I'd give it 3.5 stars if I could.

The book is a scholarly theological study, which means it is very dry and not a quick read. It requires a certain level of concentration and patience to get through.

However, despite its dryness, the content was good. It provided in-depth analysis and exploration of the theology of mission in the Scriptures. It helped me affirm a few ideas that I had previously held, and also introduced me to some new perspectives and insights.

Overall, while the book may not be for everyone, it is a valuable resource for those who are interested in a serious study of the theology of mission. It is well-written and well-researched, and provides a wealth of information and ideas for further reflection and study.

If you are willing to invest the time and effort, I would recommend this book to you. It may not be the most exciting read, but it is definitely worth the effort.

Theology of mission in the Old Testament and New Testament is a profound and fascinating subject.

In the Old Testament, the concept of mission was often tied to God's plan for His chosen people, Israel. God called them to be a light to the nations, to show forth His glory and to bring others to a knowledge of Him. This was accomplished through various means, such as the prophets who were sent to speak God's word to the people and to the surrounding nations.

In the New Testament, the concept of mission and evangelism took on a new dimension with the coming of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself was on a mission from God to save the world from sin and death. He called His disciples to follow Him and to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth. The early church continued this mission, spreading the gospel message through their words and deeds.

According to the Bible, mission and evangelism are not optional activities for believers. They are an essential part of our calling as followers of Christ. We are called to share the good news of salvation with those around us, to love our neighbors as ourselves, and to make disciples of all nations. This is a great and noble task, but it is also one that requires faith, courage, and obedience.

I really enjoyed this book. It presents a nearly comprehensive biblical theology of mission, considering how holy scripture presents mission. The author groups the thoughts by sections such as the Old Testament, separate Gospels, Paul, etc. The writing style is straightforward, with helpful conclusion or application paragraphs at the end of each chapter.

Although it has a kind of clunky style that is repetitive at times, it would serve as a very useful reference for each of the New Testament books. It's truly a great read!

Matthew showcases one of my favorite recurring themes: "the mission entails the nurturing of converts into the full obedience of faith, not merely the proclamation of the gospel." This emphasizes that successful disciple-making presupposes the committed discipleship of the disciple-makers themselves. In the context of Matthew's Gospel, pursuing discipleship means following after righteousness as articulated in the teaching of Jesus.

Luke/Acts receives joint consideration, highlighting the wonderful theme that Christ comes to his people in Luke and then to the nations through his people. Jesus' ministry on earth is followed by his ministry from heaven, and the mission of the church and apostles is one of participation as "witnesses."

Paul's missionary commission is summarized as preaching Christ's riches and bringing light for all to see God's purposes. Kostenberger emphasizes that Paul's goal was to produce mature believers and churches, not just focus on evangelism. His task was linked to serving and building up Christ's bride.

The book of John focuses on what Christ did and his mission, with less emphasis on the disciples. Christ's ultimate objective is to bring glory to his father, and John's theology of the cross is one of glory.

However, the lack of engagement with the OT despite using its language in evaluating the NT was a bit confusing. Also, the lack of a settled understanding of the term mission made it difficult to fully evaluate the author's perspective.

Nevertheless, the book's concluding paragraphs helpfully summarize some of its best parts, such as the divine plan of extending salvation, the importance of conversion leading to incorporation into a Christian community, and the comprehensive nature of the missionary task in the contemporary scene.

This is THE standard when it comes to a biblical theology of mission.

The authors comprehensively cover the entire Scripture, with a particular and more intense focus on Matthew, Luke-Acts, and Paul, as one would expect.

Right from the start, they acknowledge that the Christian mission is firmly rooted in the missio dei, which leads them to openly advocate God's sovereignty over mission (a point that I truly appreciate).

However, the two main aspects that are missing from the book, and the authors readily admit this, are the missiological and practical implications.

The reader will have to draw most of these conclusions on their own, although the authors do provide some for us from time to time.

Another unfortunate thing is that the book is currently out of publication due to plagiarism on O'Brien's part. This makes it extremely difficult to obtain and highly expensive when one does manage to find a copy.

Thankfully, I heard recently that Köstenberger is in the process of finalizing a sole-authored second/revised edition of this book.

Look for it in 2020 and add it to your collection. I'm eagerly anticipating checking out the new edition.

I'm sure it will offer even more valuable insights and perspectives on the topic of a biblical theology of mission.

Does the Old Testament contain the concept of mission? If so, is it the same or different than the New Testament's? How does Paul's view differ from Peter's and John's?

As far as I know, only one book of the New Studies in Biblical Theology series has two editions and two different numbers in the series. This one is Andreas Kostenberger's "Salvation to the Ends of the Earth." I have not seen the first edition, but the intro points out that T. Desmond Alexander added a section on the Old Testament. By the way, I'm writing my review on the second edition (#53 in the series) while this page is for #11; I don't know why Good Reads doesn't have an entry for the more current version.

Kostenberger divides the views of the New Testament into four groups. One might expect one of the groups to be the four Gospels, but no - each group includes one of the Gospels together. He combines the writings of John in one section and combines Matthew with the Jewish mindset of the epistles of James and to the Hebrews. Mark is linked with Peter and Jude, and you might want to bring a lunch when you tackle the 100 page chapter focused on Luke, Acts, and the epistles of Paul.

This is a very insightful book. It points out how there is a unified message through Scripture of God's desire to save the lost through the sacrifice of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. As with the others I've read in the New Studies in Biblical Theology series, I highly recommend this volume. It provides a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of the important themes and concepts within the New Testament, helping readers to better understand the overall message and purpose of the Bible.

A great biblical theological overview of Scripture that would be of great use to the local church.

This kind of overview offers a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the Bible from a theological perspective. It helps the local church members to better grasp the overarching themes, the redemptive history, and the profound teachings within the Scripture.

By having such an overview, the local church can enhance its spiritual growth and discipleship. It provides a solid foundation for preaching, teaching, and small group discussions. The members can gain a deeper appreciation for the Word of God and how it applies to their daily lives.

Moreover, this theological overview can also foster unity within the local church. When everyone has a common understanding of the Bible's theology, it becomes easier to work together towards the common goal of spreading the gospel and making disciples.

In conclusion, a great biblical theological overview of Scripture is an invaluable resource for the local church, enabling it to thrive and fulfill its God-given使命.

This title is specifically targeted at intermediate and advanced readers. The reason being is that the deep theological content it presents is not something that can be easily skimmed through quickly. One really needs to invest time to digest and reflect upon it.

For the research paper I was working on regarding the biblical theological perspective on missions, I utilised tens of books. Among them, this particular one stood out as the most insightful. What's more, it was also really easy to read. The thickness of the book is a result of the wide breadth of issues that are discussed within its pages.

Unfortunately, this book is currently out of print. I did notice that there were many ideas from various other authors being quoted without proper acknowledgement.

Nevertheless, I highly recommend obtaining a copy of this book due to its great usefulness. It would still be a very good investment for those preparing sermons or bible studies. Especially, the last chapter, which is the concluding synthesis, provides a "light" and easily comprehensible summary of the topic. If you come across a certain subsection in the concluding summary that seems potentially useful, you can then easily leaf through to the in-depth corresponding chapter.

Solid overview of the mission of God in Christ, and Christ in the Church, for those who are unfamiliar with this thread throughout Scripture.

God's mission in Christ is of utmost significance. Through Christ, God sought to reconcile humanity to Himself. Christ came to earth, lived a perfect life, and sacrificed Himself on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. This act of salvation opened the door for us to have a relationship with God.

In the Church, Christ is the head. The Church is called to be the body of Christ, representing Him in the world. The Church is to proclaim the good news of salvation, love one another, and serve the community. Christ's presence and power are at work within the Church, equipping believers to fulfill their使命.

For those who are unfamiliar with this thread throughout Scripture, it is essential to understand the central role of God's mission in Christ and Christ in the Church. By studying and reflecting on these truths, we can grow in our faith and participate more fully in God's plan for our lives and the world.

This is truly a tour de force. It is an outstanding work that has left me completely amazed. I am eagerly anticipating the marketing to roll out, so that more people can become aware of this remarkable piece. I can't wait to finish my own in-depth review and share my thoughts with others.

Kostenberger and Alexander have accomplished a great service for the church. In just around 250 pages, they have expertly unpacked and described how mission is such a crucial and central theme in biblical theology. Their work is nothing short of brilliant. It is a comprehensive and detailed exploration that offers valuable insights and perspectives.

Their efforts have made a significant contribution to the field of biblical studies and have provided a wealth of knowledge for scholars, pastors, and laypeople alike. It is a work that will无疑 have a profound impact on the way we understand and approach mission in the context of the church.

Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. This is a work that deserves to be widely read and studied. It is a testament to the authors' expertise and passion for the subject matter.

This is likely one of the best books I've ever read on the topic of missions.

Kostenberger and O'Brien have done an outstanding job in presenting a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of the subject.

Their attention to detail is truly remarkable. They leave no stone unturned as they delve into the various aspects of missions, providing valuable insights and practical applications.

What sets this book apart is its gospel-minded approach. The authors始终 keep the gospel at the center, emphasizing its importance and relevance in the context of missions.

They show how the gospel is the driving force behind all missionary work and how it should shape our understanding and practice.

Whether you are a seasoned missionary or someone who is just beginning to explore the world of missions, this book is a must-read. It will challenge you, inspire you, and equip you to make a difference in the lives of others through the power of the gospel.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who has a heart for missions and a desire to see the gospel spread to the ends of the earth.

This is an absolutely tremendous book.

The mission it presents is firmly tied to God's salvation plan, which is clearly revealed in Scripture and throughout the entire course of salvation history.

Today, the church is strongly exhorted not to view missions simply as a personal endeavour. Instead, it should be seen as actively participating in the very mission of Christ Himself.

What makes this book truly remarkable is that despite its academic style, it is extremely informative and highly readable.

The authors have consistently made efforts to draw practical applications for the contemporary church.

These types of books are the ones that have the power to ignite your excitement about biblical theology.

When done as well as it is in this book, it significantly enhances your ability to read Scripture with greater understanding and to identify the underlying patterns.

Different emphases and nuances from various parts of the Bible are carefully identified, and yet in a manner that ensures the overall revelation concerning missions remains consistent.

It is truly a valuable resource for anyone interested in delving deeper into the subject of missions and biblical theology.

Very Helpful

This is an extremely useful and comprehensive overview of the theme of mission within the Bible. The authors do not simply claim that mission can be found "everywhere" in the Bible. Instead, they present a legitimate and well-reasoned demonstration. They show that "mission is the ingredient that both precedes Christian existence and constitutes a major motivation for Christian living." This perspective offers a profound understanding of the significance of mission in the context of the Christian faith. It emphasizes that mission is not an afterthought or an add-on, but rather an essential and fundamental aspect that underpins the very essence of being a Christian. By highlighting this, the authors provide valuable insights into how mission shapes and influences the way Christians live their lives and interact with the world around them.