BillyCalderwood.com

INITIAL OBSERVATIONS
Dr. Walter C. Kaiser, Jr. is the Colman M. Mockler distinguished Professor of Old Testament (and former President) of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Previously, Kaiser served as academic dean and Professor of Old Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

THESIS
Kaiser’s thesis is that the formative theology of Gen. 12:3 (the call of Abraham) is “the first Great Commission mandate of the Bible,” and clearly identifies God’s “divine program to glorify himself by bringing salvation to all on planet earth.” Kaiser argues that this theme “dominates the strategy, theology, and mission of the Old Testament.” Additionally, Kaiser argues that centrifugal (outward moving as contrasted with centripetal–passive, inward moving) witnessing “is the role assigned to Israel in actively sharing with others the Man of Promise who was to come.”

MAJOR SECTIONS
Kaiser begins by asserting that in its earliest chapters, the Old Testament reveals God’s plan for mission in the promise of the “Seed” who was to come in the person of the Man of Promise, the Messiah, “a message aimed universally at all people groups.” Kaiser then approaches the Psalms, noting the way they reveal God’s purpose for missions and the call for Israel to engage in active centrifugal mission proclaiming “among the nations” the good news of the deeds and salvation of God. Kaiser next explores some of the many references the Old Testament makes to individuals God uses to reach Gentiles. Kaiser then turns to the Servant Songs of Isaiah, noting the way God tasks Israel to serve as a light to the nations. Next, Kaiser explores the mission of Israel to the nations as found in the prophets, placing a particular emphasis on the implications of the Jonah account. Last, Kaiser points to the way the Apostle Paul continually references the Old Testament as the grounds for his mission to the Gentiles.

PERSONAL REACTION
I find Kaiser’s conclusion that the New Testament “case for evangelizing the Gentiles had not been a recently devised switch in the plan of God, but had always been the long-term commitment of the Living God who is a missionary God” to be immensely helpful. I found his arguments powerful and compelling, especially in reference to the missional implications of the Psalms and the Prophetic Books. So often, I have heard the Old Testament appealed to merely as the history of the people from whom the Messiah would come, rather than as the consistent, unchanging story of God’s mission to all peoples actively at work from the very beginning of time.

With this missional perspective in view, I believe the Old Testament regains an intended vitality that can otherwise be lost in our present day context. Rather than merely telling the story of Israel’s history or chronicling the prophetic promises of the Messiah to come, the Old Testament speaks with vital force and relevance to today’s church renewing its focus upon and partnership in God’s work of restoring creation to himself.

Speaking more personally, I realize that this perspective has profound implications for me as a pastor. My passion to preach from the Old Testament has skyrocketed. Additionally, my understanding of the various themes of the Gospels and Epistles grows with each fresh reading as I approach the Old Testament through these lenses. Seeing more clearly the long-term commitment of a missionary God traced throughout Scripture enables me to more clearly understand and communicate the significance of any particular passage of scripture against this backdrop.