[easyazon-image align=”left” asin=”0830857079″ locale=”us” height=”110″ src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51s%2BGS41LIL._SL110_.jpg” width=”73″]Page 2: Paul’s Missionary Methods
The second part of the book, with its focus on Paul’s Influence on Mission, begins with Hesselgrave’s engagement with “Paul’s Missions Strategy.” The extended review of Allen’s Missionary Methods is perhaps the strongest section of the book. Relying on Newbigin’s introduction to the 1960 edition, Hesselgrave offers an insightful critique of numerous strengths and weaknesses to Allen’s approach. The recasting of “methods” as “generational reassessment” clarifies one of the primary weaknesses in Allen’s original work. However, the last portion of this chapter is articulated from too narrow of an evangelical perspective. Here, Hesselgrave puts forward a strident evangelicalism that defines itself at times over-against both Catholicism and the Emergent Church, (which he leaves rather dismissively un-nuanced in a way that would include any mission effort rooted in the missio Dei trajectory articulated by Newbigin) and rejects holistic mission as revisionist, while also calling for an embrace of Allen’s view of apostolic preaching defined in terms of the “conversion of the inner man.” (139-144).
Pocock’s also comments on Paul’s strategy, contending that “Paul was clearly and strongly christocentric in his teaching, but he usually explained his movements as instigated by the Holy Spirit.”(149) In illuminating Allen’s attention to the Holy Spirit, Pocock offers a critique of the contemporary pattern to elevate the teaching of the epistles over “historical and narrative portions of the scripture.”(154) He then calls for a renewed commitment to scripture not with “slavish repetition” of Paul’s patterns but to considering the principles made known through Paul’s life as “benchmarks” for contemporary mission.(155) In this way, Pocock argues for both orthodoxy and orthopraxis in missionary work through a “fresh dependence on the Holy Spirit.”(159). Similarly, Terry (chapter 10, “Indigenous Missions”) and Lawless (chapter 13, “Leadership Development”) both extend Allen’s reflections on Paul’s trust in the Holy Spirit by emphasizing how Paul quickly turned over leadership of new churches to indigenous leaders. As Allen asserted, Terry and Lawless also argue convincingly that Paul expected new churches and young leaders to replicate themselves; those he discipled were to disciple others.
Likewise, Stetzer and Beard give attention to Paul’s trust in the Holy Spirit as they articulate Allen’s teaching regarding “Paul and Church Planting.” While faithfully buttressing Allen’s argument with more recent scholarship, this chapter had the potential to be much more beneficial. The final two pages of the chapter introduce several applications that offer sound suggestions for furthering Allen’s conversation. For example, the chapter could have been much stronger by providing more room to explore the need for flexibility in mission and the advocacy “for all kinds of new church planters: bivocational, ethnic, lay, house churches and more.” (194).
There is no doubt that Paul’s Missionary Methods is a beneficial resource that faithfully seeks to extend the impact of Roland Allen’s Missionary Methods for a new generation of evangelicals, providing an honest assessment of strengths and weaknesses within a spirit of gratitude. The commentary and critique on Allen’s writing offered under Plummer’s and Terry’s editorial influence presents a broadened and deepened consideration of missionary implications that can be drawn from the observing the Apostle Paul in the New Testament. While there are a few instances where the convictions of North American evangelicalism threaten to unnecessarily narrow the conversation, the overall tone and presentation of material encourages a delightful reengagement with the substance of Allen’s work. Regardless of whether one ultimately accepts the primary thesis of the book – that the church today needs to replicate, not reinvent, our missionary methods, this collaborative contribution provides a helpful perspective on Allen’s, and ultimately on the Apostle Paul’s, impact within contemporary evangelicalism.
C. Christopher Smith is the founding editor of The Englewood Review of Books. He is also author of a number of books, including most recently How the Body of Christ Talks: Recovering the Practice of Conversation in the Church (Brazos Press, 2019). Connect with him online at: C-Christopher-Smith.com
 Reading for the Common Good From ERB Editor Christopher Smith "This book will inspire, motivate and challenge anyone who cares a whit about the written word, the world of ideas, the shape of our communities and the life of the church." -Karen Swallow Prior Enter your email below to sign up for our weekly newsletter & download your FREE copy of this ebook! |
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