Which Comes First: Theology or Mission/Missiology?

Problems:
Some people think:
  1. Mission comes first;
  2. Or that the church was established, then the theology came in;
  3. Or that some aspects of mission don't need be theologically correct/discussed;
  4. Or that some issues are missiological and not theological.

 

Theology First

  1. "In the beginning God..." Genesis 1:1
    - even without sin, there is God (and theology - the study of God)
  2. "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isaiah 8:20
    - mission is under theology (the Word).
    - mission should be derived from theology (the Word).
    - mission should be subject to theology (the Word).
    - mission should be tested / filtered by theology (the Word).
  3. "affliction shall not rise up the second time" Nahum 1:9
    - even when sin is eliminated, there will still be God (theology)
  4. "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:" Matthew 28:19
    - idea of God (theology) was there before the mission was given
    - mission comes from having idea of God (theology)
  5. "But God will have a people upon the earth to maintain the Bible, and the Bible only, as the standard of all doctrines and the basis of all reforms.  The opinions of learned men, the deductions of science, the creeds or decisions of ecclesiastical councils, as numerous and discordant as are the churches which they represent, the voice of the majority -- not one nor all of these should be regarded as evidence for or against any point of religious faith.  Before accepting any doctrine or precept, we should demand a plain "Thus saith the Lord" in its support".
    The Great Controversy (1911) p. 595
     

If Missiology Was More Important Than Theology

  1. We can do idolatry, because it attracts more people. Isaiah 8:19-22
  2. We can do infant baptism,
    because 1) it is not prohibited, and 2) it is more convenient. 
    Although it is not "according" to the word (Isaiah 8:20).
  3. We can observe Sunday as the alternative Sabbath,
    because 1) it is not prohibited, and 2) it is more convenient to more people.
    Although it is not "according" to the word (Isaiah 8:20).
  4. We can copy cultures even if they contradict what the prophets saw as the culture of heaven in their dreams and visions.

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