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Short Studies in Biblical Theology
The Mission of God and the Witness of the Church
A Canonical Journey to Explore the Mission of the Eternal God “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1). This declarative phrase introduces fundamental questions circling the minds of skeptics and believers of Christianity alike. What was God’s mission when he chose to create? And why, through the Savior’s death on the cross and the witness of his church, does he continue to redeem the very creation that rebels against him? To answer these imperative questions, author Justin Schell takes readers on a canonical journey exploring the mission of the eternal God―Father, Son, and Spirit. Drawing insights from creation, the exodus of God’s people, the suffering servant, the Great Commission, and consummation, this book examines the purpose and beauty of God’s great story. It is out of an abundance of love that God brings us into union with him, calling his church to bear witness to all that has been done in Christ, until the day that he returns.
- GenresTheology
144 pages, Paperback
Published June 25, 2024
11 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 22, 2025
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Super helpful for all, but especially for those that labor in expositional preaching.
September 12, 2025
I didn’t expect a book in a series like this and as short as this to be groundbreaking, but it is. So much of the debate between priortism and holism in missiology hinges on a biblical theology of mission, with holists claiming a superior synthesis of the whole Bible’s teaching while prioritists are supposedly constrained to prooftexts such as the Great Commission and a few other verses.
Schell argues that the missio Dei is “God‘s revelatory work intended to establish a divine human communion with creation” (2). Thus, the activity of mission is God’s self-revealing, the aim of mission is communion between God and humanity, and the context of mission is non-human creation. He then works his way through the canon, demonstrating how his definition of mission arises naturally from each section of Scripture.
The book is full of fresh insights such as turning the common refrain “God has a church for his mission” on its head, with Schell arguing that it is actually God‘s mission that creates the church. Schell’s chapter on the Great Commission is especially helpful. He not only situates the Great Commission within the context of the canon, but—building on an interpretation of Matthew as an analogy recapitulating the history of Israel—argues convincingly that the GC should be understood as a turning point in redemptive history.
And Schell does all of this in 108 pages. Brilliant.
Schell argues that the missio Dei is “God‘s revelatory work intended to establish a divine human communion with creation” (2). Thus, the activity of mission is God’s self-revealing, the aim of mission is communion between God and humanity, and the context of mission is non-human creation. He then works his way through the canon, demonstrating how his definition of mission arises naturally from each section of Scripture.
The book is full of fresh insights such as turning the common refrain “God has a church for his mission” on its head, with Schell arguing that it is actually God‘s mission that creates the church. Schell’s chapter on the Great Commission is especially helpful. He not only situates the Great Commission within the context of the canon, but—building on an interpretation of Matthew as an analogy recapitulating the history of Israel—argues convincingly that the GC should be understood as a turning point in redemptive history.
And Schell does all of this in 108 pages. Brilliant.
November 3, 2024
Read to prepare for teaching the Great Commission. But got so much more that I can use in so many other places. The NT stuff was all very familiar but the OT stuff was new and very very good. Loved it
September 24, 2025
Read for a class - this is a banger
December 1, 2024
Do you want to read a book on a biblical theology of missions? If so you might be interested in this book. It is part of the Short Studies in Biblical Theology series that Crossway has put out. I have enjoyed the majority of the titles in this series so when I saw this book has been recently published I knew I had to read it and review it! The book is authored by Justin Schell who has served as a cross-cultural missionary in the Muslim world.
Besides the introduction there are eight chapters that makes up the main body of this book. The introduction helps define missions; seeing that the term “missions” is not frequent in the Bible it is important to understand the concept which then yield more biblical insights for one to look for. Unlike the other books in this series chapter one then become more about Theology Proper (that we expect more from Systematic Theology); the author’s point is that we need to know who God is as the foundation for our understanding about mission especially if we are going to have a God-centered view of missions as opposed to a man-centered view of missions or even a cosmos-centered view of missions that is popular pitfalls today in missiology. Chapter two and three then begins with a look at the topic of missions starting with Genesis. Chapter four looks at the Exodus story for its implication towards missions while chapter five is on the land and exile. It looks at the rest of the Old Testament through the exploration of God’s gifts of the law, temple and kingdom. Chapter six pivots to the New Testament by looking at the Great Commission while chapter seven explores the book of Acts. The final chapter considers the Epistles and the book of Revelation.
There were great things I learned from this book that were insightful of the Scripture. For example I thought the author made a good point that in Ancient Near East the “image of God” is used to describe royalty but in the Bible it is applied to all people (26). I agree with the author that “image” is not just representational and relational but is ultimately reflect “sonship” (27). In Genesis 1 everything is made “according to their kinds” but with creation of man Genesis does not used this formula but rather man is made in the image of God (27)! I like how the book says “Genealogy is Gospel in Family tree form” (36). In chapter five of the book the author writes about how Psalm 67 asks God to bless Israel so that the nations can know the Lord (64); interestingly Psalm 67 is sung on the Pentecost which points to a greater harvest (64).
I thought overall the book is good. It does build upon other observations of other biblical theology motifs, some of which are covered in detail in other volumes in this series (sonship, Exodus, etc). Nevertheless, I am glad Crossway thought it is fitting to have a stand alone volume on the Missions of God; these days a lot of people are distracted by many things but the God given tasks of the church with missions. So I appreciate this work. I recommend it.
NOTE: This book was provided to me free by Crossway without any obligation for a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.
Besides the introduction there are eight chapters that makes up the main body of this book. The introduction helps define missions; seeing that the term “missions” is not frequent in the Bible it is important to understand the concept which then yield more biblical insights for one to look for. Unlike the other books in this series chapter one then become more about Theology Proper (that we expect more from Systematic Theology); the author’s point is that we need to know who God is as the foundation for our understanding about mission especially if we are going to have a God-centered view of missions as opposed to a man-centered view of missions or even a cosmos-centered view of missions that is popular pitfalls today in missiology. Chapter two and three then begins with a look at the topic of missions starting with Genesis. Chapter four looks at the Exodus story for its implication towards missions while chapter five is on the land and exile. It looks at the rest of the Old Testament through the exploration of God’s gifts of the law, temple and kingdom. Chapter six pivots to the New Testament by looking at the Great Commission while chapter seven explores the book of Acts. The final chapter considers the Epistles and the book of Revelation.
There were great things I learned from this book that were insightful of the Scripture. For example I thought the author made a good point that in Ancient Near East the “image of God” is used to describe royalty but in the Bible it is applied to all people (26). I agree with the author that “image” is not just representational and relational but is ultimately reflect “sonship” (27). In Genesis 1 everything is made “according to their kinds” but with creation of man Genesis does not used this formula but rather man is made in the image of God (27)! I like how the book says “Genealogy is Gospel in Family tree form” (36). In chapter five of the book the author writes about how Psalm 67 asks God to bless Israel so that the nations can know the Lord (64); interestingly Psalm 67 is sung on the Pentecost which points to a greater harvest (64).
I thought overall the book is good. It does build upon other observations of other biblical theology motifs, some of which are covered in detail in other volumes in this series (sonship, Exodus, etc). Nevertheless, I am glad Crossway thought it is fitting to have a stand alone volume on the Missions of God; these days a lot of people are distracted by many things but the God given tasks of the church with missions. So I appreciate this work. I recommend it.
NOTE: This book was provided to me free by Crossway without any obligation for a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.
September 2, 2024
Justin A. Schell’s book, The Mission of God and the Witness of the Church is a welcome addition to the growing list of books committed to advancing the cause of biblical theology. Schell clearly describes the mission of God to avoid any confusion at the outset: “God’s revelatory work intended to establish a divine-human communion within creation.”
The author guides readers from creation to the cross, which eventually leads to consummation in eternity future. The bulk of the book fills in the missing details and includes pertinent theological reflection, which supports the following assertion:
God’s mission is to reveal himself to humanity throughout the world in order to draw women and men into communion with himself. The role of God’s people in this mission is to witness to the revelation of God in word and deed, with priority placed on witnessing to those things revealed by God for salvation, found only in his word.
The book concludes triumphantly: “That is why the church’s mission is primarily one of verbal witness. Between the first and second comings of Christ, we are sent out into the world to plead with people to be reconciled to God.” This is our sacred duty and privilege!
The Mission of God and Witness of the Church is an essential work for anyone who has an interest in biblical theology.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.
The author guides readers from creation to the cross, which eventually leads to consummation in eternity future. The bulk of the book fills in the missing details and includes pertinent theological reflection, which supports the following assertion:
God’s mission is to reveal himself to humanity throughout the world in order to draw women and men into communion with himself. The role of God’s people in this mission is to witness to the revelation of God in word and deed, with priority placed on witnessing to those things revealed by God for salvation, found only in his word.
The book concludes triumphantly: “That is why the church’s mission is primarily one of verbal witness. Between the first and second comings of Christ, we are sent out into the world to plead with people to be reconciled to God.” This is our sacred duty and privilege!
The Mission of God and Witness of the Church is an essential work for anyone who has an interest in biblical theology.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.
August 3, 2024
Well-executed synopsis on a topic that unfortunately can be divisive. Schell pushes back against the mission creep of the church seen in everything from the writings of Christopher Wright to the various shenanigans of SJW types. The mission of God on earth is relationship with his chosen people. The church's mission is to proclaim how that relationship is possible.
There you have it. Are there plenty of entailments? Of course. After all, the Great Commission mentions obedience to all of Christ's commandments. That's a big project! But note it's part of the Great Commission; it must flow from the proclamation of the gospel.
I was unfamiliar with the author but impressed with his work--kudos to Crossway for finding him and giving him a shot. I doubt it's the last we'll hear from Schell.
There you have it. Are there plenty of entailments? Of course. After all, the Great Commission mentions obedience to all of Christ's commandments. That's a big project! But note it's part of the Great Commission; it must flow from the proclamation of the gospel.
I was unfamiliar with the author but impressed with his work--kudos to Crossway for finding him and giving him a shot. I doubt it's the last we'll hear from Schell.
July 1, 2024
A great addition to this series! I was appreciative of Schell taking us back to focus on the overall mission of God, as he is saving a people to communion with him from every tribe, tongue, and nation. This volume combined with J.D. Payne's 'Theology of Mission,' are very concise reads that help unpack the storyline of God's redemptive mission throughout the Scriptures.
July 31, 2024
Excellent. A few of the recent books in this series were disappointing - but not this one. One of the better insights was the connection between our words and deeds with special and general revelation. While obvious, it bears repeating that the gospel requires words.
September 7, 2024
A fantastic short book on mission.
Of course, a biblical theological look at mission. It's so well written that it draws you into the arc of mission across the entire bible, and you end up fired up to reach the ends of the earth!
Cannot recommend enough.
Of course, a biblical theological look at mission. It's so well written that it draws you into the arc of mission across the entire bible, and you end up fired up to reach the ends of the earth!
Cannot recommend enough.
December 15, 2024
Schell provides a clear and organized path through the Scriptures to show God’s heart for the Church to be His witness in the earth. My favorite chapter was “Yahweh Saves”—no spoilers, but the connections Schell draws are awesome enough to make a Baptist shout. Great book!
March 31, 2025
One of the better books in the series I reckon! (I have liked every one I've read). The OT insight into the Mission of God and his means of that mission, ie his people was great.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews