Book Review #3 - "Disciples of All Nations: Pilars of World Christianity" by Lamin Sanneh

Jill Pratt
November 4, 2009
Church & Mission in a Global Context, Dr. Bolger
Book Review #3

Disciples of All Nations: Pillars of World Christianity
By Lamin Sanneh

Chapter 1 – Whither Christianity?
The opening chapter emphasized the undeniable fact that the gospel and gospel bearers are for all people, everywhere and always- especially in one’s own backyard. My peers and I need to walk the same path as Paul, and end up sharing the view that, “one need not conform to one cultural ideal or standard to be saved,” (6). I wonder how today we are still struggling with this, unable to treat the gospel for what it is: a gospel that transcends culture and yet redeems all cultures.
It was interesting to read that Augustine, bishop of Canterbury, was instructed by Pope Gregory to hold church in former pagan temples, and even to redirect worship on pagan holidays towards the one true God (45). This served, as the Pope thought, as a stepping-stone to right worship (45). I wonder if the church today could learn from this and not condemn the lifestyles of unbelievers from the start, but work step by step in each specific situation.

Chapter 2 – The Christian Movement in Islamic Perspective
This chapter was quite interesting, as I have studied Islam at length. The stalemate that is mentioned between the religions, reaching back to the very beginnings of their interactions, rings true today. The sad irony was made apparent with the description of how secular Europe and the world of Islam have interacted historically. The point that, “secular traffic with the world of Islam gave Europe crosscultural access without a religious handicap,” highlights that perhaps Christians within secular European society missed a crucial opportunity to reveal their faith through relationship with Muslims (80).
Additionally, from learning about former traditions and ways of viewing Christian faith, the text communicated that the gospel, while unchanging, has been interpreted innumerable ways throughout history, leaving the reader with a sense of fogginess and the question, “If we think that we have it ‘right’ today, what about all who came before us and their contradictory interpretations?” The more I learn about the journey the gospel has gone through to get to me, the more I wonder if truth is all relative and that the power of the gospel is true to all who believe, but unique to all in their understanding.

Chapter 3 – Old World Precedents and New World Discretions
Much of what is described here seems to be an account of historical facts shaped by economics, politics and conflict, with the spiritual dimension being minimal. Of course an account of history is just a small window into the past, and inner, spiritual lives are not recorded in the way that public events are. What is revealed here is a portrait of human nature, with spiritual fervor, although no doubt emphasized, remaining in the background.
A particular passage that resonated with my own recent experience is that of Alphonso Mendez in Ethiopia and his mandates that people be rebaptized and reordained, “as if they were pagans,” (104). In my church visit paper I mentioned that if I were to become an active member in the church I would need to be baptized again according to the pastor, because my baptism was not through immersion. The church I visited has not authority over me and yet I found this to be offensive, and ignorant on the part of the church. As my class group and I have recently explored, with structure comes good and bad things, the bad in this case being that someone operating within structure assumes the right and power to have authority over fellow believers. Are we not all the same- sinners- before God? Through the materials we have studied in this class so far I have developed a strong dislike for authority within the church. Perhaps that leads me to realize that my idea of church involves a flat model of leadership.

Chapter 4 – The Yogi and the Commissar
The introduction to this chapter highlights a negative connotation that I find in today’s (and yesterday’s) idea of “overseas mission.” “Missions led to Europe’s overseas ascendancy,” (131). This rings true today for the U.S. and its often glorified Christian tourism, found in the form of mission trips, which ultimately often harm the intended audience, in addition to the small amount of good they can do. Worldview is also weaved into this concept, which connects with what I have been learning in my Poverty and Development course. The close relationship between ones’ worldview and understanding of the gospel is something that must be examined in every believer’s heart.

Chapter 5 – Pillar of Charismatic Renewal
Colonialism and its relationship with missions, as mentioned here, is an issue I have been exploring in my Current Trends in Islam course this quarter. Just as with certain historical events, colonialism seems to be an issue that Christians need to reconsider and repent of, which could have worldwide implications for the spread of the message of the mission. One of the most valuable lessons I have learned this quarter is to first examine my own history, heart and worldview when approaching a subject, because the majority of what I take for granted as historical fact can be interpreted many different ways, as in this case of colonialism and Christianity.