Original Research: Historical Thought and Source Interpretation

Missio Dei’s complexity prefaced in synergism

Jonas S. Thinane
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies | Vol 79, No 2 | a8611 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v79i2.8611 | © 2023 Jonas S. Thinane | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 07 March 2023 | Published: 20 July 2023

About the author(s)

Jonas S. Thinane, Department of Research Institute for Theology and Religion, College of Human Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa

Abstract

Augustine’s thoughts on human salvation not only influenced early Protestant theology but also dominated the conceptualisation of the missio Dei from the perspective of the 1952 Willingen Conference. His doctrine of synergism arguably only manifested much later in the conception of the missio Dei, which anticipated human obedience or active participation in the mission to attain the goal of human salvation. The idea of synergism in this regard, or in the context of the missio Dei, is that while salvation remains an unmerited gift of grace through faith in Jesus Christ, God prescribes human cooperative involvement in its attainment. In this way people do not become unresponsive recipients of God’s grace, but active and willing participants in a mission of salvation. With this in mind, this article examined the available literature on the topic of synergism in order to provide further insights into the conceptualisation of the missio Dei. The account of Noah in Genesis 5:32–10:1 and the Great Commission in Matthew 28:16–20 were used to redefine the doctrine of synergism or its relevance in the context of the missio Dei.

Contribution: This article recalled the doctrine of synergism in order to enrich the complex understanding of the missio Dei, essentially adding new knowledge in the field of missiology.


Keywords

triune God; missio Dei; synergism; Augustine; salvation; complexity.

Sustainable Development Goal

Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals

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Crossref Citations

1. Missio Dei and Missio Hominum: Top-Down-up Christology in Mission
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E-Journal of Religious and Theological Studies  first page: 362  year: 2024  
doi: 10.38159/erats.202410104