Review of Paul:Missionary Theologian by Robert Reymond

Review of Robert Reymond’s book Paul: Missionary Theologian. Not an altogether compelling read per say (a bit dry) but towards the end he gives some good takeaways which I thought were worth passing on. These are from Chapter 25, which is entitled “Lessons from Paul’s Ministry for Today’s Missionary”. He points us to some solid (biblical) principles for us to consider for our own ministry that should cause us to pause and evaluate. For those interested in further studies you might consider reviewing Reymond’s view on the Trinity, which in some circles has generated much discussion.

1. We should be, as was Paul, students primarily of one book, even the Holy Scriptures, ‘correctly handling the Word of truth’ in order to be approved by God (2 Tim 2:15)

2. We should, as did Paul, uncompromisingly proclaim God’s law-free gospel (Gal 1:8-9, 2 Tim 4:1-6)

3. We should be willing, as was Paul, to proclaim this ‘good news’ of justification by faith alone to all the nations of the world and to everyone – rich and poor alike.

4. Not only should we preach to the lost world; we should also take seriously, as did Paul, the ‘watchman’ principle of Ezekiel 33:7-9, apply it to our mission labors today, and faithfully declare the whole counsel of God to Christ’s church (Acts 20:27), rebuking her for her sin and warning her against apostasy, and doing so regardless of the cost to our physical safety, our reputations, and our earthly fortunes.

5. We should take seriously the sovereignty of God in the salvation of mankind, as did Paul, and in the spread of the gospel avoid all the gimmickry, such as Charles G. Finney’s ‘new measures’ in modern market evangelism (I Thess 2:1-12, I Cor 2:1-5 2 Cor 4:2-5, 2 Cor 10:3-5).

6. We should, as did Paul, in our propagation and defense of the Faith refuse to compromise with unbelief and employ an apologetic method which would distort and compromise the gospel or dishonor the self-authenticating character of Scripture.

7. We should be willing, as was Paul, to endure loneliness, pain and suffering, loss of friends, persecution, insults, misunderstandings, physical affliction, even death itself, if necessary for the cause of Christ. That is to say, we should be willing to go anywhere, at any time, at any cost for Christ’s sake (Acts 20:24, I Cor 4:9-13, 2 Cor 11:23-28, Phil 3:7-9, 2 tim 4:6-8).

8. We should be willing, as was Paul, both to become ourselves transcultural communicators of the gospel and to send and assist others to go everywhere – not only to the villages but to the large cities of the world – to proclaim the law free gospel of Christ.

9. We should be willing, as was Paul, to nurture our converts by forming them into communities in which both mutual respect for other Christians (Rom 14:1-15:13) and the sharing of the spiritual gifts with the other members of the brotherhood (I Cor 14) are encouraged and achieved.

10. We should instruct these communities of believers, as did Paul, to worship God with reverence and fear and in accordance with what has come to be known as the Reformation’s ‘regulative principle of worship’, that is, only in those ways that God himself has expressly prescribed.

11. We should be willing, as was Paul, to be accountable to the church and to spurn the ‘lone ranger’ attitude towards ministry.

12. We should live before our converts and congregations, as did Paul, model lives of reliance upon God for all things, of discipline, holiness, truth, honesty, consistency, industry, humility and joy. In sum, we should live godly lives among them.

13. In our daily lives we should glory, as did Paul, only in the cross of Christ (Gal 6:14). There is no place for boasting in ourselves (I Cor 9:6).

From Daren Beck, ACTION Cambodia Director