Why Every Missionary Should be a Theologian

What are the implications if missionaries don't know their theology? Alex and Scott tackle the essential question of whether every missionary should also be a theologian. Drawing from personal experiences and their work with ABWE, they emphasize that missionaries often find themselves as the primary or sole theological resource in pioneer settings. This reality necessitates a strong foundation in theology, even for those not serving in overt teaching roles. The discussion also explores the challenges missionaries face in cross-cultural theological communication, including the lack of access to theological resources in native languages, differing worldviews, the prevalence of insider movements, and syncretism. Key Topics The importance of theology in missions work and why every missionary must be a theologian Real-world implications of inadequate theological preparation in cross-cultural settings The influence of Greco-Roman thought on Western Christianity and its impact on theological expression Use of systematic theology and story-based biblical teaching to bridge cultural gaps The need for deeper engagement with doctrine to counter heresy and build resilient churches Download the transcript for this episode. God has already called many people to the mission field, but they need your support to get there. Help someone in Prefield get to where God is calling them by prayerfully supporting their ministry at abwe.org/Prefield. Do you love The Missions Show? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber! Premium Subscribers get access to: Exclusive bonus content A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts Invite-only webinars A free gift! Support The Missions Show and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionsshow.com/premium The Missions Show is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email [email protected].