An Introduction to the Science of Missions

by Johan Herman Bavinck, David H. Freeman (Translator), David Hugh Freeman (Translator)

For several decades, this book has been recognized as an important textbook in the field of missions. Now not only foreign missionaries, but also pastors and elders faced with an increasingly unchurched culture at home can find in this work the invaluable guidance they need.

Genres: Theology

323 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1960

About the author

Johan Herman Bavinck (see also J.H. Bavinck) was a Dutch pastor, missionary and theologian.

Bavinck was born in Rotterdam as the second son of Reverend Coenraad Bernardus Bavinck. He attended the Marnix Gymnasium there. Both his father and his grandfather Jan Bavinck were pastors. His uncle was Herman Bavinck, pastor and Professor of Dogmatics at the theological school in Kampen and at the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam

Reviews

[Zack · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stimulating, engaging (if not gripping), and thoroughly biblical treatment of missions. Bavinck addresses both the theory (theology and theoretical method) and practice (history and practical method) of missions. Though lacking in an explicitly trinitarian dimension, Bavinck’s masterpiece is eminently helpful.

Some high points that stuck out to me:
- his engagement with Gisbertus Voetius and more recent reformed scholarship on missiology
- his command of biblical, systematic, and elenctic theology, all deployed and demonstrated in about 300 pages
- definition of missions on page 62 (last paragraph of section 12)
- high view of the church (see page 159, last paragraph of section 29, for example)
- his high view of elenctics - “ The Bible from the first page to the last is a tremendous plea against heathenism, against the paganizing tendencies in Israel itself, in short, against the corruption of religion” (244).

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unintentional or not, Bavinck raises more questions than he answers. Yet, the book is far from frustrating - rather his laser focus on the biblical foundations of missions is refreshing and encouraging. Further, he puts any frustrations in their proper place: "Mission work is a work filled with many disappointments, but when we have experienced these to their very depth, what remains is our disappointment with ourselves. And our disappointment is then mingled with the surprise that God, in spite of our clumsy and unworthy hands, still would perform such marvelous things."

[Ben Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This big, old book is more influential than you may think! From Edmund Clowney to Harvie Conn to Tim Keller, the theological emphases in this important work continue to challenge and shape many of us.

I was struck by the book’s insights on (1) the difference between accommodation (we might call it contextualization today) and taking possession, (2) his keen skill in outlining the missionary science of elenctics (the science of the conviction of sin), (3) the biblical foundation for missions (“Answers can be given solely on the basis of Scripture”), (4) the theological emphasis on God’s activity as primary in missions, and (5) the priority given to preaching the gospel on the mission field.

In all these areas and more, J. H. Bavinck remains an important dialogue partner for many of our ongoing discussions today!

[Rylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't think it is possible to read too much of JH Bavinck. While there are certain themes that appear both here and in The Church Between Temple and Mosque--namely, the more you learn idolatry in its deepest motives, "the more you recognize yourself therein; you see that you yourself are repeatedly busy, in the same way, trying to flee from God and push him aside, although you do so in a much more refined and sophisticated manner. Your own life, in which God's grace has performed and patiently continues to perform a wonderful work against the unruliness of your own heart, itself constitutes the basis for your elenctic efforts" (230).

Here, in contrast to TCBTM, Bavinck delves more into the art and necessity of elenctics--"rebuke" which Bavinck phrases in the essential question: "What have you done with God?" Elenctics is the process of listening for the fleeing human heart ("Where are you?"); understanding how this individual came to think that running was a good idea ("Who told you?"); and, by the power of the Holy Spirit, convicting the darkened human heart of sin ("What is this that you have done?").

Bavinck also wrestles profoundly with the question of culture--particularly in light of the history of missions that have often resulted in created colonies rather than churches. The missionary, as a human being, is intrinsically a bearer of culture (and cultures are inescapably religious). While Bavinck doesn't answer all of the questions he raises, the questions he does ask are incredibly generative.

Bavinck suggests that the era of missions that we are now in is one of penance--learning again the weakness and necessity of prayer for the ways missions in the past has not been normed by love but by attitudes of economic, technological, and cultural superiority. Once again his words on elenctics are well heard:

"Anyone who knows himself to any extent knows the finesse with which a man can escape from God, and wrestle free from his grasp. To be really able to convict anyone else of sin, a person must know himself, and the hidden corners of his heart very well. There is no more humbling work in the world than to engage in elenctics. For at each moment the person knows that the weapons which he turns against another have wounded himself. The Holy Spirit first convicts us, and then through us he convicts the world. Anyone who in humility lets the Holy Spirit convince him of his sins may be the means by which the Holy Spirit discloses to others the hidden sources of their unwillingness to really take God seriously. And anyone who does not take God seriously can not take himself seriously. In one way or another he will always seek to abandon his sin, his responsibility, his need of grace, and the meaning of his life. He will seek to escape from all this as from an obstinate illusion. Whoever finds God, discovers life." (272).

[George · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book on missiology. I think Bavinck (not the OG, his nephew) rightly deduces the problems with missions and missional thinking that has happened in the past with the church, but also correctly identifies some of the problems we are now seeing in the world when it comes to reaching certain parts of the world. In some places it has gotten even worse than Bavinck thought, and in some places better.

The "science" of missions as Bavinck presents it is less of a method and more of a reflection and review. In this way it flows from the classical meaning of science as knowledge or thought, and in a world where ministry is always trying to develop methods that will get the most numbers or whatever, I think it is better to have thoughts than methods that become dated or may not even work in most contexts in the first place.

I do not believe that Bavinck really says enough to make this feel original, but it is still helpful at raising thoughts and questions that we need today as much as in the 1960's when this was released.

[Will Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really surprised me. I didn't really have any expectations going in beyond the thought that this may not be an easy read. I was wrong. This is a really good and important book.

This book (like Newbigin and Allen) is one of those ground breaking books that serves as a foundation to many of the newer works today. Though this one, unlike Newbigin and Allen, doesn't get as much attention or credit.

This is definitely a book worth returning to. Especially on the section of elenctics (concerned with the conviction of sin and asking of unbelievers, what have they done with God?). A lot more work needs to be done here. This book only offers a brief intro. There's a lot of material to flesh out in the intersection of apologetics and mission.

It's rare to come across a book like this: it's been one that I've had on my shelf for a while, but never touched. And now I am sitting here wondering why it took so long for me to read this...

[Kenneth]

Hard to read, but helpful. There are some really good points about the motivation, audience, method, and content for missions. This book is both fascinating and boring at times. An important tip for would-be readers: Chapter 1 gives an outline of the book. Each lettered point (a., b., c., etc.) are discussed in that order in the subsequent chapters. It's much easier to understand the flow of the author's argument once you make that connection.

[Kelle Craft · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really thoughtful and insightful book. Though now a bit dated, it is still of much use due to the authors’ keen and fresh insight into many difficult questions and topics concerning the Church and Mission(s). Definitely a must read for anyone interested in the topic and/or anyone dealing with Church leadership or entertaining the thought of mission work.

[Brian Kooshian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably one of the best books on missions you will ever read. Rather than using his experience as the basis for what missions should look like, Bavinck directs the readers back to the only proper source for the foundation for missions - the word of God.

This book should be read by anyone who is interested in missions!

[Jonathan · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok. It's dated (originally published 1954). The material was solid, but the translation of the Dutch seemed to be stiff and reminded me of translations of Ridderbos. He included interesting discussions from liberal and modernist ideas of missions. Worth reading assuming there are no other books that deal so methodically with the topic of missions.

[Luke Schmeltzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction to missiology but a bit dated. The landscape of missions and the hot debates in missiology have shifted quite a bit in the last few decades. His sections on bringing the gospel to people as real people with real history and real culture was helpful.

[Grant Carter]

Read for missions class in seminary. Was only assigned the first half of the book, but went ahead and read the whole thing. Glad I did because the second half was better than the first.

[Zack Hudson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shows its age at points. Still, an immensely helpful introductory missiology.

[Timothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found the first section quite engaging and interesting as Bavinck raises many many (natural) questions about practical matters regarding missions and attempts to answer them biblically with wisdom.

[Andrew Gates · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good overview of the Bible and general outlook. Also pretty readable. But wasn't quite as good as the book went on, in my opinion.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 I would recommend.

As I pondered on this book more, I kept wanting to put the rating down to 4/5. The reason why I originally had it at 5/5 (Par excellence) was because it is a one-of-a-kind work. But a one of a kind work does not necessarily merit something as being "above the rest".
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As another reviewer mentioned, this book raises more questions than it answers, which is a good thing. Reading this work feels like stepping into the mind of an intellectual missionary (which J.H. Bavinck certainly was). It is reflective and enriching. I plan to revisit this book after seminary and would recommend it to prospective missionaries.

On the negative side, his section on church history was overly abridged, which felt odd considering the detailed exploration of hypothetical scenarios missionaries might face.

As a highlight, I particularly enjoyed the section on missional ecumenism. Frankly, I see less of this in our time. I’m curious why this has progressively diminished as Western culture has shifted toward post-Christianity. Once again, the book offers more questions than answers.