Here’s a thought-provoking quote from Richard Bauckham’s 2003 book, Bible and Mission (Paternoster Press):

The gospel does not come to each person only in terms of some abstracted generality of human nature, but in the realities and differences of their social and economic situations. It engages with the injustices of the world on its way to the kingdom of God. This means that as well as the outward movement of the church’s mission in geographical extension and numerical increase, there must also be this (in the Bible’s imagery) downward movement of solidarity with the people at the bottom of the social scale of importance and wealth. It is to these – the poorest, those with no power or influence, the wretched, the neglected – to whom God has given priority in the kingdom, not only for their own sake, but also for all the rest of us who can enter the kingdom only alongside them. (pp.53-54)

What do you think?

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Published by timjdavy

I teach and research on (1) the Bible and mission and (2) children-at-risk in the Bible and contemporary society. I am Lecturer and Head of Research and Consultancy at All Nations Christian College in the UK. You can find out what I'm up to on the Bible and Mission website and also my weekly newsletter: https://timjdavy.substack.com/

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