspects. Mere telling of the historical incidents of Jesus’ life and death is not as such a confrontation of the heathen with the gospel.

Both principally and practically mission work is to be conducted by the local congregation as the manifestation of Christ’s Body on earth. Indeed. this may and should be done in close cooperation and conference with sister-congregations. Yet the work must be related as intimately as possible to the local organization. The pointed remarks made at this juncture should be remembered by churches on this side of the ocean, both within and outside of the Reformed communion, who all too frequently have relegated the conducting of missions to denominational boards and committees. Although the author stresses the official character of the work. insisting that it must be done under the supervision of the lawfully constituted officers (the consistory), he gives valuable practical suggestions. At one point he introduces the possibility of placing the erection and development of clinics and hospitals in the hands of individuals, such as Christian doctors who would be willing to use their money and their knowledge in the work. These would then labor in close cooperation with the consistories and under their supervision, so that the missionary impact in the fields of evangelism, medicine and education would always be unified. Facing the overwhelming problem of the economic impoverishment which almost universally obtains in mission lands also today, he argues that the diaconates also have a role to fill in missions.

Since it is impossible to comment on all the aspects of mission work discussed in this volume, we will limit ourselves to a few sections chosen more or less at random. These will sufficiently demonstrate how signal is the contribution made by the author.

One of the most thorny problems to be faced is that of the proper biblical approach to those outside the pale of the gospel. In connection with this the problem of practical method must be answered. The question is often asked whether the churches and missionaries today must literally follow the method of St. Paul. Especially those who champion fun-Hedged indigeneity in missions argue on this basis. Pointedly the author shows that few if any churches or missionaries who adopt this as a principle have been consistent. For that would imply that the missionaries are not to receive any salary but must follow a trade to support themselves in a foreign land. Nor may they ever stay anywhere longer than three years. Usually they will have to spend only a few months in each town or village. Anyone who recognizes the differences between lands and peoples in the days of St. Paul and those among whom the foreign missionary works will readily recognize the folly of the above. Yet, Bavinck claims, a realization that the details of St. Paul’s work are not indicated as a rule for us today by no means commits the Church to the other extreme that the question of methodology is a minor one and needs no Scriptural answer. Many of the basic principles concern themselves with method. Yet the how of missions is largely conditioned by the biblical answer to the what. And our convictions on this score must be determined by the Scriptural replies to such questions as: To whom must the Church go? Who must go in the Name of God? Where must the missionaries go? When must they go? For what purpose must they be sent out?

In discussing the problem of missionary approach, Bavinck suggests some penetrating positions which must be thoughtfully reviewed by the Church. Cogently he asks whether we may limit “preaching” to a vocal rehearsal of the gospel facts. To this he gives an unqualifiedly negative answer. All New Testament preaching is revolutionary in character. It changes human life in its varied relationships. We must demonstrate to the peoples whom we seek to reach with the gospel how that change is to operate in their lives. Preaching is never an isolated act. And in support of his position Bavinck points to the labors of our Lord who is the missionary par excellence. Missionaries must be well-trained and well-salaried so that they are competent and free to prosecute the arduous task to which the Lord has assigned them.

Much has been written in our day about the “comprehensive approach.” Bavinck defines this in the light of the discussions and decisions of the Jerusalem conference of 1928. Then he submits it to some incisive criticism which exposes it to be exceedingly superficial As it is usually defended and pursued in mission lands, it is often lacking in respect to solid theological, biblical foundation. Too often it is thoroughly opportunistic; devoid of spiritual prompting. It is completely in error when it presumes, as it most frequently does, that the spiritual life of man is rooted in the circumstances of life. It is hopelessly misleading, when it simply coordinates evangelistic work with education, medical and economic assistance. Christ has called us to preach his royal Word. But such preaching does involved us in more than a recitation of the way of personal salvation. What must be heralded is the revolutionary world and life-view of the Christian gospel which exposes the helplessness and hopelessness in which modem man is involved and reveals the power unto a new life in Jesus Christ our Lord. Hence the missionary is to be an example as well as a proclaimer. Yet in his approach he must be acutely aware of the danger of substituting the accidents of Western culture, which may in large measure be the outgrowth of its centuries-old confrontation with the Christian faith, for the indigenous cultural pattern of the peoples among whom he called to labor. Yet he must also be on guard against importing the present-day dualism between Western civilization in its daily manifestations and the Christian message. Especially when the missionary labors in such fields as medicine and education he must recognize the problem of standing with one foot on the Word and with the other on secular culture and science. All these services receive a legitimate place on the mission field, as Christian congregations begin to develop. The heathen must first come in answer to the compulsion of the Christian witness, because they are convinced that the God of heaven and earth is with us.

We would comment on but one more section of this thorough work. It deals with the mother (sending) church and her obligation to the younger churches on the ReId. This is a relevant issue for the churches back home. In the New Testament we find no sharp distinction between the two. Nowhere does the mother Church have any direct authority over the mission congregation. Paul appOinted elders and deacons and clothed them with authority not by virtue of his appointment by the Church at Antioch but as an apostle. And throughout his life he continued his supervision over them by virtue of that same apostolic calling.

Bavinck feels the difficulty of drawing parallels here between the New Testament situation and what obtains today for that reason. To a large extent he is convinced that the practical situations which obtain on any given field will largely determine the policy to be followed by the missionaries. Yet he warns incessantly against keeping the younger churches in a state of immaturity and non-responsibility. This is dangerous not only for them but also for the mother churches and the missionaries.

The goal of complete withdrawal must be clearly kept in mind and labored for continually. The younger and older churches are not just partners in the common venture of spreading the gospel; they constitute one Church. Hence the younger churches must take over full responsibility, first internally with respect to their own life and later also externally for the continued triumph of the Word of salvation. But they will need money and leadership which usually can be supplied by the churches at home. Too close a regulation of the life of the mission churches will soon throttle all spontaneous growth, self-support and witnessing. For them it will become too easy, when the first thrill of knowing the power of the Christian gospel passes, to allow the missionaries to assume full responsibility and to do all the work. Our present task on any field where the Christian Church is emerging is to train evangelists and preachers, to prepare and publish a Hood of Christian literature, and to encourage the believers to assume leadership from the very inception of congregational life. Bavinck contends that now is the time to stop talking and arguing indigeneity and begin its consistent practice.

From the above it is evident that Dr. Bavinck has made a signal contribution to our mission literature. His rich insights, long experience as a missionary and wholehearted commitment to the cause have produced, a most valuable and stimulating work. Every minister and missionary without exception, as well as all members who are conversant with the Dutch language, should avail themselves of the book without delay and read and re-read what he has written. It is our sincere hope that Dr. Bavinck’s contribution to our mission literature will soon be translated into English, so that many more will be able to acquaint themselves with his presentation of this vital subject.

Pella, Iowa