Mission in the Early Church: Themes and Reflections

How did Christian missions happen in the early church from AD 100 to 750? Beginning with a brief look at the social political cultural and religious contexts Mission in the Early Church tells the story of early Christian missionaries their methods and their missiology. This book explores some of the most prominent themes of mission in early Christianity including suffering evangelism Bible translation contextualization ministry in Word and deed and the church. Based on this survey modern readers are invited to a conversation that considers how early Christian mission might inform global mission thought and practice today. Edward Smither not only offers a much-needed corrective by covering a characteristic so integral to church but he does it by balancing thorough scholarship with readability and contemporary relevance. Smither does not limit his narrative to expansion of Christianity in the West alone but provides a global perspective on early church history a la Andrew Walls. --Allen Yeh Associate Professor of Intercultural Studies and Missiology Biola Universitys Cook School of Intercultural Studies California Too many Christians suppose evangelism began when modern Westerners decided to bring the gospel to the ignorant masses of the worlds darkest continents. As both a missiologist and ancient church scholar Edward Smither is perfectly positioned to recover the truth that missions began in the New Testament and never stopped expanding during the churchs earliest centuries. Writing with easy-to-read clarity and an experts mastery Smither tells a forgotten story that no Christian should miss! --Bryan Litfin Professor of Theology Moody Bible Institute Illinois Smither in Mission in the Early Church has filled an important gap in historical mission studies by surveying the vibrant mission practice of the early church. Smithers insights into the way the whole church was mobilized for mission has profound implications for us today. The sheer variety of how this mighty stream of lay witnesses bore witness to Christ is nothing short of breathtaking! Its an enjoyable and informative journey--I recommend it. --Timothy C. Tennent Professor of World Christianity Asbury Theological Seminary Kentucky Mission in the Early Church is the book of choice for readers seeking a concise introduction to this oft-overlooked era of mission history. Smither thematically summarizes a vast array of sources to provide an overview of the early spread of the Christian faith. Sidebars and discussion questions connect the ancient story with our story on mission with God today. --Craig Ott Professor of Mission and Intercultural Studies Trinity Evangelical Divinity School Illinois Edward L. Smither is Associate Professor of Intercultural Studies at Columbia International University in Columbia South Carolina. He is the author of Augustine as Mentor (2008) and Brazilian Evangelical Missions in the Arab World (Cascade Books 2012).