MISSION AS ACTION IN HOPE

 

 The concept of “mission as action in hope” is popularized by David Bosch who, in borrowed the term from Margull who used the concept “hope in action” to refer to the evangelism dimension of the church’s missionary calling. David Bosch refers “mission as action in hope” as a part of the emerging ecumenical missionary paradigm (like: mission as the church with others, mission as Missio Dei, mission as a mediator of salvation, mission as a search for justice, mission as evangelization, mission as contextualization, mission as liberation, mission as inculturation, mission as common witness, mission as service to the entire people of God, mission as witness to people of other living faiths and mission as theology).

 For David Bosch’s the concept “mission as action in hope” is tied to a revival of the doctrine of eschatology, but one that seeks to bring something from the future into the present, bringing about a creative tension between "now" and "future". He discusses about the shift of mission theology from the “hope for future” to “hope in the here and now.” Earlier mission theologians were concerned with eschatology and the result/aim of mission to be that of future glory and redemption; this concept is however now replaced by the theology that God is active throughout the history (both past and present).

He has revealed Himself to humanity through His acts in the history, therefore God is a god who actively works in the history and is part of it, rather that something that is to be found only in the future. According to Smith (1997), belief in hope emerged as a new theological approach in the 1960s. Its leading proponent was the German theologian Jürgen Moltmann, who believed that God's promise to act in the future is more important than the fact that he has acted in the past. He called on the Christian community not to withdraw from public life, but to actively participate in the world and help bring about a better world. The Christian is to be seen as a "hope" who is impatient with evil and death in the present age. 

This belief has had a lot of influence and influence on our church world. African theologians call for a theology of hope in the face of poverty, HIV and AIDS and other human suffering. Theologians such as O. Cullmann, W. Freytag and K. Hartenstein developed the theological basis of missiology from an eschatological perspective. From the history of salvation, the coming and second coming of Christ are seen as limiting the path from the kingdom of God to present and future reality. The gospel should first be preached to all mankind throughout the world, including the cities; then there will be the second coming and the dawning of the new Jerusalem (cf. Matthew 24:14 and Mark 13:10). 

Through the mission of the church, something of the future coming of the kingdom of God is realized. Oscar Cullmann contributed a great deal in the twentieth-century debate regarding the relationship between mission and eschatology. In his "Eschatology and Mission in the New Testament", Cullmann managed to outline that the missionary work of the church is an eschatological harbinger of the Kingdom of God, and the Biblical hope of the “end”. In the light of the final consummation of God's kingdom, the church should proclaim the good news to the world. 

For most, the theology of Hope is understood as a theology that seeks to affirm life of God’s people in the midst of suffering and death based on the resurrection power of Jesus, which not only identified with God's people in their shame and rejection, but also accompanied him on their journey through life in pain and suffering, until he shamefully hung on the cross for them, was buried and resurrected, thereby confirming the life of those who identify with him. The Biblical basis of the theology of hope according to D. Mashau First, theology of hope is based on the person and ministry of Jesus Christ. 

He became our Immanuel (God with us) as He humbled Himself and identified with fallen humanity in their shame and rejection. His ministry was characterised by mercy and compassion, such that he also accompanied them in their journey of pain and suffering until He paid for their debts by hanging shamefully on the cross (Philippians 2:5-11). Second, the theology of hope is based on the power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Christian faith recognizes that God approved Christ's sacrificial death on the cross by raising him from the dead, making him the firstborn of those who would rise from the dead. Christians now live in anticipation of a better future. 

Third, the theology of hope has implications for the present. It gives the church strength to hold on to the faith in the midst of difficulties. The Church Militant continues to strive in the midst of all tribulation in the hope of a better future, a future where they will triumph when earth and heaven and all of the redeemed humanity are restored (Revelation 21). 

 Fourth, the theology of hope does not encourage a spirit of withdrawal from the world and its problems. On the contrary, it encourages Christians to engage meaningfully in the fight against evil and suffering in this world.

 This encourages the Church to identify and accompany those who are suffering as they walk through life without compassion and compassion. In his healing model, James teaches that belief in hope is what is most needed in a world of intense pain and suffering.​—James 4:13-18. In D. Mashau, "The Purpose of the Hope Study in the Context of White Poverty in Pretoria: The Case of the Ministry of Labor in Bethlehem". There is also an appendix to David Bosch's Transformation Mission.

 

In conclusion, having a mission as action in hope is a powerful force that drives individuals and communities to bring about positive change. It represents the fusion of purpose and optimism, igniting the passion within us and empowering us to make a difference. By embracing our missions and acting upon our hopes, we can create a world that is more compassionate, sustainable, and fulfilling for all. So let us embark on our journeys with hope in our hearts and unwavering determination, for our missions can shape not only our destinies but the course of humanity as well.