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To the Critics of the Christian Missionary Movement

Posted by Bob Fetherlin , 26 September 2007 · 698 views

You've accused cross-cultural workers bearing the name of Christ of being agents of colonialism. Granted, at times this has been true. You've said that people on mission for Jesus have been imperialistic. There's some truth in that accusation as well. And yes, there have been acts perpetrated in the name of Christ that are a shame to the Church and to Christ himself.

At the same time, historian David Bosch writes, "The missionary movement made a prime contribution to the abolition of slavery, spread better methods of agriculture, established . . . schools, gave medical care to millions, elevated the status of women, created bonds between people of different countries, which war could not sever, trained . . . the leadership of the nations now nesly independent" (Bosch, Transforming Mission: Orbis, 1991, pg. 294). All of this is the result of God's transforming, redemptive power at work.

In addition, the power of Christ at work through the missionary movement has resulted in millions of people crossing over from spiritual death to life. In the words of Jesus, "Whoever hears my word and believes in him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life" (John 5:24). Coming out of the dark night of the soul into the light of the gospel is the greatest journey anyone can take! Thanks to God's work through the missionary movement, as imperfect as it has been and still is, people continue to find new life in Christ. This is priceless . . . it begins during our earthly journey, results in the kinds of dramatic changes described above, and lasts for eternity!




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