Join the conversation on Scripture in Mission
The purpose of the Scriptures as Paul wrote to Timothy is to make us wise about the way of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ and to equip us for every good work as God’s people (2 Timothy 3:14-17). The Scriptures therefore are essential to evangelism and to Christ-like transformation. However, where the Scriptures are not available or where people cannot study and apply them, we find “Bible poverty.”
In this conversation we want to consider the issue of “Bible poverty.” Bible poverty exists when people find themselves in a context or setting that blocks them from hearing the truths of the Scriptures. This happens, for example, when they do not have access to the Scriptures in a language they understand well, or they are unable to engage with the Scriptures in a meaningful way, or they do not have the opportunity to apply them to their lives.
Contexts such as these can be called “barriers.” Some barriers are universal or nearly so while others differ according to context. We want to consider what barriers exist in urban contexts, in rural contexts, in contexts where other major religions dominate, and in contexts of the post-modern West.
As we consider barriers to the Scriptures, we also want to identify the bridges that would allow people to transcend and overcome these barriers. In some cases the bridges are easy to identify, but in other cases they will require searching together under the guidance of the Spirit of God to discern the way forward.
How it Works
Select a conversation below and post a response at the bottom of that conversation page. Or start a new conversation by contributing an article, blog, video or other relevant content on the featured topics.People
jamesbcarroll
United States
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Harriet Hill
United States
Carlos Scott - Mision GloCal
Argentina
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Matt Brown
United States
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Grant Lovejoy
United States
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Lindsay_Olesberg
United States
Andrew Jones
United Kingdom
Kagiso
South Africa
Ruth Padilla Deborst
Costa Rica
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John_Scott
United States
Featured Conversations
- Why is it so important to eliminate Bible poverty? Part 3
By John_Scott | Blog
United States
Topics: Scripture in Mission, Unreached People Groups
- Things we know that aren’t necessarily so: Part 2
By John_Scott | Blog
United States
Topics: Scripture in Mission
- Why is it so important to eradicate Bible Poverty? Part 2
By John_Scott | Blog
United States
Topics: Scripture in Mission, Unreached People Groups
- Authentic Evangelism
By Krish Kandiah | Research
United Kingdom
Topics: Truth & Pluralism, Globalization, Scripture in Mission
- Why is it so important to eradicate Bible Poverty? Part 1
By John_Scott | Blog
United States
Topics: Unreached People Groups, Scripture in Mission
- Bible Storying Troubles Some Pastors
By Grant Lovejoy | Blog
United States
Topics: Orality, Scripture in Mission, Forming Leaders
- Bible Understanding:Text and Cultural Context
By Harriet Hill | Blog
United States
Topics: Scripture in Mission
- Scripture In Mission: Three Major Priorities In Eradicating Bible Poverty
By ntobhamba | Cape Town 2010 Advance Paper
Australia
Topics: Scripture in Mission
- Major Priorities in Eradicating Bible Poverty #2
By ntobhamba | Blog
United States
Topics: Unreached People Groups, Orality, Scripture in Mission
- Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Gospel and Cultures
By Krish Kandiah | Article
United Kingdom
Topics: Scripture in Mission, Orality, Truth & Pluralism
Recent Responses
- Muito interessante e desafiador este artigo! Num primeiro momento causa incômodo, pois vivo num país com liberdade religiosa, com mais Bíblias do que o número…
MFernanda_Clemente - 09.09.2010 - In Response To:
Scripture In Mission: Three Major Priorities In Eradicating Bible Poverty 
- I couldn’t agree with you more. This pastor is nuts. Where is wisdom? Where are church leaders in Florida?
husseinwario - 09.09.2010 - In Response To:
International Burn a Koran Day: Flagrant and Irresponsible 
- You make such a key distinction that the new believers burnt their own books. We show serious un-Christian disrespect to our Muslim neighbour by burning…
Pete_Houston - 08.09.2010 - In Response To:
International Burn a Koran Day: Flagrant and Irresponsible 
- I put the BIBLE on a graph, the simple reason is for the realization that most people in the world aren’t wealthy, educated, and…
pr8t0n - 05.09.2010 - In Response To:
Scripture In Mission: Three Major Priorities In Eradicating Bible Poverty 
- How lovely, simple and true. Wonderful questions we all should ask ourselves. Thanks for your simplicity and clarity.
Joseph Paul Cadariu - 20.08.2010 - In Response To:
A personal charge from 2 Timothy 
- I appreciate you bringing out the need to teach the bible to bring about transformed lives.
Let’s help create a positive climate for receptivity to…
William_Tan - 19.08.2010 - In Response To:
Biblical Literacy causes Biblical Transformation - Hi Eric
thanks for your comments.
I would draw the line with ecumenism for evangelism along the Lausanne covenant (and the Evangelical Alliance statement of…
Krish Kandiah - 19.08.2010 - In Response To:
Authentic Evangelism - Hi LC Kenney,
Thanks for your response. Sorry it has taken me so long to respond.
I would agree that there are important differences…
ntobhamba - 19.08.2010 - In Response To:
Scripture In Mission: Three Major Priorities In Eradicating Bible Poverty - Thanks for the article. It seems that the intended audience is quite theologically educated and astute!
Can I make an observation? You quote Newbigin "church…
EricCheung - 17.08.2010 - In Response To:
Authentic Evangelism - I agree. This is certainly an interesting read. Perhaps this is yet another point that supports both the need for contextualizing the Gospel, as well…
Open_Mind - 16.08.2010 - In Response To:
You Say Up, I Say Yesterday
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