A missional reading of the Bible fundamentally reorients how one engages with Scripture, centering on the idea that the Bible is not just a collection of religious texts but a dynamic narrative of God’s mission to the world. This approach emphasizes that God’s intention is to redeem and restore all of creation through His mission, which is revealed and unfolds throughout the pages of both the Old and New Testaments. Understanding the Bible missionally involves interpreting it through the lens of God’s redemptive plan, which spans across all history and reaches all nations, tribes, and people. By doing so, believers are called to actively participate in this ongoing mission, transforming their understanding of Scripture into a life of discipleship, justice, and cultural engagement. A missional reading of the Bible includes the following ten approaches:
1. Adopt a Missional Framework
A missional approach places God’s mission at the center of biblical interpretation, viewing the Bible as a cohesive narrative that reveals God’s redemptive plan for all of humanity and the entire creation. The Bible is not merely a collection of historical events, moral teachings, or religious laws; it is a divine revelation that progressively unfolds God’s mission to reconcile the world to Himself. This understanding is rooted in passages such as 2 Corinthians 5:19, which states, “God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” This verse underscores the missional nature of God’s work in the world and the role of believers in carrying forward this mission of reconciliation.
2. Emphasize a Global Perspective
A missional interpretation emphasizes the global scope of God’s mission, recognizing that God’s redemptive plan is inclusive of all nations, tribes, and peoples. This global perspective is evident in God’s promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:3, where God declares, “All peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” This promise, reiterated throughout Scripture and culminating in the vision of Revelation 7:9—where “a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb”—illustrates the universal reach of God’s mission. This perspective challenges readers to transcend cultural and geographical boundaries in their understanding of Scripture and to participate in God’s global mission.
3. Recognize the Historical Redemptive Lens
Missional interpretation employs a historical-redemptive lens, recognizing the unfolding of God’s mission throughout history. This approach emphasizes the continuity of God’s redemptive plan from the Old Testament to the New Testament, seeing the latter as a fulfillment and expansion of the former. For instance, in Luke 24:27, Jesus “beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” This verse highlights how the entire biblical narrative, from Genesis to Revelation, points to Jesus Christ and His redemptive work. The historical-redemptive lens helps readers understand the progressive revelation of God’s mission and how it culminates in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
4. Interpret with a Missional Hermeneutic
A missional hermeneutic focuses on interpreting the Bible with an awareness of its missional message, seeking to understand how each passage contributes to the broader mission of God. This approach encourages readers to identify missional themes, purposes, and implications within the text. For example, in John 20:21, Jesus says, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” This statement captures the essence of a missional hermeneutic, where the understanding of Scripture is not just academic but is directly tied to the believer’s calling to participate in God’s mission. By reading the Bible with a missional lens, believers can discern how the text speaks to their role in advancing God’s mission in the world.
5. Focus on the Kingdom of God
A missional approach highlights the central theme of the Kingdom of God, which is a key component of God’s mission. The Kingdom of God represents the reign and rule of God over all creation, and Jesus’ proclamation of the Kingdom is a central aspect of His ministry. In Matthew 6:33, Jesus instructs, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” This verse emphasizes the priority of the Kingdom of God in the life of a believer and underscores the missional nature of seeking to advance God’s rule on earth. A missional approach to the Bible calls believers to align their lives with the values of the Kingdom and to actively participate in its advancement through word and deed.
6. Foster Discipleship and Missional Living
Missional interpretation emphasizes the call to discipleship and missional living, encouraging believers to not only understand the Bible intellectually but to apply its principles in their daily lives. This includes actively engaging in mission work, making disciples, and participating in God’s redemptive plan. In Matthew 28:19-20, known as the Great Commission, Jesus commands, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” This passage is a direct call to missional living, where believers are sent out to disciple others and expand God’s mission throughout the world.
7. Strategize Cultural Engagement
A missional approach acknowledges the need for cultural engagement, recognizing that mission work occurs within various cultural contexts and that the interpretation of Scripture should consider these contexts. This approach encourages believers to adapt their missional strategies to effectively communicate the Gospel in diverse settings. The Apostle Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 9:22, “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some,” exemplify this approach. Paul’s flexibility in engaging with different cultures for the sake of the Gospel highlights the importance of understanding and interacting with various cultural contexts in the mission of God.
8. Highlight Ethical and Justice Imperatives
Missional interpretation places a strong emphasis on ethics and justice, highlighting the biblical call to seek justice, care for the marginalized, and address social issues. This focus is rooted in passages like Micah 6:8, which states, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” This verse encapsulates the ethical and justice imperatives of the Bible, urging believers to align their lives with God’s heart for justice as a core aspect of His mission. A missional approach challenges readers to not only advocate for justice but to embody it in their personal and communal lives.
9. Demonstrate Missional Community
A missional approach promotes the concept of the missional community, emphasizing that the Church is called to be a living demonstration of God’s mission. This involves believers working together as a community to demonstrate God’s love, unity, and transformative power to the world. In Acts 2:42-47, the early church is described as a community devoted to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer, sharing everything in common and witnessing to the surrounding community through their unity and love. This passage illustrates the power of a missional community to be a tangible expression of God’s mission, drawing others into the transformative work of Christ.
10. Underscore Salvation and Transformation
Missional interpretation underscores the themes of salvation and transformation, recognizing that the Bible reveals God’s desire to save and transform individuals and communities. This approach encourages believers to participate in God’s mission by sharing the message of salvation and facilitating spiritual and societal transformation. Romans 12:2 instructs, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This transformation is not only personal but also extends to the transformation of communities and societies, as believers live out the implications of the Gospel in every aspect of life. A missional approach calls believers to be agents of this transformation, working towards the realization of God’s redemptive purposes in the world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a missional approach to interpreting the Old and New Testaments offers a transformative way of understanding and living out the Bible. By placing God’s mission at the center, recognizing the global scope of Scripture, employing a historical-redemptive lens, and emphasizing the practical application of biblical principles, believers are called to actively engage in God’s mission. This approach challenges the reader to transcend cultural boundaries, embrace justice, and live out the values of the Kingdom of God. It ultimately transforms the way we view Scripture, urging us to move beyond mere interpretation and into a life of discipleship, cultural engagement, and missional living, all aimed at advancing God’s redemptive work in the world.
Dr. Curt Watke is a distinguished missiologist whose three-plus-decade-long career has significantly impacted Christian mission work in North America, particularly in under-reached and challenging regions. Holding a Ph.D. in Evangelism and Missions, Dr. Watke has focused on bridging cultural gaps and fostering sustainable Christian communities by developing innovative strategies that address contemporary challenges like globalization, urbanization, and religious pluralism. His emphasis on cultural sensitivity and contextualization in mission work is reflected in his collaborative writings, including notable works such as “Ministry Context Exploration: Understanding North American Cultures” and “Starting Reproducing Congregations.” Beyond his writing, Dr. Watke is a sought-after speaker and educator, lecturing at seminaries and conferences worldwide, and his teachings continue to inspire and equip new generations of missional leaders. His enduring legacy is marked by unwavering dedication to the mission of God and a profound influence on missional thought and practice. Dr. Watke serves as President and Professor of Evangelism & Missiology at Missional University.
