So much of what is going on here is shaped by the backdrop of the 1910 Edinburgh Missions Conference, convened by John Mott, which really launched the century of Protestant missions all over the world and a great student volunteer missions movement. For that period of history it was probably the most ecumenical Christian gathering ever with gathered guests from all over the world. There was a strong belief that in their generation the whole world would be reached for Christ. Historians have critiqued the event for its strong sense of triumphalism, an over confidence of the certain triumph of their mission.
The theme of this congress is “God in Christ, reconciling the world to himself” - 2 Corinthians 5:19. This congress is most likely the most diverse and ecumenical gathering of Christian leaders ever. I am honored to continue to meet so many luminaries of the faith, men and women from around the world, doing such significant ministry. I wondered if we would have an early sense of triumphalism or if I would get caught up in the optimism of this sort of gathering. Rather I have sensed soberness about the realities of the challenges that face us. I wonder if there is the other effect of seeing the problems as larger than the Lord we follow. In so many previous generations, people have believed that surely the world would be reached for Christ in their generation. I wonder if we will be a generation that is too pessimistic about the power of Jesus to reconcile the world to himself in our generation?
1 comment:
Isn't that the basic paradox of the whole Christian walk? We need confidence and humility, optimism and pessimism. God Almighty yet He also walked around on the Earth and got hungry and tired and frustrated. He tells us all we need to know in scripture and yet the bible is so incredibly hard to understand....
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