The Progress of Missions: Intro
December 16, 2008 – 3:28 pmIn Chapter 12 of For the Sake of His Name, Dr. David Doran tackles the subject of the call of God to missions. In introducing the material on “the call”, he refers to a question posed to Hudson Taylor [see MM's series on Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret] by a Chinese gentleman regarding the progress of missions.
In light of all we have said in this book so far about the obligations and opportunities of world missions, we must being to personalize the issue. To talk about missions in theory is relatively easy and comfortable, but the biblical “theory” of missions cannot truly be discussed without asking the penetrating question, “Why aren’t more believers going?” Sadly, we are not the only ones who have asked this question. During his ministry to China, Hudson Taylor encountered this same question.
A man named Mr. Ni, a cotton merchant and an ex-Buddhist leader, was converted under Hudson Taylor’s ministry. Mr. Ni had spent much of his time and money in service to “the gods,” yet he was not satisfied by the religions he had studied and taught to others. Then passing an open door on the street one evening, he heard a bell being rung and saw people assembling as if for a meeting. Learning that it was a hall for the discussion of religions matters, he too went in. Leading the meeting was a young foreigner dressed in Chinese garb and speaking and reading quite well in the Ning-po dialect. Mr. Ni could make out every word that was read, but [he] did not understand them - what was their meaning?Taylor was teaching about Christ being lifted up like the serpent in the wilderness. Mr. Ni was puzzled and moved by what he heard. Saved, not condemned? A way to find everlasting life? A God who loved the world? The meeting came to a close. The foreign teacher ceased speaking. And with the instinct of one accustomed to lead in such matters, Ni rose in his place, looked at the audience, and said simply:
“I have long sought for the Truth, but without finding it. I have travelled far and near, but have never searched it out. In Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, I have found no rest. But I do find rest in what we have heard tonight. Henceforth I am a believer in Jesus Christ.”
This new believer became an ardent student of the Bible. His rapid spiritual growth served as a great encouragement to the Taylors. He emerged as an aggressive soulwinner and leader among the Chinese. One day, when talking with his missionary friend, Mr. Ni raised the question, “How long have you had the Glad Tidings in your country?”
“Some hundreds of years” Hudson replied. “What? Hundreds of years? My father sought the Truth,” he continued sadly “and died without finding it. Oh why did you not come sooner?”
This is a probing and penetrating question that demands an answer. Why is it that we in the West have so long enjoyed the blessings of the gospel while there are billions who are lost in darkness and sin?
Having surfaced one of the key questions regarding the progress of missions - why have some enjoyed the Light while many remain in darkness? - the next two posts will offer Doran’s response, which takes a look at the two perspectives that the Bible presents: 1) The God-ward Perspective and 2) The Man-ward Perspective.
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