The response to mission today may be seen as a left brain, right brain thing. There are those like Christopher Wright who are responding in a way which presupposes that the Church is already there. To their way of thinking, the presence of the church is a given and the sooner we all get over our pre-occupation with multiplying congregations, the better. This done, we can get on with a holistic approach to all the other good things we can do. The other side of the brain, however, sees the presence of the Church as foundational to everything else God will do. What good is there in doing good if the church is not there to reap the harvest? True transformation of society, it can be argued, will only happen when communities (fellowships) of believers are living out the life of Christ among all peoples everywhere. Simply doing good does not extend God's Kingdom without Christ's presence to add the eternal enhancement.

First of all let me comment the author for making a radical stand on the whole issue of Mission. It is not right for me to come to a conclusion by going through the review. I wish to read the book and make my own opinion. But as a Medical Missionary, I had to underplay my gifts, talents and educational qualifications in a setting where Church Planting was the ultimate. Probably even I subscribed to the same till recently. It is for my good that the Lord is opening my eyes and heart to see more of His purpose in mission with wider involvement. I am looking forward to a day when the Indian Mission agencies will make it a point to mobilise professionals into mission. We need this urgently. Right now I am involved in encouraging doctors and dentists to look at them as vocational missionaries and contribute to the larger interest of the Church. Is there any way of getting hold of this book? May God be honoured at all our endeavours as Missionaries. Let His KINGDOM COME!

While he may have some valid points and the Gospel should obviously have an uplifting impact on societies where it takes root and grows, the primary purpose of the church and it's missions is described in Matthew 28 and Mark 16 -- The Great Commission. The Great Commission includes preaching the Gospel, Baptizing and discipling the converts, and teaching them to live according to Jesus Christ teachings which obviously include aspects of what is called the social gospel. It is however imperative that preaching, teaching, discipleship and baptism remain at the forefront of the missions of the church. Jesus said, "I will build My church..." If it does not relate to building and expanding Jesus church, it could hardly be called true christian mission. By the way, I am a missionary in Europe's least reached nation (Spain) where we literally need thousands of new churches. The social gospel is almost a total waste of time as the present government is socialist and non-confessional.

Didn't Christ through Paul limit the means to "preaching"? "Seek ye first the Kingdom. . ." Some mistake the condition with the purpose, substituting material prosperity but at least cure for Christ (no accident that the prosperity deviation followed in the wake of the "social gospel"). The attempt to resurrect the "social gospel" betrays the same insensitivity to Christ's "Way", as the recent confusion respecting Church and State, the advocates of joindure ignoring both Christ's admonition and the clear legality of practical separation, the reasons for which many have forgotten in the "enthusiasm". Those who advocate joinder should consider the meaning of "establishment", bearing in mind Justice Story's well ballasted observations. If the essence is personal relation between believer and the living God, how can one advocate an institutional or governmental solution? Surely it is not too difficult to distinguish between a polity governed by law, and a "kingdom" ruled by Christ?

Christopher has got it wright! This is a great book the counters the inappropriate reductionism of much of contemporary conservative American evangelicalism....