Description
A Theological Introduction to the Witness of the Church within the Mission of God
Mission is God's work. God spoke the first promise of gospel hope, sent his Son into this fallen world, and commissioned his Spirit to empower his church for witness. Until the day Christ returns, God has called his people to participate in his mission through evangelism, apologetics, church planting, cultural engagement, gospel suffering, and many other activities that faithfully communicate gospel hope in Christ.
This practical introduction provides a biblical framework for understanding the church's role in God's mission. It reviews the biblical story of God's mission, draws insights from the church's witness since Pentecost, and studies aspects of contemporary Christian witness. Each chapter ends with study questions to encourage further reflection and discussion by church members and ministry leaders. Readers will gain refreshing insights into how they can participate in faithfully bearing witness to Christ through the church's work in the world today.
Confessional and Contemporary: Precisely defines the biblical aspects of God's mission and Christian witness, built upon time-tested theology, yet freshly applied for witness in the post-Christendom world
Accessible: Written for church members, college and seminary students, ministry workers, and church leaders who are committed to creating a community that bears witness to Christ in an unchurched society
Practical and Motivational: Clear and crisp writing style, enhanced by many helpful figures and charts, and infused with a gospel passion to declare God's glory among the nations
Spurs Discussion: Thought-provoking study questions at the end of each chapter to encourage further reflection and faithful action
Endorsements
"By arguing convincingly that 'bearing witness' is both the central aspect of the church's mission and the identity of God's people, DeVries helps correct a number of mistaken notions about mission and opens up new avenues for embracing our own calling as witnesses. This book is a tremendous resource: careful, clear, confessional, biblical, hopeful, inspiring, and practical. This will be one of the first books—if not the first book—on missions that I recommend to pastors, students, and church members.”
Kevin DeYoung, Senior Pastor, Christ Covenant Church, Matthews, North Carolina
Table of Contents
List of Illustrations
Preface: Your Church Serving in God's Mission
Introduction: Witness within God's Mission
Part One: The Biblical Story of God's Mission
Chapter 1: Mission in the Old Testament
Chapter 2: The Mission of Jesus Christ
Chapter 3: The Mission of the Holy Spirit
Chapter 4: Witness in the New Testament
Part Two: Concise History of Christian Witness
Chapter 5: The Church's Witness after Pentecost
Chapter 6: Historical Themes in Christian Witness
Part Three: Our Witness in an Un-Christian World
Chapter 7: Christian Witness as Gospel Presence
Chapter 8: Christian Witness by Gospel Message
Chapter 9: Christian Witness by Gospel Response
Chapter 10: Christian Witness in the Gospel Community
Conclusion: Motivating Our Churches to Witness
General Index
Scripture Index
Product Details
Title: You Will Be My Witnesses: Theology for God's Church Serving in God's Mission
Author: Brian A. DeVries
Publisher: Crossway Publishing
Pages: 320
Binding: Paperback
Size: 22.8 x 15.2 x 2.2 cm
ISBN: 9781433591389