Journal of the Evangelical Missiological Society

Matthew 25:40 and 'The Least of These'

Jerry Ireland — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Two approaches dominate the church’s interpretation of Matthew 25:31-46 as it concerns the identity of “the least of these my brothers”: a universal approach that considers Jesus’ statement as establishing the way one treats the poor and needy as a (or even ‘the’) primary condition for salvation, in contrast to a particularist or narrow approach that rather understands Jesus as referring to how one receives the disciples sent in His name. In this study the various exegetical bases for these two dominant arguments will be examined in light of Matthew’s thematic interests. That is, what are the dominant theological threads that run throughout Matthew’s gospel, how does Matthew 25:40 cohere with other themes and emphases, and how does either interpretation fit with what the rest of the New Testament (NT) says about this subject. These are the questions this study will examine. In the end, I will propose that a narrow interpretation is most consistent with Matthew’s theology and with that of the NT as a whole, where “the least of these my brothers” refers explicitly to cross-cultural missionaries. I will then draw out some general conclusions for a missional ecclesiology.

Has the King Left the Building?

Lora Lynn Thigpen — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Christianity has a strategic problem. While Bible engagement rises, church attendance declines. In addition, the“State of the Great Commission” reports many American Christians seem apathetic to Christ’s call to evangelism and discipleship. How might the missional church better disciple the spiritually curious?

New believers do not come naturally equipped with knowing the cultural values of the church or the Kingdom of God. Like missionaries immersing in new cultures, they need to be acculturated. Drawing on cultural intelligence (CQ), this article introduces Kingdom cultural intelligence (KQ), then explores the cultural values of the Kingdom of God and how they differ from those of the secular world. By exploring conversion and discipleship through the lens of crossing culture, we can learn how Kingdom acculturation might be more effectively conducted and the suitable curriculum implemented for embracing Kingdom cultural values. While traditional discipleship tends to emphasize cognitive approaches, adults tend to benefit from other forms of learning when engaging in transformative practices. Applying a sociocultural lens to the Kingdom of God as presented in Scripture, this article proposes KQ as a missiological strategy to help disciple seekers, revitalizing the church’s mission in a spiritually hungry world.

The Wolves are Coming

Robert Gallagher — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The church in Ephesus embodies the gospel of the risen Lord as it reproduced itself within the cross-cultural milieu of its urban setting and Roman Asia. In doing so, the leaders of the church developed in their understanding of what it meant to be the community of Jesus in mission as they witnessed and imitated the godly morality and ethics of the apostle Paul and courageously rejected false teaching that would lure them away from Christ in the ever-changing Mediterranean world of the first century.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the church at Ephesus brought God’s light to the dark places of Roman Asia, especially through Paul’s missional example of holy preaching and living. Yet the Ephesian church was not only a dynamic and creative mission community cross-culturally proclaiming the good news of Christ’s kingdom but was also a protecting and nurturing environment for God’s family who struggled to retain the true life of the Spirit and protect itself from savage wolves within and without, whose lustful power desired to steal and kill the truth of the risen Jesus planted by the apostle Paul in the hearts of believers.

Revisiting “Who Really Sent the First Missionaries”

Marvin Newell — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Fifty years ago, Dr. Harold Cook, newly retired esteemed and long-tenured Professor of Missions at Moody Bible Institute, wrote an article published in the Evangelical Missions Quarterly (Fall, 1975) that raised eyebrows in mission circles. That article, entitled, “Who Really Sent the First Missionaries,” was written by Cook as a corrective to the then current and increasingly prevalent thinking about the role of the local church in the mission sending process. Centered on the example of the church at Antioch described in its sending action found in Acts 13:1-4, Cook’s premise was that although the church at Antioch was important to the sending of Barnabas and Saul, it was neither central nor supreme. By implication, neither should it be today.

In this paper a grammatical examination the Acts 13:1-4 passage will be conducted by way of four primary considerations: 1) the consideration of the church’s involvement vs. solely the prophets and teachers; 2) the two uses of the word “sent”; 3) the consideration of the imposition of hands; 4) the consideration of the phrase “set apart for me.” It is hoped that a balanced picture will emerge between the role of the Holy Spirit and the local church in the sending of missionaries today.

Called By Whom, To What, To Where?

Austin Holcomb — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Covocationalism is being promoted as a new strategy for many North American church planters. Several churches and practitioners have affirmed this vocational model, but the term itself has received little academic attention. The definition is nearly identical to bi-vocationalism, except co-vocational ministers feel called to remain in marketplace jobs indefinitely while also planting a church. The term marks a deliberate shift toward a missional mindset in which church planters steer away from traditional church models that might anticipate or desire "full-time" clergy. This research critiques the conceptual framework of the covocational model by examining underlying assumptions. Readers will be able to learn more about the historical emergence of the term and consider key biblical texts related to ministerial vocation. While there are practical and corrective aspects about covocationalism, this study argues the concept may unintentionally contribute to ministerial burnout and cause more confusion if it is widely promoted and uncritically adopted.

Response to Collin Cornell, God Draws Near

Collin Cornell, Christopher Wright — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This pair of short essays presents a theological dialogue between Christopher J. H. Wright and Collin Cornell on biblical theology of mission / missional hermeneutics. Wright responds to Cornell’s recently-published book titled God Draws Near, addressing critiques of the “dramatic paradigm," repair versus communion, and concerns about obsolescence and supersessionism. Cornell replies by defending a non-linear or “solar” canonical architecture that foregrounds God’s constancy and asserts communion as primary to mission. Together, the essays model respectful disagreement and aim to contribute some refreshment to evangelical missiology.

Review: The Reconciliation of Humanity in Christ: The Church’s Ministry of Leading and Serving the Globalized World

Sean Christensen — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Book review on The Reconciliation of Humanity in Christ: The Church’s Ministry of Leading and Serving the Globalized World by Peter Hong.

Review: Understanding Evangelism: Biblical Foundations, Historical Developments, and Contemporary Issues

Joseph Gavin — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Book Review of Understanding Evangelism: Biblical Foundations, Historical Developments, and Contemporary Issues by J. D. Payne

Review: John Wesley and the Origins of Methodist Missions

Kirsteen Kim — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Book review of John Wesley and the Origins of Methodist Missions by Philip Wingeier-Rayo.