HeartCry Missionary Society
  • About
    • Who We Are
      • HeartCry at a Glance
      • History of HeartCry
      • Mission Statement
      • The HeartCry Missionary Society Statement of Faith
      • Core Convictions
      • Oversight and Accountability
      • Staff
    • What We Do
      • Indigenous Missions
        • Comparative Strategies
        • The Advantages
        • Governing Principles
        • Missionary Selection and Accountability
        • Our Ministry Focus
      • Equipping Missionaries
        • Bible Distribution
        • Literature Distribution
        • Theological Education
      • Mobilizing Missionaries
        • Missionary Support
        • Church Planting
        • Chapel Construction
        • Ministry Tools
      • FAQ
  • The Field
  • News
    • Mission Updates
    • HeartCry Magazines
    • Projects
  • Media
    • HeartCry Films
    • Doctrine in Life
    • Curriculum
    • Sermons
    • Books
    • Photo Gallery
    • Recursos en Español
Give
  • Give
    • Give Now
    • Ways to Give
    • Manage Giving
    • Giving History
HeartCry Missionary Society
  • About
    • Who We Are
      • HeartCry at a Glance
      • History of HeartCry
      • Mission Statement
      • The HeartCry Missionary Society Statement of Faith
      • Core Convictions
      • Oversight and Accountability
      • Staff
    • What We Do
      • Indigenous Missions
        • Comparative Strategies
        • The Advantages
        • Governing Principles
        • Missionary Selection and Accountability
        • Our Ministry Focus
      • Equipping Missionaries
        • Bible Distribution
        • Literature Distribution
        • Theological Education
      • Mobilizing Missionaries
        • Missionary Support
        • Church Planting
        • Chapel Construction
        • Ministry Tools
      • FAQ
  • The Field
    • All Regions
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • Eastern Europe
    • Eurasia
    • Latin America
    • Middle East
    • North America
    • Western Europe
  • News
    • Mission Updates
    • HeartCry Magazines
    • Projects
  • Media
    • HeartCry Films
    • Doctrine in Life
    • Curriculum
    • Sermons
    • Books
    • Photo Gallery
    • Recursos en Español
  • Support
    • Ways to Give
    • Give
    • Financial Principles
    • Sharing the Vision
    • Types of Support
    • Annual Financial Reports
    • Giving History
    • Manage Giving
  • More
    • HeartCry Prayer Guide
    • Staff Picks
    • Magazine Signup
    • Recommended Reading List
    • Church Finder
    • Contact Us
    • RSS Feeds
    • Copyrights and Permissions
“They who had no news of Him shall see, And they who have not heard shall understand.” - Rom. 15:21

Join Our Email or Text List

Prayer requests, mission updates, documentaries and more. Unsubscribe at any time. Subscribe to Updates

Subscribe to Updates

Connect with HeartCry

Give Give Now Ways to Give Manage Giving Giving History
Doctrine In Life Article

ARTICLE 12: The Missionary-Theologian

9月 03, 2020 Topics missionary, Missions, Seminary, Theological Education, Theology Series HeartCry Guide to Missions

HeartCry Guide to Missions

12/40
40
Hc Guide To Missions (3)

Article 40: Planting Biblical Churches

5月 13, 2021 Missions + 2 More
Article 40: Planting Biblical Churches
39
Hc Guide To Missions (3)

ARTICLE 39: Characteristics of a Biblical Church

4月 22, 2021 The Great Commission + 3 More
ARTICLE 39: Characteristics of a Biblical Church
38
Hc Guide To Missions (3)

ARTICLE 38: The Church —The Sender of Missionaries (continued)—

4月 15, 2021 The Great Commission + 2 More
ARTICLE 38: The Church —The Sender of Missionaries (continued)—
37
Hc Guide To Missions (3)

Article 37: The Church —The Sender of Missionaries—

4月 08, 2021
Article 37: The Church —The Sender of Missionaries—
36
Hc Guide To Missions (3)

Article 36: The Church —The Ordainer of Missions—

4月 01, 2021
Article 36: The Church —The Ordainer of Missions—
35
Hc Guide To Missions (3)

ARTICLE 35: The Church — The Incubator and Training Ground of Missionaries

3月 25, 2021
ARTICLE 35: The Church — The Incubator and Training Ground of Missionaries
34
Hc Guide To Missions (3)

ARTICLE 34: The Church and the Great Commission in the Book of Acts

3月 18, 2021 Polity + 3 More
ARTICLE 34: The Church and the Great Commission in the Book of Acts
33
Hc Guide To Missions (3)

ARTICLE 33: The Centrality of the Church in the Great Commission

3月 11, 2021 The Great Commission + 3 More
ARTICLE 33: The Centrality of the Church in the Great Commission
32
Hc Guide To Missions (3)

ARTICLE 32: The Prominence of Preaching —Why the Silence—

3月 04, 2021 Preaching + 2 More
ARTICLE 32: The Prominence of Preaching —Why the Silence—
31
Hc Guide To Missions (3)

ARTICLE 31: The Prominence of Preaching in the Epistles

2月 26, 2021 The Great Commission + 4 More
ARTICLE 31: The Prominence of Preaching in the Epistles
30
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 30: The Prominence of Preaching in the Book of Acts

2月 18, 2021 The Great Commission + 5 More
ARTICLE 30: The Prominence of Preaching in the Book of Acts
29
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 29: Pentecost and Us

2月 11, 2021 Tongues + 7 More
ARTICLE 29: Pentecost and Us
28
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 28: The Central Promise of Pentecost

12月 17, 2020 The Trinity + 5 More
ARTICLE 28: The Central Promise of Pentecost
27
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 27: The Necessity of the Spirit

12月 03, 2020 The Great Commission + 2 More
ARTICLE 27: The Necessity of the Spirit
26
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 26: The Power of Prayer

11月 19, 2020 The Great Commission + 3 More
ARTICLE 26: The Power of Prayer
25
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 25: Biblical Fidelity and Cultural Sensitivity

10月 26, 2020 The Great Commission + 5 More
ARTICLE 25: Biblical Fidelity and Cultural Sensitivity
24
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 24: Biblical Methodology — According to the Pattern

10月 22, 2020 The Great Commission + 3 More
ARTICLE 24: Biblical Methodology — According to the Pattern
23
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 23: Biblical Methodology—Rules of Conduct

10月 19, 2020 The Great Commission + 2 More
ARTICLE 23: Biblical Methodology—Rules of Conduct
22
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 22—Biblical Methodology: Doers of the Word

10月 15, 2020 The Great Commission + 4 More
ARTICLE 22—Biblical Methodology: Doers of the Word
21
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 21: Biblical Methodology — The Great Error

10月 12, 2020 The Great Commission + 3 More
ARTICLE 21: Biblical Methodology — The Great Error
20
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 20: The Tale of Two Cities

10月 08, 2020 The Great Commission + 3 More
ARTICLE 20: The Tale of Two Cities
19
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 19: Sola Scriptura

10月 05, 2020 The Great Commission + 5 More
ARTICLE 19: Sola Scriptura
18
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 18: The Sufficiency of the Scriptures

10月 01, 2020 The Sufficiency of Scripture + 3 More
ARTICLE 18: The Sufficiency of the Scriptures
17
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 17: The Primacy of Gospel

9月 28, 2020 The Great Commission + 3 More
ARTICLE 17: The Primacy of Gospel
16
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 16: A SUMMARY OF THE GREAT COMMISSION —RANGE OF ACTIVITIES—

9月 21, 2020 Witnessing + 9 More
ARTICLE 16: A SUMMARY OF THE GREAT COMMISSION —RANGE OF ACTIVITIES—
15
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 15: A Summary of the Great Commission —Message and Purpose—

9月 18, 2020 The Great Commission + 3 More
ARTICLE 15: A Summary of the Great Commission —Message and Purpose—
14
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 14: A Summary of the Great Commission —Authorization and Sphere of Ministry—

9月 14, 2020 The Great Commission + 4 More
ARTICLE 14: A Summary of the Great Commission —Authorization and Sphere of Ministry—
13
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 13: The Missionary-Teacher

9月 10, 2020 The Great Commission + 4 More
ARTICLE 13: The Missionary-Teacher
12
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 12: The Missionary-Theologian

9月 03, 2020 Theology + 4 More
ARTICLE 12: The Missionary-Theologian
11
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE ELEVEN: Missions as a Theological Endeavor

8月 31, 2020 Theology + 5 More
ARTICLE ELEVEN: Missions as a Theological Endeavor
10
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE TEN: The Means of the Great Commission —Going, Baptizing, Teaching—

8月 27, 2020 William Carey + 5 More
ARTICLE TEN: The Means of the Great Commission —Going, Baptizing, Teaching—
9
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 9: The Great Commission and the Extent of Discipleship

8月 24, 2020 Nations + 3 More
ARTICLE 9: The Great Commission and the Extent of Discipleship
8
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 8: The Great Commission & the Character of Discipleship

8月 20, 2020 The Great Commission + 4 More
ARTICLE 8: The Great Commission & the Character of Discipleship
7
Compass 2946959 1920

Article 7: THE GREAT COMMISSION AND THE GOAL OF DISCIPLESHIP

8月 17, 2020 The Great Commission + 6 More
Article 7: THE GREAT COMMISSION AND THE GOAL OF DISCIPLESHIP
6
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 6: Going Out Under Christ’s Authority

8月 13, 2020 The Sufficiency of Scripture + 4 More
ARTICLE 6: Going Out Under Christ’s Authority
5
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 5: Going Out In Christ’s Authority

8月 10, 2020 The Great Commission + 4 More
ARTICLE 5: Going Out In Christ’s Authority
4
Compass 2946959 1920

Article Four: THE AUTHORITY BEHIND THE GREAT COMMISSION

8月 06, 2020 The Great Commission + 3 More
Article Four: THE AUTHORITY BEHIND THE GREAT COMMISSION
3
Compass 2946959 1920

Article Three: THE GREAT COMMISSION AND THE GREATEST COMMAND

8月 03, 2020 The Great Commission + 4 More
Article Three: THE GREAT COMMISSION AND THE GREATEST COMMAND
2
Compass 2946959 1920

Article Two: THE NEED & THE OPPORTUNITY

7月 30, 2020
Article Two: THE NEED & THE OPPORTUNITY
1
Compass 2946959 1920

Article One: A WORD TO ASPIRING MISSIONARIES

7月 27, 2020
Article One: A WORD TO ASPIRING MISSIONARIES
ARTICLE 12: The Missionary-Theologian

Paul David Washer

Paul David Washer

Everyone is a theologian. We may be biblical or unbiblical, diligent or lazy, but we are all theologians. If this can be said of the secular man and even the atheist, then it most certainly applies to the Christian missionary. The Great Commission is about carrying God’s truth to men in a manner that is unified, non-contradictory, and comprehendible. Therefore, whether the missionary likes it or not, he is a theologian involved in a decidedly theological endeavor. To think otherwise is absurd.

In spite of this truth, it is astounding how few missionaries concern themselves with the study of doctrine, and how few theologians concern themselves with the work of missions. It is a phenomenon that is observable even in Bible colleges and seminaries. The students who are given to the study of doctrine often want to stay within the confines of academia while those who are less inclined to study and more inclined toward the needs of humanity go to the field. This is a great contradiction. The greatest benefit we can render to humankind in every place and under every circumstance is to give them the Word of life, to communicate to them biblical truth. The world is destroyed for a lack of knowledge1 and a lack of the transforming power of the Spirit who works through the proclamation of that knowledge. Thus, one of the greatest needs on the mission field is missionaries who know their God, who know the Scriptures, and who consider the proclamation of truth to be their highest calling.

Although the Great Commission is a theological endeavor, it has become a common practice to send missionaries to the field with only the bare minimum of theological knowledge. Even those missionaries who are trained in Bible college or seminary often by-pass their foundational studies in Scripture2 in order to immerse themselves in pragmatic and oftentimes avant-garde strategies regarding missions, culture, church planting, and church growth. Therefore, they leave for the field with enough strategies to sink a barge, but their theological knowledge can be carried in their shirt pocket.

If the foundation is weak, the entire building will be weak. If the root of the tree is malignant, then the fruit flowing from it will be equally malignant, even noxious.

Paul Washer, Article 12
HeartCry Guide to Missions

The purpose of the Great Commission is to make disciples of Christ and to plant churches in people groups that have previously been unreached with the gospel. Consequently, what the missionary believes and teaches will oftentimes be the foundation of the church for an entire people group. If the foundation is weak, the entire building will be weak. If the root of the tree is malignant, then the fruit flowing from it will be equally malignant, even noxious. For this reason, we ought to send our best exegetes, theologians, and expositors to the mission field. At the very least, each missionary should have an adequate knowledge of hermeneutics, biblical languages, systematic theology, and church history. To set a person loose on the mission field who is governed by the most recent methodologies in church growth but is not grounded in the rule of Scripture is a dangerous thing. And yet, this has become a common practice. We must always remember that the enemy of the theologian is liberalism and the avant-garde, but the enemy of the missionary is zeal without knowledge and pragmatism.

A young man once wrote to an elder missionary asking if he could work alongside him on the mission field. The missionary inquired about the young man’s study of the Scriptures, his knowledge of doctrine, his prayer life, piety, and view of missions. The young man’s reply to each inquiry demonstrated that he was either unprepared, undisciplined, or had never given the subject even the slightest consideration. Finally, he exclaimed, “I do not know about these things, I only want to come to the mission field and give my life away!” To this, the elder missionary replied, “Young man, no one here needs your life. They need God, and they someone who can accurately tell them about Him.” After this hard word, the missionary patiently set before the young man a more biblical view of missions. He then invited him to visit and to work alongside him for a time. Later, the young man confessed to a friend that what he learned in that first conversation helped him understand the serious nature of missions and the great importance of being “a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”3

We need all kinds of gifts in the church and on the mission field. However, these gifts must function within the realm of biblical truth and they must result in the communication of that truth to others. If not, then all our activity is a contradiction of the Great Commission and will be a detriment to its advancement among any people group. We should never be a “hindrance” to a Christian who has been genuinely called of God to serve on the field. However, it may be wise to “hinder” them for a while until they have adequately prepared themselves in the knowledge of Scripture, the great doctrines of the faith, and the great disciplines of the Christian life.


[1] Hosea 4:6

[2] Foundational studies would include: hermeneutics, biblical languages, systematic theology, and church history.

[3] II Timothy 2:15

  1. Hosea 4:6
  2. Foundational studies would include: hermeneutics, biblical languages, systematic theology, and church history.
  3. II Timothy 2:15

Author

More By Paul David Washer

Paul David Washer

Paul is the founder of HeartCry Missionary Society and currently serves as its missions director. He also ministered as a missionary in Peru for ten years. He has preached hundreds of sermons and has authored a dozen published works. Paul lives in Radford, Virginia, with his wife Charo and their four children: Ian, Evan, Rowan, and Bronwyn.

More By Paul David Washer

HeartCry Guide to Missions

12/40
40
Hc Guide To Missions (3)

Article 40: Planting Biblical Churches

5月 13, 2021 Missions + 2 More
Article 40: Planting Biblical Churches
39
Hc Guide To Missions (3)

ARTICLE 39: Characteristics of a Biblical Church

4月 22, 2021 The Great Commission + 3 More
ARTICLE 39: Characteristics of a Biblical Church
38
Hc Guide To Missions (3)

ARTICLE 38: The Church —The Sender of Missionaries (continued)—

4月 15, 2021 The Great Commission + 2 More
ARTICLE 38: The Church —The Sender of Missionaries (continued)—
37
Hc Guide To Missions (3)

Article 37: The Church —The Sender of Missionaries—

4月 08, 2021
Article 37: The Church —The Sender of Missionaries—
36
Hc Guide To Missions (3)

Article 36: The Church —The Ordainer of Missions—

4月 01, 2021
Article 36: The Church —The Ordainer of Missions—
35
Hc Guide To Missions (3)

ARTICLE 35: The Church — The Incubator and Training Ground of Missionaries

3月 25, 2021
ARTICLE 35: The Church — The Incubator and Training Ground of Missionaries
34
Hc Guide To Missions (3)

ARTICLE 34: The Church and the Great Commission in the Book of Acts

3月 18, 2021 Polity + 3 More
ARTICLE 34: The Church and the Great Commission in the Book of Acts
33
Hc Guide To Missions (3)

ARTICLE 33: The Centrality of the Church in the Great Commission

3月 11, 2021 The Great Commission + 3 More
ARTICLE 33: The Centrality of the Church in the Great Commission
32
Hc Guide To Missions (3)

ARTICLE 32: The Prominence of Preaching —Why the Silence—

3月 04, 2021 Preaching + 2 More
ARTICLE 32: The Prominence of Preaching —Why the Silence—
31
Hc Guide To Missions (3)

ARTICLE 31: The Prominence of Preaching in the Epistles

2月 26, 2021 The Great Commission + 4 More
ARTICLE 31: The Prominence of Preaching in the Epistles
30
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 30: The Prominence of Preaching in the Book of Acts

2月 18, 2021 The Great Commission + 5 More
ARTICLE 30: The Prominence of Preaching in the Book of Acts
29
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 29: Pentecost and Us

2月 11, 2021 Tongues + 7 More
ARTICLE 29: Pentecost and Us
28
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 28: The Central Promise of Pentecost

12月 17, 2020 The Trinity + 5 More
ARTICLE 28: The Central Promise of Pentecost
27
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 27: The Necessity of the Spirit

12月 03, 2020 The Great Commission + 2 More
ARTICLE 27: The Necessity of the Spirit
26
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 26: The Power of Prayer

11月 19, 2020 The Great Commission + 3 More
ARTICLE 26: The Power of Prayer
25
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 25: Biblical Fidelity and Cultural Sensitivity

10月 26, 2020 The Great Commission + 5 More
ARTICLE 25: Biblical Fidelity and Cultural Sensitivity
24
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 24: Biblical Methodology — According to the Pattern

10月 22, 2020 The Great Commission + 3 More
ARTICLE 24: Biblical Methodology — According to the Pattern
23
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 23: Biblical Methodology—Rules of Conduct

10月 19, 2020 The Great Commission + 2 More
ARTICLE 23: Biblical Methodology—Rules of Conduct
22
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 22—Biblical Methodology: Doers of the Word

10月 15, 2020 The Great Commission + 4 More
ARTICLE 22—Biblical Methodology: Doers of the Word
21
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 21: Biblical Methodology — The Great Error

10月 12, 2020 The Great Commission + 3 More
ARTICLE 21: Biblical Methodology — The Great Error
20
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 20: The Tale of Two Cities

10月 08, 2020 The Great Commission + 3 More
ARTICLE 20: The Tale of Two Cities
19
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 19: Sola Scriptura

10月 05, 2020 The Great Commission + 5 More
ARTICLE 19: Sola Scriptura
18
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 18: The Sufficiency of the Scriptures

10月 01, 2020 The Sufficiency of Scripture + 3 More
ARTICLE 18: The Sufficiency of the Scriptures
17
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 17: The Primacy of Gospel

9月 28, 2020 The Great Commission + 3 More
ARTICLE 17: The Primacy of Gospel
16
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 16: A SUMMARY OF THE GREAT COMMISSION —RANGE OF ACTIVITIES—

9月 21, 2020 Witnessing + 9 More
ARTICLE 16: A SUMMARY OF THE GREAT COMMISSION —RANGE OF ACTIVITIES—
15
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 15: A Summary of the Great Commission —Message and Purpose—

9月 18, 2020 The Great Commission + 3 More
ARTICLE 15: A Summary of the Great Commission —Message and Purpose—
14
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 14: A Summary of the Great Commission —Authorization and Sphere of Ministry—

9月 14, 2020 The Great Commission + 4 More
ARTICLE 14: A Summary of the Great Commission —Authorization and Sphere of Ministry—
13
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 13: The Missionary-Teacher

9月 10, 2020 The Great Commission + 4 More
ARTICLE 13: The Missionary-Teacher
12
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 12: The Missionary-Theologian

9月 03, 2020 Theology + 4 More
ARTICLE 12: The Missionary-Theologian
11
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE ELEVEN: Missions as a Theological Endeavor

8月 31, 2020 Theology + 5 More
ARTICLE ELEVEN: Missions as a Theological Endeavor
10
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE TEN: The Means of the Great Commission —Going, Baptizing, Teaching—

8月 27, 2020 William Carey + 5 More
ARTICLE TEN: The Means of the Great Commission —Going, Baptizing, Teaching—
9
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 9: The Great Commission and the Extent of Discipleship

8月 24, 2020 Nations + 3 More
ARTICLE 9: The Great Commission and the Extent of Discipleship
8
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 8: The Great Commission & the Character of Discipleship

8月 20, 2020 The Great Commission + 4 More
ARTICLE 8: The Great Commission & the Character of Discipleship
7
Compass 2946959 1920

Article 7: THE GREAT COMMISSION AND THE GOAL OF DISCIPLESHIP

8月 17, 2020 The Great Commission + 6 More
Article 7: THE GREAT COMMISSION AND THE GOAL OF DISCIPLESHIP
6
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 6: Going Out Under Christ’s Authority

8月 13, 2020 The Sufficiency of Scripture + 4 More
ARTICLE 6: Going Out Under Christ’s Authority
5
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 5: Going Out In Christ’s Authority

8月 10, 2020 The Great Commission + 4 More
ARTICLE 5: Going Out In Christ’s Authority
4
Compass 2946959 1920

Article Four: THE AUTHORITY BEHIND THE GREAT COMMISSION

8月 06, 2020 The Great Commission + 3 More
Article Four: THE AUTHORITY BEHIND THE GREAT COMMISSION
3
Compass 2946959 1920

Article Three: THE GREAT COMMISSION AND THE GREATEST COMMAND

8月 03, 2020 The Great Commission + 4 More
Article Three: THE GREAT COMMISSION AND THE GREATEST COMMAND
2
Compass 2946959 1920

Article Two: THE NEED & THE OPPORTUNITY

7月 30, 2020
Article Two: THE NEED & THE OPPORTUNITY
1
Compass 2946959 1920

Article One: A WORD TO ASPIRING MISSIONARIES

7月 27, 2020
Article One: A WORD TO ASPIRING MISSIONARIES

Connect with HeartCry

You are browsing in .
Return to English Books.
Home Who We Are What We Do The Field News Media Give
HeartCry Missionary Society

For from the rising of the sun even to its setting, My name will be great among the nations. -Mal. 1:11

Mailing Address:
P.O. BOX 7372
ROANOKE, VA 24019

Join Our Email or Text List

Prayer requests, mission updates, documentaries and more. Unsubscribe at any time. Subscribe to Updates

Subscribe to Updates

¿HABLAS ESPAÑOL?

Recursos Cristianos Para la Iglesia de Habla Hispana.

Recursos en Español Logo
© 2023 HeartCry Missionary Society All Rights Reserved | Powered by