Commissional Living
by Suzanne Hadley Gosselin on 02/12/2008 at 4:55 PM
If you've ever thought about taking a theology course, just read "Missional Discipleship: Reinterpreting the Great Commission" by Jonathan Dodson. It's the equivalent of a good class.
Dodson considers the Great Commission in the context of the versions of the commission found in each of the four gospels. He writes:
In evangelical subculture the ubiquity of the Great Commission is matched by the poverty of its interpretation. Matthew 28:18-20 — the command to make disciples of all nations — is frequently summoned to validate countless and sundry discipleship and evangelism programs, ideas and practices, often ignoring the interpretive wealth of the text. It's as if we expect that planting the Great Commission flag at end of a sentence will immediately summit our discipleship agendas.
I appreciate Dodson's observation about the Luke commission:
In particular, we are called to preach "repentance and forgiveness of sins." A social gospel will not suffice. Christ calls us to repent — to turn our heart allegiances away from all things other, and to receive forgiveness for betraying our Creator. But a forgiven and repentant person is not idle; they are compelled to witness — to tell the story of their transformation.
Where Matthew and Mark respectively emphasize distinctive discipleship and preaching a worldly gospel, Luke calls us to witness — to tell our distinct gospel stories. No two stories are alike, but all share the same Savior.
Dodson lays out good evidence for the Great Commission being much more than a motto verse for evangelism programs. It's about committing to "preach the gospel" with your life. This past week I had the opportunity to "preach" the gospel to my fifth grade Sunday school class. But I think the evidence of true commissional impact was found in 11-year-old Austin's comment: "You're here every week," he said, pondering the rotation of teachers. "I have noticed that."
1. John D. said the following at 8:37 AM on Feb 13:
Even though I have read the featured passages from the gospels on many occasions, I never thought of them as commissions in the same sense as the Great Commission.
There is a lot of practical truth in Mr. Dodson's excellent article.
2. brx said the following at 11:22 PM on Feb 19:
I found Dodson's article a little difficult mostly because I had a hard time seeing the separation or differences in the 'commissions' that he suggests. I don't disagree that we should be doing those things but I also don't see them as very separate.
Dodson also wrote "...called to preach "repentance and forgiveness of sins." A social gospel will not suffice." And as I listend to a pastor's observations about Jesus healing and on Luke 19 where Zacchaeus has an encounter, this pastor pointed out that Jesus gave acceptance, and love first -- before repentance came. It made me think about how many church people (at times, myself included) often demand others' repentance before we are willing to associate with and love on them.
Gace, peace & adventure.
3. Jonathan Dodson said the following at 6:43 AM on Feb 23:
Thank you for your kind endorsement, Suzanne. Too bad it didnt stir up more interaction on the Line.
Brx, your comment points out, in my view, the strength of reading the commissions together. They all reinforce gospel contextualization, social justice, and creation care from slightly different angles: Matthew (discipleship), Mark (gospel), Luke (resurrection), and John (incarnation). There are theological proofs for whole gospel living throughout the Bible, even in the traditional "evangelistic" texts!
Thanks for reading and interacting.