Review of "The Open Secret" by Lesslie Newbigin

Lesslie Newbigin, The Open Secret: An Introduction to the Theology of Mission. Revised Edition. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1995.

In The Open Secret, Newbigin argues that as the church is now realizing the centrality of mission to its very identity, the structures of the church must be reordered based on a theological understanding of mission as originating in the Triune nature of God. Newbigin uses this framework of understanding mission to provide a missional identity for the church that is grounded in the confession “Jesus Christ is Lord.”

This book is a compilation of various lectures originally used to prepare missionaries, some of whom had little formal theological training. As such, Newbigin intentionally avoids making this a work of academic scholarship filled with footnotes and an extensive bibliography. However, it is apparent that Newbigin has researched his subject very closely. He uses biblical, historical, and theological sources to support his argument.

While examining mission as action for God’s justice, Newbigin dialogues with the liberation theologians of Latin America including Gustavo Gutierrez and Jose Miguez Bonino. While discussing church growth, conversion, and culture, Newbigin dialogues with missiologists Donald McGavran and Roland Allen. While discussing world religions, Newbigin draws John Hicks into the conversation. This type of critical dialogue enhances Newbigin’s argument by looking at what others are have said about that topic and whether or not it is consistent with the Trinitarian understanding of mission for which Newbigin argues. In some points, those drawn into the dialogue have important pieces to add. Other times, Newbigin points out how their thoughts are lacking in a Trinitarian understanding of mission.

The Open Secret is also replete with biblical references and quotations, from both the Old and New Testaments which support his thesis. For example, Newbigin uses the Gospels and Paul, rather than just looking at the Book of Acts, while in dialogue with Donald McGavran about the importance of numerical church growth. Additionally, he identifies the promise of blessing made to Abraham, the covenant made at Sinai and how the nation of Israel understood their role as an elect people in both the Old Testament and in the time of Jesus.

Newbigin begins with a historical background to how missions has been understood within the church – mainly as something which belonged to the exterior of church life. Mission is, however, now becoming understood as something in which the church must participate in order to be called the church. He then examines the questions regarding the authority for mission, concluding that the church cannot rely on its once-privileged position or on the Enlightenment’s use of science and reason, but rather on the witness that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Newbigin then roots mission in the doctrine of the Triune God. He then spends three chapters considering the work of mission as related to the character of each of the persons in the Trinity: proclaiming the kingdom of the Father, sharing the life of the Son, and bearing the witness of the Spirit. The reign and sovereignty of God is over all creation, yet it has only been revealed to an elect people who are to proclaim it to the other nations of the world. Newbigin expresses that proclaiming words are only the beginning; the Kingdom must also be enacted. With Jesus, the Kingdom became present. His disciples are, likewise, commissioned to not only proclaim but to perform deeds to authenticate its presence through specific actions in the world. Newbigin is quick to recognize that mission is not simply something the church does, but it is done by the Spirit, who is the witness that works through the church and the world.

After establishing this Trinitarian view of mission, Newbigin moves on to look at contemporary issues in mission through this lens. He understands that the proclamation of the gospel must not be separated from the doing of God’s justice in the world. He examines the relation between doing justice, preaching the gospel, crossing cultures, adding numerical growth, and how they are each to be viewed under a Trinitarian understanding of mission. Newbigin ends with by explaining the title of the book, The Open Secret, by stating that the gospel message is open to all, but it is a secret, only manifest only through faith.

Lesslie Newbigin roots mission in a proper understanding of the Trinitarian workings in the world and how to view mission from a Theocentric understanding of the Triune God rather than from an anthropomorphic starting point. There are a few key contributions to his method which I want to highlight.

First, one of the most helpful sections was Newbigin’s discussion of what it means to be an elect people. As non-Calvinists, we tend to avoid “elect” language rather than try to understand a biblical model for it. Newbigin explains how God has chosen particular peoples to carry out his universal purposes, how those peoples often misconstrue their elect-ness as a privilege over others rather than in humble servanthood for the other. This understanding is seen in ancient Israel as well as in the Church today.

Second, the approach Newbigin took to explain the validity of other religions was much better than the usual inclusivist/exclusivist/universalist model which is frequently used. Newbigin, while approaching other religions from a Christian perspective, does not belittle or simply dismiss the other religions as having nothing to say. He goes so far as to say that the place where all religions (including Christianity) meet God is not in the religious structures that try to reach God, but in the place where God has met us – namely, in the cross. Such a view supports Newbigin’s argument to view missions from a God-centered understanding rather than from a church-centered one.

Lesslie Newbigin’s The Open Secret is a book to which I will return often. Theologically, his insight into a Trinitarian understanding of mission will help me as I share about God’s mission with churches in the area as I prepare for missionary service. Practically, Newbigin’s dialogue with liberation theology, church growth, culture, missionary methods, and religious pluralism will aid in my own formation of beliefs and practices.