Re:Mission: Biblical Mission for a Post-Biblical World - A Book

The biblical story therefore is a story in history. It is detached from our world, and although it provides an incentive for faith in the God of Israel, who is also the God of the whole world (although now ‘god’ with a small ‘g’. to signify his less dominating position in the scheme of things), the story is only our story in an indirect sense.

Peter, I can’t let this slip by - even from the heart of Borneo. The only time ‘god’ appears with a small ‘g’ in the book is in reference to a statement put out by a church in Brussels. I consistently use ‘YHWH’ or ‘God’. Nor do I see how the argument of the book diminishes the thought that the God of Israel is God of the whole world. That is the whole point of Isaiah’s argument, which I use extensively; and of Paul’s argument in Romans that through Christ the descendants of Abraham ‘inherit the world’. True, the book brings to the foreground the narrative about Israel, because I think that fairly reflects the focus of the Bible. But the Son of man narrative is ultimately an affirmation that Jesus will overcome Caesar and become king of kings, Lord of Lords.

I agree that the book places the emphasis on the church discovering its potential to embody actually and prophetically the hope of creation made new. But the book makes the point that both in the Old Testament and in the New this new creation is redeemed from the old, which consists of a putting off of the old sinful humanity and a putting on of the new humanity in Christ.

Otherwise, I appreciate what seems to me a very fair and perceptive review. And yes, the book certainly reflects (though not necessarily consciously) discussions that we have had on this website. Thanks.