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Stephen: A few episodes ago, we talked about the decline of missions in the West and the argument that Western churches ought to leave foreign missions to churches from other regions. Often that argument is tethered to stories of missionary failures and scandals from the past. Stories that cause some in, and especially outside, of the church to balk at new missionary endeavors. Chad, our question today comes from Avery. Avery asks, "How would you explain mission work to non-believers who might associate it with negative examples in history or view it as forcing or imposing our beliefs on others?"
Chad: Thank you for your question, Avery. I'm assuming you're asking a bit of how to provide an apologetic answer to an unbeliever who brings up historical examples of abuses by so-called Christian missionaries. We've seen those abuses among Roman Catholics and Protestants throughout history. In fact, in the Protestant world, we can go back to the scandals of the 17th century Dutch Reformed who went out with the East India Trading Company. Now, those men did some good work, but their work was plagued with scandal as some of the missionaries took advantage of the financial wealth that could be gained for themselves, and they fell into disrepute, some even being rejected from their countries. The fact is that there have been many vile and wicked acts in the past and in the present under the banner of Christian missions. I think it's important that we just acknowledge that fact. There are many who profess the name of Christ, even ministers and missionaries, who bring great dishonor to His name. The Church is not immune from this. Missionaries aren't immune from it either. Frankly, none of us are immune from temptation to indwelling sin. We must fight it. We must never let our guard down. For if we do, we will begin to see our consciences seared and our hearts hardened. And the vileness of sin of which we're capable is breathtaking.
As the Puritan John Owen has said, "The seed of every sin is in my heart."
All that's really required is that we water that seed. I think it's important that we remember that our Bible does not ever hide nor obscure the reality of how sinful man is. The Bible is the story of sin and scandal on the part of man, even the best of men. It's also the story of the relentless love and grace of the God who beckons us to return to Him. He does not cast us away. He calls us to return. And on what basis can we return? Well, on the basis of the person and work of Jesus Christ. "God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
And I guess this is precisely where you want to take your unbelieving friend in this conversation. The fact that they've engaged you on the question of "why missions" or "what about past scandals" is such a glorious place for you to begin to explain the gospel to them. Bring them to the gospel. It's not just the sin and injustice out there and in the past that we need to be concerned with. It's the sin in here in our own hearts and in the present that ought to concern us the most. And your friend needs to hear that God freely offers Christ to her. Let your friend know that we do not send missionaries because we find ourselves to be better than others. We send missionaries because we know that we need the grace of God, the forgiveness of our sins, and peace with God that can only be found in Jesus. And we know that's precisely what the rest of the world needs, too. So we send missionaries because we have a common sin and misery and condemnation. Yet we have an uncommon grace that we know, and we feel an obligation or a debt to tell those who do not know. Don't let your friend off the hook. It's not just the rest of the world that needs to know this. Your friend needs to know this. Make sure that she knows that she needs Jesus every bit as much as you do and as the nations do. Try to use every opportunity to speak the gospel with boldness and clarity.
Now, your friend may wonder if you have the right to go and convert people who aren't asking for it. I would encourage you to remind her of two truths.
One, we believe only God is Lord of the conscience. Therefore, we freely offer the gospel as we're commanded to, but we never believe we have a right to force conscription.
Second, we do not believe anyone is asking for Jesus because no one wants to follow the Lord. We are all lost and without hope in opposition to God. But God, because of the great love with which He loved us, is gracious enough to come looking for us and to save us in His Son. He sends people to preach this good news to us.
In the end, your unbelieving friend won't accept any of this apart from the work of the Holy Spirit. So, I encourage you above all to pray for her. Speak the truth in love to her and trust the Spirit to work as He will and when He wills.
Stephen: To experience the stories of missionaries who honored Christ through their life and ministry, you can stream our six-part docuseries at missionary.com/docuseries. And if you have a question you'd like to hear answered on Ask Missionary, drop a comment on this episode and get in touch with us on social media, or send us an email through missionary.com, and your question may be featured on this show. Next week, we're breaking down medical missions, what they are, and examining both their benefits and potential drawbacks. Don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss it. See you next week.