History Of Mission GLST Comparison Essay
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Medicine
Date
Dec 6, 2023
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Tracey A. Coleman
GLST200: D01
Evangelism, Education, and Medicine and Protestant Advance in
Perspectives on the
World Christian Movement: A Reader,
were two articles from this week's readings I chose to
compare, contrast, and apply the ideas to a current world event in Africa that introduces the
development of “Afrilabs.” The articles contained ideals that are critical to mission work.
Evangelism Education, and Medicine were described as three areas of great importance to
mission work in the 19
th
century and would be used strategically to advance the church, spread
the gospel, and subsequently provide opportunities for women to advance in the field of medical
services. The Protestant advance which also became momentous in the 19
th
century would place
great importance on the education of its people, especially in the area of languages and medical
work.
The three-tier strategy would prove to be a catalyst for even greater evangelistic
opportunities in the 19
th-
and 20
th
centuries.
One similarity in both articles was a three-tier strategy which according to author Pierce
Beaver in “
The History of Mission Strategy
,” “mission strategy of the 19
th
century (until
Edinburgh 1910) aimed at individual conversions, church planting, and social transformation
through three main types of action: evangelism, education, and medicine.”
1
In the area of
evangelism and missions, both articles mentioned missionary work starting in the 19
th
century.
According to the author
Scott W. Sunquist in
“Asian Christianity: Facing the Rising
Sun,”
The
work did not become a significant movement, however, until the first decades of the 19th
century.”
2
Missionary work was a way to spread the gospel through preaching, and Bible
1
R. Pierce Beaver, “The History of Mission Strategy,” in
Perspectives on the World Christian Movement:
A Reader,
4th ed., ed. Ralph D. Winter and Steven C. Hawthorne (Pasadena, CA: William Carey Library, 2009), 236,
Logos Bible Software.
2
distribution, to grow the church economically and spiritually as well as take care of the medical
needs of families that were encountered.
As it relates to education,
Proverbs 4:7 says, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore,
get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding” (Proverbs 4:7, King James Version).
Within the two articles, there were strong similarities as well as major contrasting ideals. Both
articles discussed the priorities placed on education, with an emphasis on the learning of multiple
languages, the extent of the education system, what will be taught, and to whom. In the article
Evangelism, Education, and Medicine
, author Pierce Beaver stated, “By the end of the 19
th
century a vast educational system existed in Asia, ranging from kindergarten to college,
including medical and theological schools.”
3
In contrast with the concept of a broad educational
system according to author Scott W. Sunquist, “One of the major tensions in Protestant
missionary work in Asia was whether Asians needed Western knowledge and culture, or only the
Bible and very basic education.”
4
Although both articles relate to education in Asia, both
indicated ways of teaching that were different within the cultures and customs of the Orient and
Protestants.
The articles revealed similar and contrasting beliefs about the importance of education,
evangelism, as well as medicine within the two cultures. Author Pierce Beaver explains,
“Medical services became a major branch of mission work. It was not until the middle of the
20th century that missions realized that health services in the name of Christ are in themselves a
Scott W. Sunquist, “Asian Christianity: Facing the Rising Sun,” in
Perspectives on the World Christian
Movement: A Reader,
4th ed., Ralph D. Winter and Steven C. Hawthorne (Pasadena, CA: William Carey Library,
2009), 242, Logos Bible Software.
3
Pierce,
The History of Mission Strategy,
236.
4
Sunquist
, Asian Christianity: Facing the Rising Sun
, 242.
dramatic form of gospel proclamation.”
5
In comparison, according to
Sunquist, “Protestants in
Asia also began pioneering advances in medical work. They introduced the earliest forms of
inoculation, surgery, and leprosariums.” In essence, the missionary doctors would be equipped
with, the gospel, medicine, and the prayer of faith. James 5:14 says “Is any sick among you? Let
him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the
name of the Lord” (James 5:14).
6
The introduction of medical work within the two cultures
proved to be beneficial to the work of missions, healing, and the spreading of the gospel.
Additionally, the article
Evangelism, Education, and Medicine
discussed the education,
liberation, and uplifting of women in the areas of mission and their great achievements in
medical work and educating children. While in the
Protestant Advance
Article, there was no
direct mention of the advancement of women but of the church as a whole.
Another significant
contrast was the difference in principles
Evangelism, Education, and Medicine
described a sense
of community in the approach to reaching people while the
Protestant Advance
described “three
self-principles (self-support, self-governance, and self-propagation).”
7
Community is an
important focus in evangelism, education, and healing. These principles should not be neglected
as the objective should be to serve all of God’s people selflessly.
The concepts of education, evangelism, and medicine can be applied to the current event
of the development of “Afrilabs” in Africa. In the article “
How Afrilabs is Powering Africa’s
Tech Revolution Through Community.”
Oswald Osaretin Guobadia describes himself as a
“digital evangelist.” The article goes on to state, “For over a decade, AfriLabs has been at the
5
Pierce,
The History of Mission Strategy
, 236.
6
Sunquist,
Asian Christianity: Facing the Rising Sun
, 242.
7
Ibid., 242.
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forefront of cultivating a vibrant tech ecosystem across the African continent.”
8
By way of this
digital platform, evangelism can thrive and reach more people than ever before. People from
different eras, cultures, age groups, genders, and backgrounds have access to valuable
information. The Gospel of Jesus Christ, medical information, and a wealth of educational and
economic opportunities are available within this digital era of mission.
The concepts of
evangelism, education, and medicine can be applied to the current event in Africa through
“AfriLabs” and through all means that are available for the work of God and for the continuation
of His mission to help, serve, and reach those who are lost.
In conclusion in the 19
th
and 20th centuries, the strategy of a three-tier formula was
introduced to transform society through the teaching of Christian principles, and the practice of
service, serving one another, healing, and the sharing of God’s word. To this day through
Evangelism, Education, Medicine, Protestant Advance, and the development of “Afrilabs” there
has been no pause in God’s mission to spread the gospel, educate, and heal his people. From the
first mission and mandate from God to Abraham to “go” the digital age has become another way
to apply the concepts and carry on God’s mission and proves what Mathew 24:35 says regarding
His Word “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Mathew
24:35).
Word Count 910
8
Stephanie Busari, Connecting Africa, “
How Afrilabs is Powering Africa’s Tech Revolution Through
Community
,” November 10, 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/10/africa/how-afrilabs-is-powering-africas-tech-
revolution-through-community/index.html.