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Christianity Today, January, 2007 |

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Don't Mess with Missions

Paradigms in Conflict argues against changing missionary theories and practice.

Review by Jim Reapsome | posted 1/19/2007 08:49AM

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David Hesselgrave's thesis: "Although changes there must and will be, the future of Christian missions will depend more on changes that are not made than it will on changes that are made." He weaves insights from biblical theology, missionary experience and history, and the social sciences into a strong case for leaving missionary theories and practice pretty much untouched.

Hesselgrave's questions have been fertile ground for debate among missionaries and missiologists for a long time. Among them: sovereignty and free will, universalism, the gospel and other faiths, spiritual warfare, our missionary model (Jesus or Paul?), and power encounter.

Hesselgrave provides mission leaders in churches—as well as professors of mission—a helpful basis for thorough discussion from numerous vantage points.

He gives ample space to those who have advocated contrary positions. Therefore, his book resembles a prizefight—albeit with Christian charity and mutual respect. The format of each of his 10 "rounds" includes the basic biblical, theological, and missiological arguments—first describing what he considers erroneous paradigms and then rebutting them.

Despite the heavy questions, this book is reader-friendly with clear charts and numerous stories that reveal Hesselgrave's missionary heart and passion.

Related Elsewhere:

Paradigms in Conflict is available from ChristianBook.com and other retailers.

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January 2007, Vol. 51, No. 1

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[Reader Reviews]

Average User Rating:

David OBrien

Posted: January 22, 2007 4:54 PM


Jim Reapsome's review whets the appetite but, apart from restating Hesselgrave's these, and telling us how the book could be used, does not give any examples. I would have liked to see some of the areas of change that Hesselgrave opposes mentioned at least.

Paul Griffin

Posted: January 19, 2007 10:50 PM

1/19/07 I appreciate Dr. Reapsome's consistent, long-term commitment to The Great Commission. His review encourages me to read Dr. Hesselgrave's book. The reasons for this interest include sharpening my own focus in cross-cultural service and better understanding both the relevant doctrinal debates and assisting new disciples in standing firm. The review gave sufficient information to discern the value of the book in these areas. Thank you. Sincerely in Christ, Paul Griffin

Brent Vermillion, Spain

Posted: January 19, 2007 10:33 AM

I enjoyed the article and the premise of leaving basic missions principles alone. It seems to me that many growing seeker-friendly and emergent churches often lack a strong missions emphasis. Further, it seems that many churches are replacing long-term, church-planting, cross-cultural missionaries with short-term trips where they can all get a taste of the mission-field. The problem with this approach is that very rarely does it yield lasting fruit. By the way, I am a 40 year old veteran missionary church-planter in Spain. Therefore, I wonder to what degree the author cites experienced missionaries from around the world who aren't just theorizing as professors or employing the latest fad like many pastors who lack firsthand long-term mission experience. If anyone should have some kind of handle on what the present and future of missions is it should be the actual missionaries.

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