Mission studies; outlines of missionary principles and practice

Front matter

STUDIES m tihvaxy of t:he theological ^tminary

PRINCETON . NEW JERSEY

Mission studies tCcA

Preface

THIS little book has grown out of the necessity placed upon the author and the opportunities that have come to him in his work in the Church. It is the product of some experience in the pastorate and in the class room, the outcome of convictions growing and gradually maturing.

The immediate occasion for the publication was furnished by my outlines and notes, which I have been using for several years in my seminary classes as a basis for a series of lectures and studies in Evangehstics. The irksomeness of dictation and the time consumed in the operation suggested the desirability of being able to place the outlines in complete and printed form in the hands of the students. The purpose, therefore, with which I set out upon the preparation of the work for the press was its use as a text book in my own classes.

Out of this main purpose there grew, in the process of recasting and developing the material in hand, the secondary thought, that by further elaboration of certain parts I might make the work helpful to pastors both in the missionary studies which they ought to continue through life and in the missionary work which they are called upon to perform and direct in their congregations. The pastor as leader and pleader of the Lord's cause and work must, by study and extended reading, deepen the roots and broaden the view of his missionary life. Possibly this little book may prove to some a stimulating and suggestive help in this regard. The author even indulges the hope that at least some parts of the work may adapt themselves for use in mission study classes and young people's societies. If under the leadership of our pastors the young people of their congregations are thoroughly indoctrinated in the leading principles of missions, we may confidently expect a growth of health and breadth of missionary practice.

6 PREFACE.

With these somewhat diverse and yet closely united aims in view, I have endeavored to make the elaboration of my original outlines as largely and broadly useful as possible, at the risk of sacrificing scientific form and appearance. Keeping the condition and needs of our churches before me, I have at once aimed at simplicity and comprehensiveness. Elementary principles and general truths, with copious references and suggestions, are presented in compact form as a basis for further study. If this book fails to supply incentives to further investigation and to continued reading of missionary literature, it fails in its chief purpose.

We ought to realize that this is a life-work for the Christian, both the pastor and the layman. The work of missions is before us and upon us as a pressing call to perpetual labor. The history of missions is an unfinished book, — a growing library, in fact. Beginning with the Acts of the Apostles, an inspired record of apostolic missions, the chronicles of Christian missions extend down to the present day, when current events in mission fields throughout the world are published in innumerable periodicals and books. It is a record of heroic endeavor, of fulfilment of divine promises, of triumphs of the cross of Christ, of realization of the highest ideals of life.

Is the Church in need of defending her faith today? In this day of skepticism and growing infidelity the study of missions aflfords glimpses of Christian evidences whose arguments are ovc "whelming and unanswerable. In the pursuit of the study, whether theoretical, along the line of fundamental principles, or historical, in biography and other forms, personal faith is revived, invigorated and enlarged.

As to the merits of this little manual, while I am prepared for criticisms and shall endeavor to profit by them, I only plead that the character and plan of the work be not overlooked. It is not a narrative to be read or to be hastily perused for an hour's entertainment. It is no thrilling story which might hope to sustain interest by recounting events fp.scinatingly presented. Such stories and monographs exist in large numbers. But here I aim simply at the presentation of missionary principles, more or less elementary, and these in outlint- only briefly developed, as a basis for the intelli-

PREFACE. 7

gent grasp of the whole subject, as an incentive for progressive study and energetic prosecution of the work.

xA.mong the many works which have been consulted and used and are referred to in the following pages, special acknov/ledgment is due and is herewith gratefully given to Dr. Warneck's classical work entitled, "Evangelische Missionslehre," from v^^hich I have freely gathered valuable material, particularly that pertaining to the ground or basis of mission work. To those who desire to pursue further the scientific and theoretical study of the missionary enterprise this work, which, in point of thoroughness and completeness, surpasses any work that has as yet appeared either in German or in English, is especially recommended.

That this unpretentious manual may be of some service to students, pastors and people in understanding, appreciating, presenting and practicing the great work of missions, — the greatest work which the Lord has given us to do, — this is my hope and my prayer. E. P.

Columbus. O., August. 1908.

Preface o

FIRST PART.

Missionary Principles in General, with Particular Reference to the Foreign Missionary Enterprise.

1. INTRODUCTORY.

Chapter I. The Science of Christian Missions 19

1. Is there such a science ? 19

2. Two classes of literature: a. The history of missions; b. The theory or principles of missions. List of typical works in each department. . 20

3. Missionary principles and problems. Development of the science of missions 24

Chapter II. The Scope of the Missionary Principles. . 26

1. What is embraced under the head of missionary principles ? — Three general heads : a. The purpose and aim of missions; b The ground or basis of missions ; c. The means and methods

of the work 26

2. Explanation of terms. Various titles suggested for the science. Evangelistics seems to be preferred 28

Chapter III. The Place of Missions in Theology and in Christianity •^2

1. How determined ? 32

2. The place of the science of missions in theology. Two questions discussed : a. The place of missionary thoughts in the older branches of theology; b. The feasibility and desirability of the independent development of the science of missions. 32

3. The place of missions in educational institutions 35

4. The place of missions in the Christian life and in the work of the Church, a. Only preliminary consideration of this topic here; b. The same place in both spheres ; c. Missions claim a primary, dominating place in Christianity 30

Recapitulation of section 1 37

11. THE MISSIONARY ENTERPRISE.

Chapter IV. Unity and Diversity of the Missionary Enterprise -^'9

1. The unity of the missionary enterprise... 39

2. Three distinguishable spheres or departments : a. Home missions ; b. Inner missions ; c. Foreign missions 40

3. Diversity of operations, but the same Lord, the same faith, the same end : a. The unity of the work is apparent from the definitions given; b. There are decided advantages to be gained from this view; c. Answer to objections made; d. This view is supported by Scripture and confirmed by apostolic missions 41

4. The scope of the present discussion of the 'missionary enterprise. Three general heads: I.

The Missionary' ; II. The Ground of Miss'ion Work; III. Missionary Means and Methods 45

I. The Missionary.

Chapter V. His Charaeter and QuaMcations 47

1. General Importance of the subject for all Christians and Christian workers 47

2. Fundamental character and characteristics: a. Spiritual gifts of faith and love; b. Intelligent and whole-souled interest in the missionary enterprise 48

3. Special qualifications of the missionary : a. Physical health and strength ; b. Intellectual gifts and acquirements: (1) The gift of teaching; (2) The gift of leadership. — Willingness to go whereever the Lord calls or sends 50

Chapter VI. His Commission 54

1. Necessity of competent authority and or-

der^ 54

2. Divine authority and commission : a. The mission of the apostles ; b. The sending forth of later missionaries 5t}

3. Churchly authorit}^ and commission : a. Independent societies; b. Church administration.. 58

4. Corresponding duty of the Church : a. The supply of men and training of missionaries ; b. Moral and financial support of the missionaries 03

Chapter VII. His Mission. The Purpose and Aim of Missions 07

1. The real aim of missions is not civilization and culture : a. Christian missions show large results along this line; b. Value to be attached

to these results 07

2. The real aim of missions is salvation from sin and death: a. The aim — how determined? b. The aim more carefully defined and explained. Prevailing confusion in use of the terms evangelization and Christianization ; c. The end of the work of foreign missions 72

Recapitulation of chapters IV to VII 77

JI. The Grouxd of Mission Work.

Chapter VIII. The Nature and Scope of this Section. 79

1. The foundation on which the enterprise rests 79

2. The scope of the missionary basis : a. The Scripture Ground ; b. The Dogmatical and Ethical Ground ; c. The Churchly Ground ; d. The Historical Ground 79

3. The ground in which the work is rooted supplies the proper motives. The supreme motive, "the love of Christ." 80

Chapter IX. The Scripture Ground 82 Missionary Thoughts and Roots in the Old Testament 82

1. General reflections on the subject 82

2. Character of the missionary thoughts in

the Old Testament 83

3. Some leading and typical Old Testament missionary thoughts: (1) The universal covenant of God with mankind ; (2) The brotherhood of mankind; (3) The first evangel message; (4) The call of Abraham and the covenant-promise given him ; (5) The period of prophecy, culminating in the "Servant of Jehovah"; (6) Jonah, an Old Testament missionary; (7) Providential leadings and events : a. The dispersions ; b. the Septuagint ; c. The synagogues 83

Chapter X. The Scripture Ground. (Continued.) ••■ • 97 Missionary Thoughts and Fruits in the New Testament 97

Scope of the present treatise. Confined to the

Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles 97

Missionary Thoughts in the Words of Christ 97

1. General principles, preliminary and fundamental : a. The Kingdom of God ; b. The Son of Man 99

2. Missionary references and declarations, introducing and preparing the way for the Great Command: a. The name "Apostles"; b. Citations from the Old Testament : c. Direct declarations of missionary thoughts 105

3. The Great Commission Ill

Chapter XL The Scripture Ground. (Concluded.)... 115

Missionary Thoughts in the Acts of the Apostles. 115

1. Introductory remarks and reflections : a. Christ, as Lord, in and among His peonle ; b. The activity of the Holy Spirit; c. The narrative covers a brief space of time, but a large territory ; d. It is

an uncompleted book 115

2. General plan and outline of the book.... 117

3. More detailed study of salient passages. 118

Introductory. Chapter I 118

First part. Ch. 2-12 : Spreading of the Gospel among the Jews 119

CONTENTS. IS

Stcond part. Ch. lS-28 : Spreading of the

Gospel among the Gentiles 129

First misisonary tour, ch. 13, 2-14, 28 129

Second missionary tour, ch. 15, 36-18, 22 132

Third missionary tour, ch. 18, 28-21, 14 134

Chapter XII. The Dogmatical and Ethical Ground. 139

1. Meaning and significance of this ground. A view of God's missionary thoughts from the standpoint of Christian doctrine and duty 139

2. Some of the leading doctrines examined, by way of illustration : a. The doctrine of God ; b. The doctrine of sin; c. The doctrine of Christ; d. The doctrine of justification by faith; e. Christ's second advent and the final judgment 141

Chapter XIII. The Churchly Ground 148

1. The Christian Church a missionary Church. Missionary ^3; birth; by appointment;

by inner necessity 148

2. The reflex influence of missions on the home church 149

Chapter XIV. The Historical Ground 152

1. The Lord is King: in the world, as well

as in Zion 152

2. The providence of God in missions. Manifest in the conjunction of two epochal events:

an opened world, and a prepared church 152

8. This truth illustrated in the three great missionary periods : a. The period of apostolic and post-apostolic missions ; b. The period of medieval

missions; c. The period of modern missions 154

Recapitulation of chapters VITI to XIV.... 160

III. Missionary Means and Methods.

Chapter XV. Character of the Means 163

1. Not carnal, but spiritual. Required by

the very nature of the Gospel and of Christianity. 163

2. The Word of God, the fundamental and final reliance : a. The spoken Word ; b. The Word in the form of "living epistles" : c. The printed Word

Chapter XVI. Main Methodical Lines of the Work.. 167

1. Direct evangelism : a. It assumes various forms: (1) Private conversation and interview; (2) Formal preaching to a larger or smaller gathering; (3) A regular course of instruction; b. It leads to organized centers of operation; c. The question of self-support and self-government 167

2. Indirect evangelistic effort : a. Education: (1) Primary schools; (2) Secondary or academic schools; (3) Professional schools; b. Literary work ; c. Medical missions 170

Recapitulation of the First Part 174

SECOND PART.

Home and Inner Missions. The Missionary Life.

Chapter XVII. Character and Scope of this Part 179

1. Home and inner missions 179

2. The development of the missionary spirit 179

3. Elementary, but still needful 180

I. HOME MISSION WORK.

Chapter XVI IT. The Field and Aim of Home Missions 181

1. The relation of home missions to other activities of the Church : a. Home misison work comes first in the Biblical and the natural order of work ; b. Home mission work supplies the basis of other churchly operations; c. Home missions and general benevolence 181

2. A survey of the home mission field : a. As to extent; b. The material: (1) Professed Christians in need of the Church; (2) The unchurched masses, both native and alien: c. Character of the material 185

3. The home missionary aim: a. Not reform merely, but regeneration ; b. Not societies for ethical culture, but self-supporting Christian churches 188

Chapter XIX. The Forces mid Methods of Home

Missions 191

1. The home missionary forces : a. The Christian churches of our land; b. Are the Christian churches equal to the task? (1) In point of numbers; (2) Conditions of success: aa. Possession of the one thing needful. — the Gospel ; bb. Power in plying and applying that one thing; cc. Wisdom and courage in applying the one thing

in the right way 1 f^l

2. Home missionary means and methods :

a. Evangelism; b. Education: (1) Primary and secondary schools ; the Sunday school, the congregational school; (2) Schools of higher education;

c. Literary work ; d. Charities 196

11. INNER MISSION WORK.

Chapter XX. Distinctive Character of the Work 203

1. Works of mercy joined with ministrations of the Gospel : a. How distinguished from home mission work; b. Identified, in part, with home mission work '-'03

2. Occasion for inner mission work : a. A summary view of the history of the work ; b. Conditions today, and in our country 207

3. Justification of mission work in this form : a. The spirit of the Gospel ; b. The example

of Christ ; c. The missionary command 211

4. The aim as distinguished from the methods : a. The aim is salvation from sin and death ;

b. The methods vary according to the needs 212

Chapter XXI. Principal Methods of the Work 214

1. Congregational : a. This form of inner mission activity is of prime importance ; b. How the work may be begun ; c. Large city churches ;

d. City missions and inner mission societies 2J4

2. Institutional : a. Training schools for workers ; b. Charitable institutions ; c. The dissemination of Christian literature 224

III. THE NURTURE OF MISSIONARY LIFE IN THE HOME CHURCH.

Chapter XXII. The Missionary Life 227

1. A vital issue 227

2. A work of divine grace 230

Chapter XXIII. The Nurture of Missionary Life in

the Church at Large 233

1. By joint effort of the affiliated congregations : a. The importance of the individual ; b. The pastor as missionary leader 233

2. By faithful supervision of the general work 236

3. By ample provision for co-operation 236

Chapter XXIV. The Nurture of Missionary Life in

the Congregation 239

1. Faithful administration and application of

the means of grace 239

2. Two spheres of spiritual nurture: a. Among the young: (1) Missionary work in the Sunday school ; (2) Missionary instruction in the catechetical school or class ; (3) Missionary instruction in the Christian day school ; b. Among the older members :

First, the regular divine services : Secondly, special missionary services and lines of work : (1) Regularly recurring missionary services; (2) The annual mission festival ; (3) Distribution of missionary literature; (4) Societies and mission study : aa. Women's missionary society ; bb. Young people's mission study courses; cc. Interest among the men; (5) System in the gathering of offerings; (6) A missionary library for pastor and people; (7) Prayer for missions 240