Archive
Book Review: The Open Secret
Lesslie Newbigin takes the reader through theological exploration, individual evaluation, and his own vast cross-cultural experience to a perspective of how the truths of Scripture are intended for every tribe and tongue. We are not meant to horde the truths of salvation, but, instead share them with the world.Newbigin artfully informs us that missions is truly Trinitarian: declaring the Kingdom of God the Father, glorifying the person of Jesus, and accomplishing the labor of the Holly Spirit. He develops his theology of missions within the truths of Scripture. He also critiques the church growth movement’s view of missions, showing how it greatly limits the focus on the Bible, resulting in the limiting of God’s glory.
He masterfully addresses the topic of election and missions. Why be a missionary if God has already chosen His elect? As we look at how the truth of Scripture fits in with the history of the world, it is mandatory to realize that the true meaning of the world is found only in the Bible. Because of this, we must proclaim this faith in a public way and not privatize our faith as if it is not part of God’s world history.
Newbigin points out that, “God’s reign concerns history in its unity and totality.” It is imperative that we bow to His authority in our witness to the human race. Often we determine missionary and evangelistic tactics depending on our own thoughts and strengths, forgetting the most important thing about the missions experience. It is not our ability that counts, it is God’s.
Posted on April 6, 2007