Have you been looking for a book on the Biblical theology of missions? Or, perhaps I should ask, would you like to read a great book on the Biblical theology of missions? If this is the case, then I commend to you this book! In 270 pages the authors examine the place of mission within the extent of biblical history. The volume concludes with 80 pages of appendices, bibliography, and indices. This is book 11 in the series New Studies in Biblical Theology edited by D.A. Carson.

The authors introduce their subject by saying, “Between Eden and the eternal state, between Abraham and Armageddon, between Babel and the beast’s confinement to the lake of fire, few Biblical topics are as important as mission. This is because mission, while purposed by God prior even to sin, is inextricably linked to man’s sinfulness and need for redemption and God’s provision of salvation in the person and work of our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. This ‘good news’ of salvation in Jesus, however, must be made known. Thus mission is the ingredient that both precedes Christian existence and constitutes a major motivation for Christian living: the saving mission of Jesus constitutes the foundation of Christian mission, and the Christian gospel is the message of mission, a mission that is not optional but mandatory.”

The authors begin their biblical-theological approach by exploring mission in the Old Testament by focusing on major OT themes such as the Abrahamic promises. This is followed by an exploration of mission in the second-temple period. The authors then deal with mission in various corpora of the NT period: Mark, Matthew, Luke-Acts, mission according to Paul and John, and finally mission in the General Epistles and the book of Revelation.

The authors conclude by writing, “There was no ‘mission’ in the Garden of Eden and there will be no ‘mission’ in the new heavens and the new earth (though the results of ‘mission’ will be evident). From the first glimmer of the gospel in Genesis 3:15 to the end of this age, however, mission is necessitated by humanity’s fall into sin and need for a Saviour, and is made possible only by the saving initiative of God in Christ.” (pg. 251)

I highly recommend this book on the biblical theology of mission. It will inform, stretch, convict, and position you to clearly articulate a Biblical understanding of mission. It is worth the investment of your time. It would also be an excellent text or reference for someone teaching a class on this subject.