Canon and Mission

The theme of this book is that the biblical canon, read as a whole, calls for mission, and mission emerges from and always has need of the biblical canon for its witness in and to the world. The Bible, from Genesis to Revelation is, according to Beeby, a "handbook of mission."

He expresses concern over certain critical approaches to the Bible that identify "authentic" texts and ignore other texts because of their dubious origins or value. Still, he acknowledges differences and difficulties within the Bible but suggests that it be seen and a whole, in its entirety, as a "unity of unities." Specifically, he proposes the Exodus theme as a way of understanding both the canonical unity of the Bible and Christianity''s mission in today''s world, a mission that must include interfaith dialogue.

The canon moves from creation to new creation, Beeby writes, and this movement of renewal, restoration, and redemption is through a sent (missio) nation, son, and community.

H. Dan Beeby has served as a missionary in China and Professor of Old Testament at Taiwan Theological College. He is the author of Grace Abounding: A Commentary on the Book of Hosea, and is currently Consultant to the British and Foreign Bible Society.