Review of “Invitation to World Missions”

This review provides an overview of the book “Invitation to World Missions” by Timothy Tennent, which combines theoretical studies of theology and mission. The book is autobiographical to some extent, and the author relies extensively on his own experiences while traveling to India as both an academic and a missionary. Tennent takes a postmodernist deconstructive stance of Christendom, and the fundamental principles underlying it. He states that Christians would require a more assertive missiology if they want to claim that Christianity is the fountain of global or universal truth. Tennent’s book is multifaceted, and also stresses on the role of history in shaping the practical aspect of missiology. He also emphasizes on doctrines and models, like that of incarnation, which form the basis of the Church’s mission to propagate its beliefs. Through a review of history and theology, Tennent tries to create a wiser and more practical missiological practice.

Running head: REVIEW OF “INVITATION TO WORLD MISSIONS”
Review of “Invitation to World Missions”
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1REVIEW OF “INVITATION TO WORLD MISSIONS”
The president of Asbury Theological Seminary, Timothy Tennent, published the book
“Invitations to World Missions”, which can be considered to be a proponent of Trinitarian
Missiology1. The book is not simply a practical textbook on missiology, but also combines
theoretical studies of theology and mission. The book can be called autobiographical to some
extent, because Tennent relies extensively on his own experiences while traveling to India as
both an academic and a missionary. The following paper is an attempt to review the book,
“Invitations to World Missions.”
The book has a clearly demarcated structure, and is divided into 4 parts. The first part
of the book is introductory, and sets the tone for the theoretical framework to be adopted by
the poet. The second part delves deeper into the concept of God, as the ultimate destination
for all missions, and as the father of all creations. The third part takes into account the impact
of Christology on missiology and the final part of the book examines the “empowering
presence” of God. Tennent makes it easier for the readers by beginning the text with the
discussion of missiology in the contemporary context, and the current scenario. It is
important to understand how theology offers a criticism of culture and how the gospel can be
related to the problems plaguing all of mankind in the present day.
It can be said that Tennent takes a postmodernist deconstructive stance of
Christendom, and the fundamental principles underlying it. He states that Christians would
require a more assertive missiology if they want to claim that Christianity is the fountain of
global or universal truth. Tennent’s theology believes that God’s design was such that it
paved the way for “missio dei” – this is His mission, to send his own representatives down to
earth for salvation of man. He combines anthropology and ecclesiology to show that
missiology is not just about the salvation of one man; he critiques the “private” and
1 Timothy C Tennent, Invitation To World Missions repr., Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2010.

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compartmentalized nature of gospel, stating that it is important to consider oneself as part of
the larger issue at hand, instead of simply commenting on it.
Tennent is also of the opinion that Trinitarian thinking affects missiology; this means
that theology and missiology are like two sides of the same coin, thus opening up more
horizons for inter-religious discourse. However, in this aspect, it must also be stated that
Tennent focuses solely on the Old Testament; this makes the text one dimensional and not all
encompassing, which a textbook on missiology is expected to be. Chapter 6 can be said to be
one of the most important chapters of the book, because here Tennent provides a detailed
theological analysis of culture. He refers to the concept of New Creation, and says that
salvation is directly linked to it. According to him, New Creation should be the ultimate goal
for every Christian from a cultural point of view.
Tennent’s book is multifaceted, and also stresses on the role of history in shaping the
practical aspect of missiology; he says that knowledge of the historical origin of Christianity
is a must for understanding and appreciating theology in the true sense of the term. He also
emphasizes on doctrines and models, like that of incarnation, which form the basis of the
Church’s mission to propagate its beliefs. Through a review of history and theology, Tennent
tries to create a wiser and more practical missiological practice. He also strives to negate the
various dichotomies and contradictions that exist within such discourse. For instance, he
criticizes the theory of “contextualization” and replaces it with the term “translation” because
it prevents theology from being rendered a one dimensional concept.
However, Tennent fails to offer a connection between social actions and evangelism.
He uses the terms in such a manner that the former converges into the latter; yet, it must be
understood that while evangelism is verbal, social action implies a practical application of the
principles of the gospel. Nevertheless, Tennent successfully demonstrates how theology and

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missiology are interconnected; he also calls for the readers to examine and critique the
existing models. He draws a connection between the suffering of man, Spirit and New
Creation and tries to examine the underrated concepts of mission as a whole.
To conclude, “Invitations to World Missions” is certainly a helpful textbook on both
theoretical and practical applications of missiology. He challenges the conventional view of
mission as merely the Church’s initiative and suggests that missiology entails a study of
salvation as well. Moreover, the text offers a critical appreciation of both history and
ecclesiology. Missiology, to sum up, is not a private expression of spirituality but a kind of
public assembly. According to Tennent, a mission should be collaborative, and must unite
Christians from around the world thus depicting his wholesome, holistic approach.

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References:
Tennent, Timothy C. Invitation To World Missions. Reprint, Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel
Publications, 2010.