Walter Kaiser questions the notion that the New Testament represents a deviation from God's supposed intention to save only the Israelites. He argues that--contrary to popular opinion--the older Testament does not reinforce an exclusive redemptive plan. Instead, it emphasizes a common human condition and God's original and continuing concern for all humanity. Kaiser shows that the Israelites' mission was always to actively spread to gentiles the Good News of the promised Messiah. This new edition adds two new chapters, freshens material throughout, expands the bibliography, and includes study questions.

NO OF PAGES: 99 SUB CAT I: Evangelism SUB CAT II: Tanach SUB CAT III: DESCRIPTION: Mission is the subject matter of this book. For most people, a study of the mission of the church turns first to Jesus and the Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20. Kaiser, an Old Testament scholar, explores the idea that the divine mission to the world did not begin with the Great Commission in Matthew but actually began in the Bible as early as Genesis 3:15. After making his case that Genesis 1 - 11 is decidedly universalistic in its scope, Kaiser focuses on the call of Abraham in Genesis 12. Kaiser calls this the first "great commission" in the Bible. Kaiser traces the universalistic nature of God's call through Genesis and Exodus, through the Psalms and into the prophets. Kaiser's work is thankfully not weighted down with scholarly jargon, while it is thoroughly grounded in sound biblical scholarship. A most fascinating chapter on the apostle Paul's understanding of mission grounds Paul's marching orders for his missionary zeal squarely in the Old Testament, particularly the Psalms and Isaiah. This little book provides an important corrective to the idea that God suddenly gave up on Israel and switched to the Gentiles. Correctly understood, God from the beginning was seeking a people who encompassed all the nations of the world. In a day when some want to make the tent of God's family smaller, Kaiser points out that God's promises have always been for all the nations.NOTES: Donated by Gary & Angie Springer, during the first BH book drive. SUBTITLE: Israel as a Light to the Nations