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Showing posts from July 26, 2015

Review of An Introduction to the Science of Missions by J.H. Bavinck

GREENVILLE PRESBYTERIAN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY BOOK REVIEW: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE SCIENCE OF MISSIONS BY J.H. BAVINCK Thomas Booher AT 44 Missions July 29, 2015             Bavinck’s Introduction to the Science of Missions , though over fifty years old, is still relevant and helpful for studying missions today. The book is divided into three main parts: the Theory of Missions, Elenctics, and the History of Missions. The first part examines the scriptural basis for missions and what place it has in the life of the church, whereas part three, the history of missions, examines the missions work that has actually occurred throughout church history. Part two, elenctics, occupies a place in between the other two and in the task of missions is a call to the unbeliever, asking him what he has done with God, and is characterized by prophetic preaching and calling the native to repentance. [1]             Bavinck further divides part one into

A Review of David Platt's Model for Missions in his Book Radical

GREENVILLE PRESBYTERIAN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY BOOK REVIEW: RADICAL BY DAVID PLATT Thomas Booher AT 44 Missions July 29, 2015             David Platt’s Radical is a unique book in that it is both wildly popular and weds Christ-like living for all believers in the United States to mission’s work. Platt is one of the youngest megachurch pastors ever, and he explains that when he began preaching at his church, it was full of complacent believers who embraced cultural Christianity. They wanted to live the American dream and have Jesus too. Our spending on ease and luxury is exorbitant, and our giving to the church and to the poor is miniscule in comparison. Platt proposes a remedy by imposing a “salary cap” on oneself, setting a certain yearly budget that one will live off of, and whatever is earned over that budget is sent to Christian charities, especially those overseas where the gospel will be proclaimed and the poor will be helped.