Challenging Western Christians and Their Neighbours

“Dr. Steven Paas, a former missionary to Malawi, succinctly presents a brilliant missiology for Western Christians, many of whom are locked up in a neo-colonialistic concept of missions. Paas shows that any kind of superiority thinking damages the missiological essence of the church, and the biblical impact on mission. He encourages Western Christians and their neighbors of other (non-)religious and cultural backgrounds to be obedient to Jesus’ Great Commission.”


—Willem-Henri den Hartog, Coordinator, GZB, southern Africa; pastor, Church of Central Africa Presbyterian, Malawi





“Steven Paas has won his spurs in the fields of mission and evangelism. As a theologian and as a thoroughbred missionary and evangelist, he knows what he is talking about. He discusses serious theoretical and practical missiological questions, for example regarding the themes of election and general reconciliation. What obstacles hinder us to engage in the practice of mission and evangelism? What do the Scriptures say about these matters? Firmly, Paas points out an accessible way. He offers biblical reflection and encourages to further study.”


—Jan van ’t Spijker, Assistant Professor of Missiology and Evangelism, Theological University Apeldoorn, The Netherlands





“Steven Paas provides wise reflections on Christian mission drawn from decades of mission and evangelism experience. He guides the reader through the biblical foundation for missions, objections to missions, and how to overcome individual and corporate obstacles to effectively sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with non-Christians. Highly recommended.”


—Alexander E. Stewart, Academic Dean and Associate Professor of New Testament, Tyndale Theological Seminary, The Netherlands





“God has called the church of Christ to be his servant in the missio Dei. Once Christians have realized that the tri-une God himself is the driving power of this missionary movement in the world, they can never again have a narrow view of the church. Such an understanding changes the concepts of pastoral care, diaconate, catechetical instruction, preaching and—even—of the budget of the congregation. I am warning those who prefer to close their eyes to the outside world and retreat to their own familiar congregational or denominational corner. This book will disquiet them.”


—Peter L. D. Visser, missionary pastor and consultant