Periodical Reviews -- By: Anonymous

Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 143:569 (Jan 1986)
Article: Periodical Reviews
Author: Anonymous


Periodical Reviews

“Foreign Missions: Next Door and Down the Street,” Don Bjork, Christianity Today, July 12, 1985, pp. 17-21.

This is the cover article for this issue of Chnstianity Today, a reflection of its importance in the minds of the editors. The article itself is supplemented with five sidebars by outstanding mission leaders, a second indication of the subject’s importance. Also it is illustrated by a graph showing that more than 500,000 foreign students are living in the United States. Indeed, to quote Hal Guffie, president of International Students, Inc., “the world has come to us.”

No basis for concluding that American Christians no longer need to go to “the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8, KJV), the influx of foreigners from almost every nation on earth dictates a revision of mission strategy and priorities in allocating both manpower and resources. This new scenario addresses mission agencies, local churches, and individual Christians.

Rigid patterns of thinking about missions need to be shattered. Many evangelical churches that would sacrifice to send more missionaries to Latin America or Southeast Asia will refuse to support workers ministering to Hispanic or Vietnamese communities in their own metroplex. Needed is a global vision to focus on “people, not places.” The Great Commission is “unto the uttermost part of the earth,” but it is also “in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria” (Acts 1:8, KJV). And since “the uttermost part of the earth” has moved to “Jerusalem” to a degree, Christians need to reach it where it is.

The influx from around the world—numbering in millions since

1970—falls into two categories. One is the displaced persons and political refugees from Communist regimes and oppressive dictatorships. The other is students, many of whom come from countries closed to missionaries. Doors barred to opening inward (for missionaries to enter) God has opened outward, because these students retum to their homelands as leaders in government. business, and education. Reaching them for Christ here is crucial.

“Evangelicalism in America,” Harold O. J. Brown, Dialog 24 (Summer 1985): 188-92.

“Fundamentalism: Still Fighting for the Faith,” David Parker, Interchange 35, pp. 33-45.

These articles are considered together because they examine two related—even intertwined—and yet distinct strains of conservative, contemporary Christianity. Though the geographical focus of attention in both evange...

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