Product Description

Chris Wright believes that there is a missional basis for the
whole Bible - it is generated by, and is all about, God's mission. He
offers a comprehensive and wide-ranging interpretative approach as the
basis for holistic Christian mission.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #94475 in Books
• Published on: 2006-11-17
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 608 pages

From the Publisher
Ground-breaking, comprehensive new study, showing how a
theology of the mission of God provides a framework within which to read
the whole Bible.
Pays more attention to the Old Testament roots of mission than most other
books.
Three major focal points: God, Israel, the world; themes followed into the
New Testament.
Accessible to non-specialists.
A companion to the author's 'Old Testament Ethics for the People of God'.

From the Back Cover
Most Christians would agree that the Bible provides a basis for
mission. Chris Wright believes that there is actually a missional basis for
the whole Bible - it is generated by, and is all about, God's mission.

In order to understand the Bible, we need an interpretative perspective
that is in tune with this great missional theme. We need to see the `big
picture' of God's mission and how all parts of Scripture fit into its grand
narrative.

In this comprehensive and accessible study, Chris Wright begins with the
Old Testament understanding of who God is, what he has called his people to
be and to do, and where the nations belong within God's mission. These
themes are followed into the New Testament. Throughout, Wright emphasizes
that biblically-defined mission is intrinsically holistic. God's mission is
to redeem his whole creation from all that sin and evil have inflicted upon
it, and the mission of God's people must reflect the breadth of God's
righteous and saving love for all he has made.

`To an already impressive list of publications dealing with the Bible and
mission, Chris Wright now adds what must surely be his magnum opus. This
remarkably comprehensive work does nothing less than point the way ahead
for the global Christian movement in the twenty-first century, and in the
process it challenges a host of received assumptions in biblical
scholarship, Christian theology, and missionary practice. I believe
Wright's book will be seen as the most important work of its kind since
David Bosch's contribution in the 1990s and, like that work, it is likely
to be read, discussed and, hopefully, applied to practice for years to
come.'

David W. Smith, International Christian College, Glasgow

About the Author
Christopher J. H. Wright is International Ministries Director
of the Langham Partnership International. He was formerly Principal of All
Nations Christian College and taught at Union Biblical Seminary, Pune,
India. His books include 'Old Testament Ethics for the People of God' and
'The Message of Ezekiel' (both IVP), the New International Biblical
Commentary on 'Deuteronomy' (Paternoster) and 'Knowing Jesus through the
Old Testament' (Monarch).

Customer Reviews

Wright's 'Magnum Opus'
This is certainly the most impressive book on Mission to be published since Bosch's 'Transforming Mission' and will surely be Dr Wright's 'Magnum Opus.' This outstanding tome entitled `The Mission of God: Unlocking the Bible's Grand Narrative' contains 581 closely reasoned pages and maintains that equally, the `proper way for disciples of the crucified and risen Jesus to read their Scriptures , is (both) messianically and missionally. ( p.30)

It should be noted that most books on Mission fail to provide an adequate O.T. basis for mission. David Bosch for example in his excellent book `Transforming Mission' gives us little if any. In this book however, Wright ( also a noted OT scholar as well as Missiologist) goes a long way to rectify this imbalance.

'The Mission of God' is not a light read but should be of great interest to all missionaries and Pastors as well as to theology and Bible students. Chris Wright has also designated that the royalties from this book will go to the to worthy charity Langham Literature.

John Goldingay, the author of Old Testament Theology, and professor of Old Testament, Fuller Theological Seminary writes of it:
"This marvelous book is all I hoped and expected, and more. . . .We are so fortunate to have the mature fruit of a lifetime's reflection on the missional nature of the Bible by this outstanding teacher, scholar and missionary theologian."

If you want an outstanding book on Mission which will be around for years to come: This is it!

TNT for the Church
This is a magnificent book. It takes time to read but is worth it. Savour every page and in so doing your view of Mission, your view of God, your view of His plan for your life and for His Church will broaden and deepen. Well-researched with a staggering bibliography The Mission of God is a must read for any Bible student.

Broad scope
What a wonderful idea--to go beyond the typical evangelical scope of the purposes of God, and paint a vision of redemption which reaches from Genesis to Revelation and includes the whole of creation. I have so often felt that preachers focus too much on individual salvation. Wright shows how God's perspective goes far beyond that. It is written in the whole of the Bible--start to finish--and covers all of life. It is the Bible, the life God has for us all, which is the Gospel. Included as well is a chapter on the redemption of the earth which includes a challenge to "value what God values" and see how the earth is not just here for us to use, but is a vital part of God's plan.