What do you think?
Rate this book
Recovering the Full Mission of God: A Biblical Perspective on Being, Doing and Telling
Is our gospel witness too small? Should the gospel be proclaimed in words only? Or should we preach the gospel in deeds—and when necessary use words? Or are we missing something in playing the witness of words against deeds? If you are concerned about evangelizing the post-Christian West or the world beyond, you have probably debated this issue. And evangelical instincts drive us to Scripture.
In Recovering the Full Mission of God, Dean Flemming joins biblical scholarship with missionary experience as he surveys the Old Testament and then looks closely at the New Testament and the early church. Flemming shows how the three strands of telling, doing and being relate in the mission of God and his people.
Here is a book in touch with the missional realities of our time and grounded in the missional vision of biblical revelation. It gives us a clear vision of the rich and multifaceted nature of "gospeling" the kingdom of God.
In Recovering the Full Mission of God, Dean Flemming joins biblical scholarship with missionary experience as he surveys the Old Testament and then looks closely at the New Testament and the early church. Flemming shows how the three strands of telling, doing and being relate in the mission of God and his people.
Here is a book in touch with the missional realities of our time and grounded in the missional vision of biblical revelation. It gives us a clear vision of the rich and multifaceted nature of "gospeling" the kingdom of God.
- GenresTheologyNonfiction
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 4, 2013
14 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Dean Flemming
18 books13 followersMy bio is at: http://www.amazon.com/Dean-E.-Flemmin...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 24, 2025
When I started reading mission/evangelism books, I wish I'd started with this one. It is an absolute gem and I could not recommend it more highly.
Flemming weaves together missiology and New Testament studies in a magnificent way.
Flemming weaves together missiology and New Testament studies in a magnificent way.
September 28, 2018
I read this book for my Evangelism course. In "Rediscovering the Full Mission of God," Flemming makes a convincing case that our participation as Christians in the Mission of God, the missio Dei, involves BEING, DOING, and TELLING the Good News of Jesus. He gives an overview of the Old Testament and then walks carefully through the Synoptic Gospels, John, Acts, Paul's ministry, the ministry of Paul's churches, 1 Peter, and Revelation, clearly demonstrating how all three elements (being, doing, and telling) are inseparably part of God's work through His people, each one being highlighted in differing contexts.
My largest criticism of this book may be its greatest strength: Flemming makes the case so thoroughly in each chapter that I felt I was reading the same content every twenty pages. It certainly did not help that I was being lectured simultaneously by Flemming himself in my "Introduction to Chrisitan Mission" on this very same content. Because of all of the repetition, it was very hard for me to stay engaged while I was reading. I feel that I could have read the introduction and conclusion of the book and been sufficiently convinced and satisfied. With all of that being said, Dean's work in systematically demonstrating his point through each section of the Bible he discussed is important and valuable for the church and our understanding of missiology.
My largest criticism of this book may be its greatest strength: Flemming makes the case so thoroughly in each chapter that I felt I was reading the same content every twenty pages. It certainly did not help that I was being lectured simultaneously by Flemming himself in my "Introduction to Chrisitan Mission" on this very same content. Because of all of the repetition, it was very hard for me to stay engaged while I was reading. I feel that I could have read the introduction and conclusion of the book and been sufficiently convinced and satisfied. With all of that being said, Dean's work in systematically demonstrating his point through each section of the Bible he discussed is important and valuable for the church and our understanding of missiology.
December 12, 2013
Evangelicals privilege ‘preaching the good news’ in their missional endeavors; however there has been a shift toward action (ie. caring for people’s physical needs, standing for justice, etc.). Sometimes this is at the expense of sharing the gospel verbally. In Recovering the Full Mission of God: A Biblical Perspective on Being, Doing and Telling, Dean Flemming begins by reflecting on the quote attributed to Francis of Assisi, “Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary use words.” This quote challenges us to live compelling lives which enter into the struggles of those around us. Yet many follow Francis’s advice (or pseudo-Francis?) without ever sharing ‘the reason for the hope that is within them.’ So Flemming asks, “How should the verbal and non-verbal dimensions of our mission as God’s people connect?” (14). Rather than contrasting ‘word and deed,’ he connects living and telling the good news as crucial aspects of our mission. ‘Telling’ means gospel proclamation, ‘living’ denotes both issues of our identity as God’s people (being), and demonstrative actions which seek to meet the needs of hurting world (doing).
In what follows, Flemming looks at what the Bible has to tell us about living and telling the gospel. The first couple of chapters explore the Old Testament witness (with a nod toward Chris Wright’s Mission of God for a fuller treatment). Chapter one describes how Israel’s mission with rooted in their identity as God’s people. They were a nation chosen by God, blessed to be a blessing and priests to the nation; however their mission was ‘fundamentally about attracting the nations, rather than going to them. (42).’ They were to live lives which ‘set them apart’ from the idolatrous practices of their neighbors and demonstrate to the world what God was like. Yet chapter two illustrates that even in the Old Testament there is the call to proclaim in books like Jonah (hardly our exemplar), Isaiah and some of the psalms.
Chapters three through five describe the mission of Jesus in the gospels. In Christ, we see the perfect blend of word and deed. Jesus proclaims the news of the kingdom wherever he goes, but also demonstrates the truth of the gospel through his life and actions through his life, and through his cross. Nevertheless each of the gospel writers emphasize different aspects of Christ’s mission. Mark emphasizes Jesus’ deeds, Matthew describes the path of discipleship and the life of obedience, whereas Luke stresses the ‘good news to the poor’ in both in proclamation and his call to justice. John puts the greatest emphasis on being. Together these gospels give us a full picture of Christ’s mission, though each author brings a distinct perspective
Chapter six examines God’s mission through the book of Acts. Acts has long been a primary source for understanding God’s mission. For the purposes of this book, Flemming illustrates how we see both proclamation, the gospel being shared in new settings, and the break down of social barriers (e.g. the inclusion of Gentiles as God’s people, economic sharing, etc).
Chapter’s seven and eight explore the Pauline epistles. Paul’s mission was about proclaiming the good news to the Gentiles. He was a preacher, but he was not just a preacher. He sought ‘to win obedience from the Gentiles, by word and deed, by the power of signs and wonders’ (Romans 15:18-19) (159). The missional communities that Paul founded are both like and unlike Paul in the way they lived out God’s mission. While Paul lays emphasis on telling the good news, he also exhorts them to live compelling lives and share in the suffering of others. Flemming sees the synthesis of word and deed, most clearly illustrated by the church at Philippi (201-7).
Chapters nine and ten explore 1 Peter and Revelation, respectively. Both of these books describe God’s mission in a world in an unfriendly world. 1 Peter, more than any other New Testament book, emphasizes the non-verbal dimension of mission (209). It describes a church pushed to the margins of society and draws heavily on the idea of being ‘set apart’ and being a ‘priest’ to the nations. Yet the community that Peter addresses is one which responded to the proclamation of the gospel and Peter expects that they will also share with words the hope they have in Christ. Revelation illustrates how to resist the powers–human and satanic which resist God’s rule. The alternative way of seeing the world which Revelation describes provides a vivid picture of our mission and its telos.
In chapter eleven, Flemming ties all the above together and concludes the book with some reflections on being, doing and telling. Word and deed belong together and Flemming argues that one should not take priority over the other, though personal gifting and circumstance may dictate that one is privileged. Both are necessary components of our sharing in God’s mission.
I really appreciated Flemming’s missional guide to the Bible. While there are gaps (1 Peter is the sole example from the General Epistles and the Old Testament chapters are brief), Flemming’s question of the Bible, ‘How do the verbal and non-verbal dimensions of our mission connect,’ bringss fruitful insights into how we should bear witness to God before our world. While Flemming’s model allows for some flexibility between how much of our personal witness is verbal or demonstrative, he dismisses approach to mission that our only verbal or only non-verbal. The former is words without power which divorces evangelism from the life of obedience. The latter fails to share ‘why we do what we do’ and offer hope to the watching world.
Flemming does a great job of putting word and deed together for Mission and I was challenged to both ‘do more’ and ‘say more.’ I think it a tremendous resource for helping us approach mission in a way that is healthy and holistic. By drawing on the biblical witness, Flemming is able to show that not every approach to mission will have the same make-up or emphasis (on being, doing or telling), but all the components are necessary for effective witness. Students and ministers will benefit from Flemming’s insights. I give the book 5 stars! ★★★★★
Thank you to IVP Academic for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
In what follows, Flemming looks at what the Bible has to tell us about living and telling the gospel. The first couple of chapters explore the Old Testament witness (with a nod toward Chris Wright’s Mission of God for a fuller treatment). Chapter one describes how Israel’s mission with rooted in their identity as God’s people. They were a nation chosen by God, blessed to be a blessing and priests to the nation; however their mission was ‘fundamentally about attracting the nations, rather than going to them. (42).’ They were to live lives which ‘set them apart’ from the idolatrous practices of their neighbors and demonstrate to the world what God was like. Yet chapter two illustrates that even in the Old Testament there is the call to proclaim in books like Jonah (hardly our exemplar), Isaiah and some of the psalms.
Chapters three through five describe the mission of Jesus in the gospels. In Christ, we see the perfect blend of word and deed. Jesus proclaims the news of the kingdom wherever he goes, but also demonstrates the truth of the gospel through his life and actions through his life, and through his cross. Nevertheless each of the gospel writers emphasize different aspects of Christ’s mission. Mark emphasizes Jesus’ deeds, Matthew describes the path of discipleship and the life of obedience, whereas Luke stresses the ‘good news to the poor’ in both in proclamation and his call to justice. John puts the greatest emphasis on being. Together these gospels give us a full picture of Christ’s mission, though each author brings a distinct perspective
Chapter six examines God’s mission through the book of Acts. Acts has long been a primary source for understanding God’s mission. For the purposes of this book, Flemming illustrates how we see both proclamation, the gospel being shared in new settings, and the break down of social barriers (e.g. the inclusion of Gentiles as God’s people, economic sharing, etc).
Chapter’s seven and eight explore the Pauline epistles. Paul’s mission was about proclaiming the good news to the Gentiles. He was a preacher, but he was not just a preacher. He sought ‘to win obedience from the Gentiles, by word and deed, by the power of signs and wonders’ (Romans 15:18-19) (159). The missional communities that Paul founded are both like and unlike Paul in the way they lived out God’s mission. While Paul lays emphasis on telling the good news, he also exhorts them to live compelling lives and share in the suffering of others. Flemming sees the synthesis of word and deed, most clearly illustrated by the church at Philippi (201-7).
Chapters nine and ten explore 1 Peter and Revelation, respectively. Both of these books describe God’s mission in a world in an unfriendly world. 1 Peter, more than any other New Testament book, emphasizes the non-verbal dimension of mission (209). It describes a church pushed to the margins of society and draws heavily on the idea of being ‘set apart’ and being a ‘priest’ to the nations. Yet the community that Peter addresses is one which responded to the proclamation of the gospel and Peter expects that they will also share with words the hope they have in Christ. Revelation illustrates how to resist the powers–human and satanic which resist God’s rule. The alternative way of seeing the world which Revelation describes provides a vivid picture of our mission and its telos.
In chapter eleven, Flemming ties all the above together and concludes the book with some reflections on being, doing and telling. Word and deed belong together and Flemming argues that one should not take priority over the other, though personal gifting and circumstance may dictate that one is privileged. Both are necessary components of our sharing in God’s mission.
I really appreciated Flemming’s missional guide to the Bible. While there are gaps (1 Peter is the sole example from the General Epistles and the Old Testament chapters are brief), Flemming’s question of the Bible, ‘How do the verbal and non-verbal dimensions of our mission connect,’ bringss fruitful insights into how we should bear witness to God before our world. While Flemming’s model allows for some flexibility between how much of our personal witness is verbal or demonstrative, he dismisses approach to mission that our only verbal or only non-verbal. The former is words without power which divorces evangelism from the life of obedience. The latter fails to share ‘why we do what we do’ and offer hope to the watching world.
Flemming does a great job of putting word and deed together for Mission and I was challenged to both ‘do more’ and ‘say more.’ I think it a tremendous resource for helping us approach mission in a way that is healthy and holistic. By drawing on the biblical witness, Flemming is able to show that not every approach to mission will have the same make-up or emphasis (on being, doing or telling), but all the components are necessary for effective witness. Students and ministers will benefit from Flemming’s insights. I give the book 5 stars! ★★★★★
Thank you to IVP Academic for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
May 31, 2021
Good message, but it seemed to have four things to say. It then said those four things over and over and over.
1. Be the embodiment of the gospel
2. Tell people about the gospel
3. Do the work of the gospel
4. Do all of the above.* (*different amounts of each may be needed for different situations)
Overall, it was a good message, but it could've been chopped down.
1. Be the embodiment of the gospel
2. Tell people about the gospel
3. Do the work of the gospel
4. Do all of the above.* (*different amounts of each may be needed for different situations)
Overall, it was a good message, but it could've been chopped down.
February 14, 2014
In "Recovering the Full Mission of God: A Biblical Perspective on Being, Doing and Telling," Flemming seeks to find the middle ground between two aspects of mission: verbal witness (telling) and social justice (doing). In the introduction, he explains that the issue is more than just word versus deed. Instead, it concerns our very missional identity. He asks the question: “how do we embody the mission of God?” As a recent graduate from a Christian university, this question is extremely relevant.
Flemming provides a biblical foundation for missions. He starts by exploring Israel’s missional life and moves into the New Testament. He covers mission in the synoptic gospels, John’s gospel, Acts, Paul’s letters, and in Revelation. Each chapter ends with a conclusion that ties the chapter together. At the end of each chapter you will also find questions for reflection and further discussion.
Flemming writes: “Paul’s Gospel, then, is at its heart the powerful narrative of what God has done to redeem and transform the whole world in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. […] Paul does not feel compelled to recycle the same images and themes to explain the gospel of Christ in every letter. Rather he draws on whatever language is needed for the gospel to be incarnated in the life worlds of his mission communities” (p. 169). Paul had many motivations for his mission, but at the heart of his mission was the transforming love of God. Shouldn’t that be our motivation as well?
Perhaps Revelation is not generally included in conversations on missions, but those who do not include it are greatly missing out. As the conclusion to the canon, Revelation shows the completion of God’s story, but it’s not the end of our story as Christians. Revelation can serve as a key to missional hermeneutics. Flemming explores mission as shown in Revelation in chapter ten. Revelation reveals the goal of the biblical narrative and our goal: to bear witness. Revelation also “envisions what the church will be in relation to the world” (p. 237). Revelation shows the connection between witness and worship.
Mission is not easily fit into a box, and Flemming manages to explore mission in a holistic and charitable way. With experience as a missionary in various contexts and knowledge as a New Testament scholar, I am thankful for Flemming’s voice in the world of missions. If you are interested in learning what it means to be missional, I highly recommend this book as a very foundational starting place as you explore how to embody the mission of God.
Flemming provides a biblical foundation for missions. He starts by exploring Israel’s missional life and moves into the New Testament. He covers mission in the synoptic gospels, John’s gospel, Acts, Paul’s letters, and in Revelation. Each chapter ends with a conclusion that ties the chapter together. At the end of each chapter you will also find questions for reflection and further discussion.
Flemming writes: “Paul’s Gospel, then, is at its heart the powerful narrative of what God has done to redeem and transform the whole world in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. […] Paul does not feel compelled to recycle the same images and themes to explain the gospel of Christ in every letter. Rather he draws on whatever language is needed for the gospel to be incarnated in the life worlds of his mission communities” (p. 169). Paul had many motivations for his mission, but at the heart of his mission was the transforming love of God. Shouldn’t that be our motivation as well?
Perhaps Revelation is not generally included in conversations on missions, but those who do not include it are greatly missing out. As the conclusion to the canon, Revelation shows the completion of God’s story, but it’s not the end of our story as Christians. Revelation can serve as a key to missional hermeneutics. Flemming explores mission as shown in Revelation in chapter ten. Revelation reveals the goal of the biblical narrative and our goal: to bear witness. Revelation also “envisions what the church will be in relation to the world” (p. 237). Revelation shows the connection between witness and worship.
Mission is not easily fit into a box, and Flemming manages to explore mission in a holistic and charitable way. With experience as a missionary in various contexts and knowledge as a New Testament scholar, I am thankful for Flemming’s voice in the world of missions. If you are interested in learning what it means to be missional, I highly recommend this book as a very foundational starting place as you explore how to embody the mission of God.
October 10, 2014
This book is clearly indebted to Christopher J. H. Wright's much larger work "The Mission of God: Unlocking the Bible's Grand Narrative." In many ways, it reads like the Reader's Digest Condensed Books version of that work.
But that is not meant as a slander; in fact, that is what makes this such a good work. In less than half the time/pages, Flemming manages to convey the same message as Wright with arguably equal force and clarity.
Since I had previously read Wright's work in-depth, I was able to move through this book quickly (when I had the chance to pick it up). Those unfamiliar with Wright will want to perhaps move more slowly than I did.
Here's what I would suggest: pick up BOTH Flemming and Wright. For those who desire an in-depth study, begin with Wright, then follow up with Flemming as a good "summary." For those looking for a lighter beginning, start with Flemming and then work your way into Wright.
Either way, you won't be slighted...you'll be blessed.
But that is not meant as a slander; in fact, that is what makes this such a good work. In less than half the time/pages, Flemming manages to convey the same message as Wright with arguably equal force and clarity.
Since I had previously read Wright's work in-depth, I was able to move through this book quickly (when I had the chance to pick it up). Those unfamiliar with Wright will want to perhaps move more slowly than I did.
Here's what I would suggest: pick up BOTH Flemming and Wright. For those who desire an in-depth study, begin with Wright, then follow up with Flemming as a good "summary." For those looking for a lighter beginning, start with Flemming and then work your way into Wright.
Either way, you won't be slighted...you'll be blessed.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews