40 Questions About the Great Commission

40 Questions

by Daniel L. Akin, Benjamin Merkle, George Robinson

Jesus' Great Commission is one of the key pillars of the church's evangelistic work and has been the guiding principle for missionaries throughout church history. In 40 Questions about the Great Commission, scholars Daniel Akin, Benjamin Merkle, and George Robinson unpack the meaning, history, theology, and practical applications of Jesus' command to go and make disciples. Ideal for personal or group study, this volume will reignite your passion for evangelism while answering key questions like:

Where do we stand in relation to fulfilling the Great Commission? How do baptism and teaching relate to the Great Commission? What is the meaning of "I am with you always, to the end of the age"? How does the Old Testament relate to the Great Commission? What is the special contribution of each Gospel's version of the Great Commission? What is the responsibility of the local church to the Great Commission? What are some mobilization resources that can help churches and individuals to become Great Commission focused? Other highlights include an overview of some of the great evangelists and missionaries in church history, and a collection of notable quotations on the Great Commission, ideal for teaching and preaching.

"40 Questions About the Great Commission is an indispensable text for any pastor, professor, or student who cares about the Christian mission. In it, a biblical scholar, missiologist, and seminary president join forces to answer every question you've ever asked--or never asked--about our Lord's parting commission to his disciples. Substantive, lucid, and compelling." --Bruce Ashford, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

"The church has one job. It is called the Great Commission. Every Christian soldier should know the who, the what, the why, and the where of the marching orders left by our Lord and Commander-in-Chief, and this book does just that in an engaging and encouraging way. Read it and then get on with it!" --James Merritt, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

"This book is a succinct and at the same time wide-ranging exposition of the commission of Jesus given to the disciples and thus to the church to proclaim the gospel far and wide. The authors elucidate the meaning of key passages in Scripture and thus present the geographical scope, the theological content, and important historical parameters of the mission of the church. This book deserves to be read by every Christian believer committed to the glory of God in all the world and to the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ." --Eckhard J. Schnabel, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

Genres: Discipleship, Evangelism

360 pages, Paperback

Published January 28, 2020

Reviews

[David Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the most helpful parts of this book was the fact that the command to “go” in “go and make disciples” should not be read as “as you are going” but takes on the imperatival force of the imperative verb “make”.

[C.J. Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good, even if repetitive at times (which is somewhat expected when you write a nearly 350-page book on one text).

Akin's section was the easiest to get through, though it had some chapters that could've been excluded (e.g., two were made up entirely of quotes).

Merkle's section is likely the most beneficial, as he shows why sound hermeneutics and theological method are so important to missions.

Robinson's section was good, but I was hoping he would spend much more time discussing various methodologies being practiced on the field today and how they stem from various (and perhaps, misleading and underdeveloped) interpretations of the Great Commission. He mentions movements (e.g., church planting movements) and notes that he advocates for them, though he doesn't actually defend them or answer arguments against them. He did have many practical helps for pastors and local churches on "this side" of the world preparing to send to "other sides" of the world.

[Brett Brandewie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Akin, Merkle, and Robinson's scholarship on the Great Commission is both exegetically sound and practically helpful. 40 Questions About the Great Commission is accessible to a broad audience (pastors, professors, students, and church laity), and the book unpacks the history, theology, hermeneutical, and practical applications of Christ's command for every Christian to go and make disciples of all nations. The 40 questions that are answered not only point the reader to a greater understanding of the Great Commission, but also compel the reader to obey Christ's command to make disciples. Thus, 40 Questions About the Great Commission combines the best of history, commentary, and practical theology in one resource that you will want to read from cover-to-cover and continually revisit as you seek to make disciples who make disciples.

[Clinton Crumley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here’s the thing: it actually a good book with good information. My issue with it is what the authors felt like questions for the Great Commission didn’t seem to match up. It felt fairly random and what was of value to the respective writer. It felt a bit of a mess and very distracting.

While I feel this way, the information is actually very useful and is helpful to the church and the curious.

[Don Hollis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! Lots to think about.

[William Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The portions I read were helpful and I enjoyed the insight it provided.