Birmingham Theological Seminary

Semester: Fall 2021 Course: MS6631 Biblical Theology of

Missions
Day and Time: Mondays, 7:30-9:00 PM Room: A202
Professor: Dr. Ben Birdsong Credits: 2
Email: ben@benbirdsong.com Phone: (205) 907-6623

COURSE DESCRIPTION

A study of God’s purpose and activity in seeing the Great Commission in the Old Testament as
revealed through Israel’s responsibility to the nations and a consideration of the mandates
entrusted to the Church in the New Testament.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

This course is an overview of the biblical foundation for Christian mission designed to help
students to understand the story of the mission of God from the Old and New Testaments,
explain the theology of Christian mission, and apply God’s heart for the nations to their hearts
and ministries.

Upon the successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Exegete the missional vision of the Bible through the Old and New Testaments.
• Describe the importance of missions in the life of the Christian and the local church.
• Incorporate the mission of God into their lives and congregations.
• Understand current issues in missions and the theological and practical tensions of the
missionary task.

COURSE TEXTS

Required Texts:

Kaiser, Walter C. Mission in the Old Testament: Israel as a Light to the Nations. Grand
Rapids: Baker Academic, 2012.

Piper, John. Let the Nations Be Glad!: The Supremacy of God in Missions. Grand Rapids:
Baker Academic, 2003.

Tennent, Timothy C. How God Saves the World. Franklin: Seedbed Publishing, 2017.
 Wright, Christopher J. H. The Mission of God: Unlocking the Bible’s Grand Narrative.
Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2006.

Wright, Christopher J. H. The Mission of God: Unlocking the Bible’s Grand Narrative.
Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2006.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

In preparation for class discussion, reading assignments should be completed before the class
that they are noted on the syllabus.

All papers should be submitted by email to the professor (ben@benbirdsong.com) by the end of
class on the date they are due.

Personal Missional Development Paper will be a 500-1,000-word personal reflection paper on

the student’s own personal faith journey with regard to missions and how your perspective on
missions has been developed. The paper should explain your growth in understanding the
mission of God, your experiences in serving others on missions, and why missions should be
important to Christians and the local church. This paper will be discussed with the class on the
second class meeting and will be submitted to the professor at the conclusion of the second class.

Mission Video Lecture Responses will be a single page response to the video lectures assigned
in the syllabus. For each lecture, respond by answering the following questions:

• How did the lecture increase your understanding of missions?

• Do you think the lecture was effective in communicating both the priority of missions and a
passion for missions?
• What ideas in the lecture should be communicated to your congregation to further their
understanding of biblical mission?

Missional Sermon dates will be assigned on the second class meeting. For the assigned class
period, students will present a 10-15 minute message on an Old Testament passage connecting it
to missions and the mission of God. Passages will be chosen by the student and submitted to the
professor the week prior to the presentation. Since we will only have one sermon per passage,
students who submit passages selections first will be given priority.

Missions Research Paper will be a 10-to-12-page paper with at least seven different sources.
Students can choose from the following topics or propose another missions topic to the professor
for approval:

• Develop a theology of the kingdom of God through Scripture and describe how the kingdom of
God relates to missions.
• Develop a theology of discipleship and conversion throughout Scripture and describe how
discipleship and conversion should affect the task of missions.
• Define the meaning of “all nations” in the Great Commission, and its impact on the missionary
task.
• Describe how God’s glory and compassion for people relate to the doctrine of election and the
indiscriminate preaching of the Gospel. Paper must address the practical implications for the
task of missions.
• Select a missionary from Christian history and evaluate their theology and approach to mission
in contrast with a biblical view of missions.
• Select a denominational missions organization and evaluate their theology and approach to
mission in contrast with a biblical view of missions.

Biblical Theology of Mission Paper will be a final summation paper for the class and will be 5-
6 pages. The paper should describe how a local church and you personally should interact with
missions and include the following:

• An overview of the biblical foundation for missions.

• An analysis of the purpose and goals for missions.
• A plan with implementation for the methodology and practice of missions in the context of the
local church.
• The relationship between the theology presented and your personal calling to ministry.

GRADING WEIGHT & COMMENTS

COURSE REQUIREMENT GRADE COMMENTS

Personal Missional Development Paper
Mission Video Lecture Responses
Missional Sermon
Missions Research Paper
Biblical Theology of Mission Paper
WEIGHT
10% of Grade
15% of Grade Response papers will be due to
the professor via email the
class meeting following the
video.
20% of Grade Presentation dates will be
assigned by the professor the
second night of class.
Students must select a passage
and communicate the selection
to the professor at least a week
prior to presentations.
Passages are on a first come
basis.
30% of Grade
25% of Grade

COURSE SCHEDULE
DAY DATE AGENDA/TOPIC DUE ON THIS DAY/DATE
Monday 9/13 Syllabus Review Reading Texts:
Introduction to Missions Bible, Genesis 1-11
Genesis and God’s Mission Kaiser, Introduction and Chapter 1
Wright, Chapters 1-2
Monday 9/20 The Call of Abraham and the Role Personal Missional Development
of the Covenants in God’s Mission Paper
Worship and Missions Reading Texts:
Bible: Genesis 12, Genesis 19,
Leviticus 26, Numbers 23,
Deuteronomy 27-32
Kaiser, Chapter 2
Piper, Chapter 1
Wright, Chapters 3, 6-8
Monday 9/27 Mission Video Lecture: “The We will not be meeting for in
Biblical Basis for Missions- Don person class. Please watch the
Carson” lecture and write a response to be
(https://www.youtube.com/watch submitted the following class
?v=axjVw_xsSPw) meeting.
Monday 10/4 Missional Themes in the Times of Reading Texts:
the Kings and Old Testament Bible: Joshua 2, Joshua 4, 1 Samuel
Wisdom Literature 17, 2 Samuel 7, Psalm 67, Psalm
Missions and Prayer 96, Psalm 117
Kaiser, Chapters 3-4
Piper, Chapter 2
Wright, Chapters 9-10
Monday 10/11 Fall Break- No Class
Monday 10/18 Mission Video Lecture: “Divine We will not be meeting for in
Sovereignty: The Fuel for Death person class. Please watch the
Defying Missions- David Platt” lecture and write a response to be
(https://www.youtube.com/watch submitted the following class
?v=InkNcMnsfv8) meeting.
Monday 10/25 Old Testament Prophets on Reading Texts:
Mission Bible: Genesis 18, Exodus 19,
Missions and Suffering Deuteronomy 4, Psalm 47, Psalm
67, Jonah
Kaiser, Chapters 5-7
Piper, Chapter 3
Wright, Chapter 5, 11, 14
Monday 11/1 Mission Video Lecture: “Paul We will not be meeting for in
Washer- Biblical Missions” person class. Please watch the
(https://www.youtube.com/watch lecture and write a response to be
?v=fPYDv3v7Gho) submitted the following class
meeting.
 DAY DATE AGENDA/TOPIC DUE ON THIS DAY/DATE
Monday 11/8 Jesus as a Missionary Research Paper Due
Missions and Saving Faith Reading Texts:
Bible: John 1
Piper, Chapter 4
Wright, Chapter 4
Monday 11/15 The Great Commission and Reading Texts:
Missionary Mandate Bible: Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke
Missions and the Nations 24, John 20, Acts 1
Piper, Chapter 5
Wright, Chapter 12-13
Monday 11/22 Early Church on Mission Reading Texts:
Edwards as a Missionary Bible: Isaiah 66, Acts 9, Romans 15
Kaiser, Chapter 8
Piper, Chapter 6
Wright, Chapter 15
Monday 11/29 Missions History Overview Biblical Theology of Mission
Missions and Global Worship Paper Due
Reading Texts:
Piper, Chapter 8 and Conclusion
Tennet, Entire Book

BTS FORMAT, STYLE, AND WRITING STANDARDS

BTS has adopted Turabian as the standard form and style for writing formal papers. Professors
retain discretion in determining how “formal” a paper must be. Students should reference Kate
th
Turabian’s A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 9 Edition and
a Turabian Supplement is available through the seminary. Students should also refer to the
Student Handbook on academic integrity/plagiarism. Below is a Paper Grading Rubric for formal
papers:

A to A- B to B- C to C- D to D-
Correct spelling and Minor errors in Many errors in Difficult to read due
grammar/punctuation spelling or spelling or to English writing
grammar/punctuation grammar/punctuation errors

Smooth writing that Writing is acceptable, Writing is not smooth, Writing lacks clarity,
provides for effective but not as organized sometimes confusing focus, structure, and is
and efficient reading and coherent and inconsistent incoherent
 A to A- B to B- C to C- D to D-
Person and format are Person and format are Person and format are Person and format are
proper for assignment inconsistent not appropriate totally inappropriate

Scripture, Scripture, Scripture, Scripture,

paraphrases, quotes, paraphrases, quotes, paraphrases, quotes, paraphrases, quotes,
and summaries are and summaries are and summaries are and summaries are
appropriately used, appropriate but need inadequate for main improperly used, over
cited, and clearly more depth and use of argument and do not used, under used, or
supports main critical thinking reflect understanding cited in error
argument

Paper completely Paper generally Paper somewhat Paper does not

conforms to conforms to conforms to conform to Turabian’s
Turabian’s Manual Turabian’s Manual Turabian’s Manual Manual for Writers
for Writers for Writers for Writers

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Students are expected to demonstrate punctuality and attend all class sessions. Any absences
should be communicated to the professor and/or seminary office prior to the absence. In the
absence of professor approval, a student will be permitted two absences per semester in a course.
Tardiness may be recorded and three unexcused tardies will be counted as one unexcused
absence.

Unexcused absences and tardies exceeding the allowance may result in the student being
dropped from the course with an “F” grade.

CLASS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Electronic devices are allowed, but they should only be used for course purposes.
All papers and written assignments must be submitted via email by 11:59 PM on the due date.
Late assignments will incur a -3 point deduction per day after the due date, except in cases of
emergency communicated to the professor.

ANNOTATED SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Ahrend, Todd. The Abrahamic Revolution: God’s Mission in Motion. Colorado Springs: Book
Villages, 2011. Ahrend builds a modern-day theology of missions based on Abraham’s
call to be a blessing to the nations.

Goheen, Michael W. Introducing Christian Mission Today: Scripture, History, and Issues.
Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2014. Combining both a theology of mission with
current day missions issues, this volume is an important and helpful work.
Kaiser, Walter C. Mission in the Old Testament: Israel as a Light to the Nations. Grand Rapids:
Baker Academic, 2012. Kaiser traces the theme of mission throughout the Old Testament
narrative and connects the Old Testament view of missions to Paul’s conversion
experience on the Road to Damascus.

Moreau, A. Scott, Gary R. Corwin, and Gary B. McGee. Introducing World Missions: A
Biblical,
Historical, and Practical Survey. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2004. This
introduction to world missions combines a biblical foundation for missions with a history
of missions and approaching missions today.

Piper, John. Let the Nations Be Glad!: The Supremacy of God in Missions. Grand Rapids: Baker
Academic, 2003. An important work focusing on the godward focus of missions and the
importance of missions in the global worship of God.

Tennent, Timothy C. How God Saves the World. Franklin: Seedbed Publishing, 2017. This is a
brief overview of the history of missional development from the times of the apostles to
the present.

Tennent, Timothy C. Theology in the Context of World Christianity: How the Global Church Is
Influencing the Way We Think About and Discuss Theology. Grand Rapids: Zondervan,
2007. A primer of different aspects of theology and how the global church influences the
thinking on these theological topics.

Winter, Ralph D. And Steven C. Hawthorne, eds. Perspectives on the World Christian
Movement: A Reader. Pasadena: William Carey Library, 2009. A collection of readings
for the Perspectives class on world Christianity.

Wright, Christopher J. H. The Mission of God: Unlocking the Bible’s Grand Narrative. Downers
Grove: IVP Academic, 2006. Wright presents the mission of God as the major theme in
scripture and traces its development through the Old and New Testaments.

Wright, Christopher J. H. The Mission of God’s People: A Biblical Theology of the Church’s
Mission. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010. Wright frames Christian mission around the
purpose for which we were made in this introductory volume to God’s missional heart in
the Bible.

STUDENT SIGNATURE

Your signature below indicates that you have read this syllabus, understand it, and willing accept
the requirements and responsibilities for successfully complete this course.

Student Signature: __________________________ Date: ________