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The Great Commission: Evangelicals and the History of World Missions
A unique book that focuses exclusively on the history of evangelical cross-cultural missions from the eighteenth century through today,
The Great Commission will interest anyone who is passionate about the spreading of God’s Word.
240 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 25, 2020
Excellent book. I found this an intriguing look at the history of missionary work at different times in history and a modern look at how the Great Commission has played out in Latin America, Africa, and Asia.
The historical look at missionary endeavors during early protestant times as well as the work throughout the colonial times was excellent. I highly recommend this book for students of missions history.
The historical look at missionary endeavors during early protestant times as well as the work throughout the colonial times was excellent. I highly recommend this book for students of missions history.
July 16, 2022
This was a helpful overview of the history of missions since the Reformation.
April 11, 2023
Thought-provoking considerations of modern missions. Read for seminary.
September 5, 2024
Klauber, I. and Manetsch, M. Scott. The Great Commission: Evangelicals and the History of World Missions. Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2008. Pp. 228. Reviewed By Satheesh Kumar Pallithazhe Kunjumon
Critical Reflection
This book The Great Commission: Evangelicals and the History of World Missions is about the collections of essays written by 11/15 different authors of evangelical scholarship. These essays are the papers presented on the theme of the Great Commission in the conference held at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in April 2006. The essays are written from the perspective of the historical survey of evangelical missions. Some of those essays focus on the events that led to globalization of evangelical movements in Asia, Africa and Latin America but not all of them talk about the history of world missions.
Though the essays in this book emphasis on the missions of evangelicals and protestants in cross cultural missions starting from the 16th century, a very little is said about the history of Roman Catholic missions. The book claims to provide a historical overview of the history of world missions, but then it doesn’t cover up the entire six continents in the world like for example, Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, South Africa, and Oceania but discusses only the major regions like Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Three of the nine essays are written exclusively on the theme of The Great Commission that might do justice to the title of the book while others talk much about Protestants and their role in world missions. Mostly the essays are written from an American evangelical perspective.
Fort Worth, Texas, USA.
Critical Reflection
This book The Great Commission: Evangelicals and the History of World Missions is about the collections of essays written by 11/15 different authors of evangelical scholarship. These essays are the papers presented on the theme of the Great Commission in the conference held at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in April 2006. The essays are written from the perspective of the historical survey of evangelical missions. Some of those essays focus on the events that led to globalization of evangelical movements in Asia, Africa and Latin America but not all of them talk about the history of world missions.
Though the essays in this book emphasis on the missions of evangelicals and protestants in cross cultural missions starting from the 16th century, a very little is said about the history of Roman Catholic missions. The book claims to provide a historical overview of the history of world missions, but then it doesn’t cover up the entire six continents in the world like for example, Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, South Africa, and Oceania but discusses only the major regions like Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Three of the nine essays are written exclusively on the theme of The Great Commission that might do justice to the title of the book while others talk much about Protestants and their role in world missions. Mostly the essays are written from an American evangelical perspective.
Fort Worth, Texas, USA.
October 15, 2016
The Great Commission is a collection of articles written by Evangelical authors about the History of World Missions by Evangelicals. As such, it covers the period from the sixteenth century to the present and focuses on missions by evangelical denominations.
Overall it is a pretty good book. Several of the authors overlap in some of their details, which can easily happen in this kind of book.
The best aspect of the book are the three final chapters focusing on Majority World Missions. One chapter (each) is devoted to Latin America, Asia, and Africa and the role of evangelicals from each region in missions. It is wonderful to see World Missions from the Majority World perspective, as the early role of nationals working alongside foreigners is revealed, rather than being glossed over!
The book is also written in honor of John D. Woodbridge.
The book is an accessible introduction to Evangelical World Missions. The 200 or so pages provide enough depth, but not too much, to each author's focal point. Most, if not all, of the chapters present biographical material of missionaries which are not always presented in other History of Christianity type books. So, good stuff! Enjoy!
Overall it is a pretty good book. Several of the authors overlap in some of their details, which can easily happen in this kind of book.
The best aspect of the book are the three final chapters focusing on Majority World Missions. One chapter (each) is devoted to Latin America, Asia, and Africa and the role of evangelicals from each region in missions. It is wonderful to see World Missions from the Majority World perspective, as the early role of nationals working alongside foreigners is revealed, rather than being glossed over!
The book is also written in honor of John D. Woodbridge.
The book is an accessible introduction to Evangelical World Missions. The 200 or so pages provide enough depth, but not too much, to each author's focal point. Most, if not all, of the chapters present biographical material of missionaries which are not always presented in other History of Christianity type books. So, good stuff! Enjoy!
July 25, 2012
This book gives a brief overview of missions in the modern era. It starts with the Puritans and ends with missions from (not to) the third world. There is a large variation between chapters. I felt some were overly detailed on publications and references and could have stood to do more analyzing and summarizing of missions. Other chapters were excellent.
By highlighting majority church missions and through the emphasis given by the sections, this book clearly shows the transition of modern missions from humble European roots to a non-Western world wide movement.
By highlighting majority church missions and through the emphasis given by the sections, this book clearly shows the transition of modern missions from humble European roots to a non-Western world wide movement.
May 1, 2011
Although The Great Commission claims to provide a historical overview of world missions, it does not even cover all six populated continents, and only discusses the "major" (according to the writers of each chapter) movements within the regions which are addressed. Still, it's a well-written basic survey and provides a brief introduction to the history of Christian missions from the time of the Reformation through the early 21st century.
April 28, 2017
Great articles on missions! Loved the conclusion by DA Carson
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews