Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 141:564 (Oct 1984)
Article: Go, Missions
Author: J. Ronald Blue

BSac 141:564 (Oct 84) p. 341

Go, Missions

J. Ronald Blue

[J. Ronald Blue, Chairman and Associate Professor of World Missions, Dallas Theological Seminary]

World missions seems to spin around one little two-letter word—Go!

A bright banner stretches across the church auditorium with the catchy theme emblazoned in bold letters, “Don’t take the ‘go’ out of the gospel!” It provides a good backdrop for the missionary speaker. He thrusts his arm into the air and, like some impassioned cheerleader in an overtime game, he dramatically cries “Go!”

At the ball game, of course, the whole crowd rises to their feet and carries the chant to deafening decibles, “Go! Go! Go!” Not so in the church. People yawn or dutifully stare at the pulpit. They quietly excuse themselves from this unreasonable command. “Go? Go where?”

It is not that the command is so unreasonable. It is just not applicable to the average listener. “I’m completely tied down with my work,” reasons the businessman, “I’m not free to go anywhere.” “I have responsibilities to my children and to my husband,” ponders the housewife. “I’m in no position to go.” “My major is chemical engineering,” muses the university student, “I could hardly go as a missionary.” “I’m too young to think about going anywhere yet,” each high schooler says to himself, and every child looks at the frantic speaker in bewilderment, “What’s he shouting about?” The “go” of missions seems to be addressed to someone else.

BSac 141:564 (Oct 84) p. 342

Could it be that “go” is only a part of the biblical missions equation? Perhaps the thoughts that pass through people’s minds as the missionary speaker shouts “Go!” are not mere devilish deceptions but responsible conclusions. Are all these people simply looking for some cold, carnal “cop-out”?

Is “go” the unique and essential ingredient for effective world missions? Obviously mobility is necessary. If no one goes, there are no missionaries. Thousands of men and women have concluded that the command was theirs to obey and have gone to serve the Lord all over the globe.

But what about those who do not go? Is “go” the word for them? Could there be a mystery word for missions that has remained in some quiet corner while everyone is shouting “Go”? Is “go” really the “bottom line” for missions?

Surprisingly enough, the Bible seems to stress a word in the missions equation that is of greater significance than “go.” “Go” is not the “bottom line” for world missions.

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