Early Christian Mission
Eckhard J. Schnabel
Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press (2004)
1928 pages (2 vols.)

In this prodigious two-volume tome, Eckhard J. Schnabel has produced a massive investigation and exposition of subject matter pertaining to the first century of Christian history, theology, and missions. He is currently professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Deerfield, Illinois), with experience on the mission field as well as teaching stints in Germany and the Philippines. Sensing "a lack of exegetical foundation and theological sophistication" in many writings by missiologists, missionaries, and representatives of missionary societies, Schnabel has set about to present a full-scale work. This includes the historical and social conditions of life in the first century. Given the observation that the last full study of early Christian missions was Adolf von Harnack's The Mission and Expansion of Christianity in the First Three Centuries (in German 1902, and in English 1904), the author sees need for "an exhaustive study that integrates old and new insights and both historical-geographical and exegetical-theological material into a comprehensive description of the missionary movement of the first Christians" (xxiv).

Schnabel's definition of "mission" incorporates (1) communication of a new interpretation of reality; (2) a new way of life—the importance of a new ethical standard; and (3) integration of converts into their community. He is quite plain about the fact that he intends to emphasize "historical matters" along with "theological motivations and positions" (12). To acquaint the reader with the data he includes a chronological survey of the important political events of the first century (41–54).

Volume 1 is given to a detailed study of "Jesus and the Twelve"—encompassing four parts: (1) "Promise," (2) "Fulfillment," (3) "Beginnings," and (4) "Exodus." He lays the background for a study of Jesus' ministry by examining the expectations and the historical expansion of Judaism in the Old Testament and the Second Temple period. This is followed by a full segment of material on Jesus' teaching and mission, his call and training of the Twelve, then their work in, and expanding from, Jerusalem.

Volume 2 includes material on "Paul and the Early Church" in three parts: (5) "Pioneer Missionary Work," which deals with Paul's mission; (6) "Growth"; and (7) "Results." Over 550 pages are devoted to an examination of Paul's life and work as a missionary—more detailed than I have personally seen before. As in the previous volume, much attention is paid to both history and geography, along with exegetical and missiological insights. There is a helpful section in chapter 6 on the missionary theology of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Peter, respectively. Chapter 7 concludes the study with a useful perusal of the self-understanding, praxis, and message of the early Christian missionaries, along with observations on missions in both the first and twentieth/twenty-first centuries.

One other notable feature of this work is the bibliography. It can only be described as massive—a total of 167 pages! For readers who want to do further research on any of the areas touched on in this tome, there will be abundant opportunity. Schnabel details sources and resources, commentaries, and secondary literature. Together with a section of maps and figures (1589–1628) and lengthy indexes, all these aids to study will be appreciated by serious readers.

One final feature should be mentioned. The author has divided the text of the book into various segments of which students should be aware. One notices the alternating between "normal" print and smaller type. The former contains the main part of the argument or exposition. The latter has material of various sorts: interaction with many authors, quotations from sundry sources, historical and geographical details, and so forth. These are sometimes critical to advance an argument, sometimes illustrative, and sometimes giving background from a variety of ancient sources. Of course, in addition, there are copious footnotes.

This two-volume work should provide great opportunity for the student of Christian missions to investigate first-century data, and to apply what is learned to the study and development of missions today. May it serve God's purpose well.