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Sixth Missionary Paradigm in Church History
By Erroll Hulse
David Bosch in his magnus opus Transforming Mission which is regarded as the most important text book available today on Missiology, has a sub-title which reads Paradigm Shifts in Theology of Mission.
Writing in 2008 I observe that Bosch is forty metres higher than any other writer in the field of mission. I give three reasons why Bosch’s book leads the pack. First he provides a brilliant exposition of what the Scriptures teach on mission. For instance if you have wondered why his home-town kinsmen tried to kill Jesus when he spoke in the synagogue at Nazareth (Luke 4) read Bosch page 108ff. Second he reviews the whole of Church history from the standpoint of mission, and third he analyses accurately and fully where we stand internationally on mission today. It is not as though I am entirely uncritical of David Bosch. He is ecumenical in his approach. The reader always needs to bear in mind the huge differences between the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic Church and churches which proclaim faithfully the doctrine of justifiication by faith alone.
In discussing the manner in which the Christian Church has through the ages interpreted and carried out its mission, Bosch follows Hans Kung who submits that the entire history of Christianity can be subdivided into six major paradigms. By paradigm is meant character. Each paradigm has its own character. The change from one to another is gradual but each epoch has its own characteristics. The six major paradigms according to Kung are:
- The apocalyptic paradigm of primitive Christianity
- The Hellenistic paradigm of the patristic period
- The medieval Roman Catholic paradigm
- The Protestant (Reformation) paradigm
- The modern Enlightenment paradigm
- The emerging ecumenical paradigm
Each of these six periods Kung suggests, reveals a peculiar understanding of the Christian faith. To this Bosch adds that each also offers a distinctive understanding of Christian mission.
As we look back over the whole of Church history we should note that there is only one Church of those who are united to Christ by faith. It is one united family from beginning to end. There are changes in emphasis but the same desires for the glory of Christ indwell believers from century to century. There are times such as the medieval Roman Catholic period, when the Gospel was almost extinguished and when we have to search for those who exhibited the indwelling sanctification power of the Holy Spirit. He, the Holy Spirit, is the Spirit of mission. The compassion and missionary concern of the Head of the Church lives in all his disciples but with different degrees of power and passion and intelligence (John 15:7). Outstanding examples of true Christianity through history are seen in the love and sacrificial service of those who have given up everything to go out to the unreached. In doing so they faced hazards and perils of all kinds. A high proportion were martyred..
