The Globalisation of Missions: Religion Essay (Article)

Introduction

The theme of globalization of missions and its exegesis is of current interest in the modern cross-cultural world. The article Globalisation of missions: An exegesis on the Great Commission (Mt 28:18-20) written by Mookgo Solomon Kgatle provides an interesting and deep interpretation of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). The author analyses The Great Commission verse by verse using a grammatical. I did not appreciate the repetitiveness of the article and suppose that greater accent could be made on thinking globally and cross-culturally, taking into account contemporary theories of multiculturalism. However, this does not detract from the merits of the article in understanding mission as a global task emanating from Jesus.

Kgatle, being African professor, gives his view on the combination of globalization and localization of preaching activity in the national context. For instance, he rightly claims that although there is no such thing as an African Gospel, there is an African mission context. The emphasis in the article is made on the explanation of the components of the mission in the global context. The main mission globalization components outlined by Kgatle are Christ’s authority, which is transferred to his disciples in order to fulfill the mission; targeting all nations globally, and focusing on Jesus’ own teaching – the Gospel.

All Authority

The Great Commission starts with reminding the authority of Jesus Christ as the Son of the Lord, and establishes the transfer of this authority to the disciples. Kgatle writes, “Authority in this text is transferred to human beings, because, regarding his divine nature, ‘all power’ has been always his”. It means that disciples do not lead with personal authority and should not choose their followers because that would be sectarian. They must rely on God’s universal truth and gather followers in the name of Jesus. Thus, disciples have to make not only human relationship, but connect newcomers to the faith and Christ.

All Nations

Talking about ‘all nations’ Kgatle reminds us that missions in unrestricted and makes no difference between race, religion, ethnicity, color or class. It makes no sense to pay special attention to Jews and Gentiles, because the main goal is “the way to redeem the entire world”. At the same time, disciples must not disturb ethnic identity, but preserve it, and preach in the cultural context. This message went in parallel with Rome’s wish for control over different nations, but it was contrasting with it as well. Mission views people as individuals and focuses on building and maintaining their personal connection to Jesus.

All things that I have commanded you

Another essential part of the Great Commission is shifting attention from the Torah and the Old Testament to the New Testament and the study of Jesus’ life as a model of virtue and piety. Discipleship involves studying the Christ’s commandments and “diligent teaching of the gospel and practices that promotes a lifestyle of becoming ever more like Jesus Christ”. The disciples must concentrate their teaching on Christocentric ethics and morality without picking facts. This way teaching becomes truly global and universal because it focuses on common human similarities, not cultural differences.

Conclusion

To summarize, it is clearly seen that the exegesis on the Great Commission calls the disciples of Christ to a global holistic mission regardless of any cultural, class or race differences. This call is reinforced by the universal authority emanating from the Lord, through the many examples of Jesus’ teaching. To fulfill the mission disciples must start locally, building and expanding social networks through the personal experience of living what Christ commanded. The global nature of the mission should also lie in the diversification of influence, because it is not about promotion of Western culture; but about spreading the Gospel while preserving local cultures.

Bibliography

Kgatle, Mookgo S. “Discipleship misconceptions: A social scientific reading of James and John’s request for seats of honour (Mark 10: 35-42).” Stellenbosch Theological Journal 3, no. 1 (2017): 185–204.

Kgatle, Mookgo S. “Globalisation of missions: An exegesis on the Great Commission (Mt 28:18-20).” In die Skriflig 51, no. 1 (2018): 1–7.

Mashau Thinandavha and Kgatle Mookgo. “Prosperity gospel and the culture of greed in post-colonial Africa: Constructing an alternative African Christian Theology of Ubuntu.” Verbum et Ecclesia 40, no.1 (2019): 1-8.