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Pauls Understanding of the Churchs Mission (Paternoster Biblical Monographs) (Paternoster Biblical Monographs)

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Originally his doctoral dissertation, Plummer presents an articulate argument for Paul's expectation that the church would, in fact, evangelize. Plummer's argument is based on an evaluation a several NT texts. In addition, Plummer examines evidence indicating Paul had an expectation of churches demonstrating an active and a passive witness. In fact, in some respects, the active/passive witness motif in Paul is so interwoven that Plummer contends "our active/passive dichotomy would seem strange to Paul" (105).

Plummer further contends that the dynamic power of the gospel provided Paul a theological basis for expecting that the church would engage in mission (142). Further, he comments that "because the gospel is self-diffusive, when it truly dwells in a congregation, that congregation will experience 'spontaneous expansion,' empowered by God's word and presence" (144-145). Plummer's call for reliance on the Word of God and the power of the gospel is refreshing in a time of such blatant pragmatism.

There is room for further work in this particular area of Plummer's study however; namely, since it appears there are largue numbers of churches in America who are not experiencing "spontaneous expansion," is it because the gospel is not the dynamic power Plummer describes it as being, or because there are large numbers of churches that are empowered by neither God's word nor His presence?