Recovering the Full Mission of God: A Biblical Perspective on Being, Doing and Telling

By Dean Flemming

Is our gospel witness too small? Should the gospel be proclaimed in words only? Or should we preach the gospel in deeds—and when necessary use words? Or are we missing something in playing the witness of words against deeds? If you are concerned about evangelizing the post-Christian West or the world beyond, you have probably debated this issue. And evangelical instincts drive us to Scripture. In Recovering the Full Mission of God, Dean Flemming joins biblical scholarship with missionary experience as he surveys the Old Testament and then looks closely at the New Testament and the early church. Flemming shows how the three strands of telling, doing and being relate in the mission of God and his people. Here is a book in touch with the missional realities of our time and grounded in the missional vision of biblical revelation. It gives us a clear vision of the rich and multifaceted nature of "gospeling" the kingdom of God.

• Language: English
• Publisher: IVP Academic
• Release date: Oct 4, 2013
• ISBN: 9780830864720

Dean Flemming

Dean Flemming (PhD, Aberdeen) is Professor of New Testament and Missions and MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, Kansas. He has spent more than twenty years as a missionary educator in Asia and Europe and is author of several books, including Contextualization in the New Testament, which won a 2006 Christianity Today Book Award.

Reviews for Recovering the Full Mission of God

[stephenbarkley · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This false dichotomy regarding mission is well worn:* We need to proclaim the good news. Faith comes by hearing!* We need to live the good news. As St. Francis (supposedly) said, "Preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary use words."In Recovering the Full Mission of God, Dean Flemming surveys the entire Bible with particular emphasis on the New Testament to see how these two positions are reflected in scripture. Spoiler alert: true gospel witness demands both words and actions.From the start, the "search" for an answer to this false dichotomy felt like a forgone conclusion. It is analogous to surveying the architectural styles of the world to determine whether true houses require a foundation or a roof.The most interesting part of the book is the conclusion where Flemming draws some more nuanced insights from his study. For example, the emphasis between the two poles shifts in different books. Acts is primarily about telling. 1 Peter is primarily about doing. From data like this he concludes that each scenario we encounter is unique and will require its own mix of telling and doing.Another wise conclusion is his connection of being v. doing with gifts and calling:"Our mission priority may depend on our gifts and calling. ... None of us can meet every kind of need on our own" (268).Some people are gifted conversationalists while others rather slip in behind the scenes and serve. God uses every gift and ability to create the right mix of doing and telling to meet the need.This book can feel repetitive at times. After all, Flemming is looking for the same thing in every area of scripture. That said, the conclusions make this book worth the read. In order to be Christ in a situation, the body needs to both proclaim and live the gospel.

[jared_runck · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book is clearly indebted to Christopher J. H. Wright's much larger work "The Mission of God: Unlocking the Bible's Grand Narrative." In many ways, it reads like the Reader's Digest Condensed Books version of that work.

But that is not meant as a slander; in fact, that is what makes this such a good work. In less than half the time/pages, Flemming manages to convey the same message as Wright with arguably equal force and clarity.

Since I had previously read Wright's work in-depth, I was able to move through this book quickly (when I had the chance to pick it up). Those unfamiliar with Wright will want to perhaps move more slowly than I did.

Here's what I would suggest: pick up BOTH Flemming and Wright. For those who desire an in-depth study, begin with Wright, then follow up with Flemming as a good "summary." For those looking for a lighter beginning, start with Flemming and then work your way into Wright.

Either way, you won't be slighted...you'll be blessed.

[Llewellyn Pienaar · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Puts the Bible into perspective from Genesis to Revelations.

The mission of God is the heart of the Bible, His purpose, and our call to action.