Mission...It's Not What You Think. With Collin Cornell

·1 hr 11 min·5 clips

What if the Bible's grand story of creation, fall, and redemption isn't the right way to think about God's mission?

The episode begins by questioning the standard biblical theology of mission as a linear story of creation, fall, and redemption. Guest Colin Cornell is introduced as a scholar with a background in Bible translation and Old Testament studies, now teaching at Fuller Theological Seminary. He shares his journey from missionary aspirations to academic work, influenced by experiences in Nepal and a focus on ecology. Cornell critiques the dominant 'mission as repair' model, noting its limitations for people with disabilities and non-human creatures. He explains that the idea of the Bible as one grand narrative, with Genesis 12 as a turning point, originated with German scholar Gerhard von Rod in the 1940s. The conversation delves into the problem of obsolescence: if mission is only about fixing problems, relationships with God could end once repair is complete. This leads to a discussion on why Jesus remains incarnate if his purpose was solely salvific. Cornell argues for a 'geometric' Bible with multiple plotlines, including creation moving toward communion with God. He highlights the tabernacle as the pinnacle of God's presence, not just a place for atonement but for closeness. The Song of Songs is presented as a non-problem-solving text that exemplifies divine delight. Practical implications are explored, such as rethinking evangelism to focus on God's work in joy and connection rather than creating guilt. The episode touches on topics like animal morality, vegetarianism, and ethical farming, referencing theologian Norman Wirzba. Cornell concludes by emphasizing that all creatures are made for Christ, inviting a broader view of mission centered on fellowship.

As heard by us

A thoughtful reconsideration of Christian mission as God's desire to draw near to creation in love and delight.

Christian mission is often told through creation, fall and redemption: God rescues and repairs a fallen world. Colin Cornell questions that familiar sequence and offers a geometric model of Scripture instead.

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Why you'd press play

You want to test whether creation-fall-redemption is the right map for understanding Christian mission.

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