Developing a Biblical Missiology
Calvary Baptist Theological Seminary
January 19-23 1998
Name Edward G. Rice

BR2 "Issues in Missiology", Pentecost, Edward C.
I found this to be an excellent book on the overall topic of Missiology. It dangerously presented missiology as a science, but he then carefully developed it as a tool that nestles into Biblical theology to be used to accomplish God's Mission. (To many call areas of study a 'science' and then go off blundering around in a 'science so called' which then lowers a thicker fog on things, i.e. higher criticism ) William Carey had to wrestle missions from the bowls of Calvinism and those who rail about God's Sovereignty over all souls. So too, all defenders of soul-winning and missions have to do the same, Pentecost does this artfully, implying, perhaps, that he has not embraced this witness and missions drowning doctrine. His book is excellently supported and illustrated with Scripture. Pentecost's grand use of charts and sketches to illustrate and condense missiology, combined with his readable style, make this an excellent coverage of the area. I should have bought this book over Rheenen's required book. On page 33 Pentecost lists these notable considerations of cultural variances: (these he confesses were taken from Dr. G.W. Peters, Dallas Theological Seminary unpublished class notes titled "The Relationship of Christianity to Non-Christian Cultures", 1976)
A. Those customs which are essential to the followers of Jesus Christ and for the edification of the Church, such as monogamy, must be adopted.
B. Those customs which are unchristian must be given up. Idol worship, placation of evil spirits, caste, the colorbar, child-marriage, and the degradation of widows, are a few examples.
C. Those customs which are socially expedient should be adopted, even though they be sanctioned by religious beliefs that are unchristian, for such beliefs can be purged. For example, frequent bathing should be continued.
D. Those customs which are socially destructive should be abolished or altered. These include all that put life, health, or happiness in jeopardy.
E. Those customs which are neither unchristian nor socially destructive, may be adopted or rejected as desired. Examples are vegetarianism, modes of worship and ritual, postures in prayer and styles of dress.
F. Those customs which are not essential to Christianity nor socially destructive, but which tend to restrict the expansion of the gospel or limit the Christian fellowship, should be abolished. Indianized forms of worship of a Hindu style would give offense to Moslem converts and vice versa.
In adapting the message to a people Pentecost makes this profound statement "One final important point should be considered. In the transposition of the message, how much may the form of the message be altered in order to convey the content of the message? Some are strongly propounding a dynamic equivalent in order to effectively transmit the message. The purpose of communication is to transmit the truth, not to convey an idea. (emphasis mine)" Would to God we keep that in mind when we are asked/even pressured to use a paraphrased bible because people can understand it better.

READING REPORT
Title Author Date Read Time Page Numbers Pages Credit
Missions Biblical Foundations & Contemporary Strategies Van Rheenen, Gailyn 23 Feb 1-250 250
A People For His Name Paul A. Beals 27 Feb 1-258 508
"Planting the Independent Fundamental Church" Underwood, Charles M. (Compiled by), Director Church Panting Outrreach, BJU@1972 19-20Jan 1-169 678
"Planting Baptist Churches" , Allen, Arthur W. 1984 19 Jan1-60 738
"A Practical Guide to Church Planting", McNamara, Roger N. 19 Jan 1-281 1,020
"Ten Steps in Organizing a New Baptist Church", Claude F. Moffitt, The Conservative Baptist Association of America 19 Jan 1-32 1,052
Issues in Missiology Pentecost, Edward C. 20 Jan 1-2001,252
A Biblical Theology of Missions George W. Peters 28 Feb1-2481,500

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