On Missions

It is inspirational and daunting to read the works of Andrew Walls. He's my favorite missionary, a man I respect both for his remarkable grasp of theology and church history, but also for his application of that knowledge to the mission field. I seriously hope to grow up to be like him. But it seems that it might not be possible. The golden age of missions has past; this is a world of local missions and native-lead churches. The fallen and obsolete West has little to teach the new revivals in Africa, Asia, and South America. If anything, we need missionaries from them. At times, I wonder if I am necessary or even wanted. What if there is no place for missionary theologians in the world today?

In any case, I've been reading a good deal of Andrew Walls these days. He has a delightfully ecumenical view of Christianity and missions while rooting it in a deep understanding of Christianity's history. He can describe, with great relish, the cultural sensitivity of Catholic missionaries while still remembering that in 1910, a missions conference could never be held with Protestants, Catholics, and Eastern Orthodox believers under one roof. Indeed, a conference of churches couldn't be held, only one of differing missionary societies. It's remarkable to hear of a world where divisions of denomination were so deeply held, to the point of hindering communication. Then I realize it is all too true in my own time: my denomination has seen its schisms and I have a vague understanding of Eastern Orthodoxy and a muted prejudice of Pentecostalism.

Though, I feel it should be mentioned, Andrew Walls has helped me with that last part. While I have every reason to question some theological choices that the charismatic movement makes, I cannot fault them for being a revival of interest and purpose for the Christian church. Indeed, viewed from the perspective of history, I'd rather have a church charged with purpose and empathy and loose on its doctrine than a church without flaw in its beliefs but dead to the world. Ironic, I suppose, given that my duty as a theologian is to carefully sift heresy from truth in the religious performances of my day. I worry that I would fail in my work, that I will be far too lenient and let gross falsities pass by. But then again, who knows what work God really has in store for me? The future has never seemed so muddled.

The distant future, at least. For the time, Jessica and I are stationed and stabilized in our life in Kentucky. Jessica recently got a job at Petsmart, solving our financial woes for the time being. Our home is a settled house, though I am still learning how to live in it. So many cupboards left open, teacups left on tables, and cooking spaces left uncleaned. I fear I have been a poor student of Mrs. French and Jermakov. Still, I press on. A family man, I hope to be. And the first step of that is being an excellent husband.