P R E - C U R S O R S T O T H E L A U S A N N E C O N G R E S S

The Lausanne Context

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Edinburgh 1910

Edinburgh 1910

Delegates: 1,200, mainly from America, England and Europe

Chairman: Rev. John R. Mott, an American Methodist

Theme: carrying the gospel to the whole non-Christian world

Results: beginning of the 20th century ecumenical movement

John R. Mott

Berlin 1966

Delegates: 1,200, from 100 countries, but strongly USA

Chairmen: Carl Henry and Billy Graham

Theme: One Race, One Gospel, One Task

Berlin 1966

After Berlin, Billy Graham recognized several additional needs:

gather a larger, more globally representative forum of evangelical leaders grapple with the issues of the day strategize to unite the evangelical church in the task of world evangelism.

The Issues of the Day

The organizers of Lausanne were determined to grapple with the real issues of the day. They were not content to limit their discussions to matters of strategy, because they recognized the need to answer the tough theological questions which stood in the way of the whole church taking the whole gospel to the whole world.

Issues for Lausanne 1974

unity, diversity and cooperation

evangelism and social concern

uniqueness of Christ

validity of missions

work of the Holy Spirit

religious liberty and human rights

relationship of the gospel to culture

Issue 1

1. The relationship of evangelism and social concern, raised by the rapid growth in awareness of poverty and injustice in the world and the effects of (natural and human-made) disasters.

Issue 1

The relationship of evangelism and social concern.

(A portion of an audio tape of Dr. Billy Graham addressing the 1974 Congress)

Issue 2

2. Unity, diversity and cooperation among Christians, raised by the post World War II development of the ecumenical movement in the World Council of Churches.

Issue 3

The uniqueness of Christ

Issue 3

The uniqueness of Christ

(a portion of an audio recording by Dr. Billy Graham at the 1974 Congress)

Issue 4

The validity of missions, raised by the call for a moratorium of missions

missions

Issue 4

Many Christians not only doubt that the goal is possible, but even question whether it is desirable...

(Audio recording of Dr. Billy Graham at the 1974 Congress)

missions

Issue 5

5. The work of the Holy Spirit in evangelism, raised by the rapid growth of Pentecostal and Charismatic churches.

Issue 6

6. Religious liberty and human rights, raised by heightening awareness through modern media of the infringement of these rights in many parts of the world.

Issue 7

7. The relationship of the gospel to culture, raised by its spread into many cultures and the self consciousness of these cultures in the post imperial independence movements.

J U S T F O R R E V I E W, H E R E I S A L I T T L E Q U I Z . . .

Review Quiz

Review Quiz – Questions 1 and 2 of 6

1. Who was the chairman of the World Missionary Conference?

_ Doug Birdsall _ Billy Graham _ John Mott _ James Kirk

2. Where was the World Missionary Conference held? _ New York _ Edinburgh _ Lausanne _ Berlin

Review Quiz – Questions 3 and 4 of 6

3. Which of these accurately describe important differences between Edinburgh 1910 and Lausanne 1974? (There is more than one correct answer.)

- Lausanne had more noble objectives and motives.- Lausanne included a significant representation from non-western

countries.- Lausanne was better planned and organized.- Lausanne placed greater emphasis on theological concerns.

4. The relationship of evangelism to social concern was a key issue for Lausanne because of pressure to redefine the “missions” in socio-political terms.

_ True_ False

Review Quiz – Questions 5 and 6 of 6

5. Which of these was NOT a key issue addressed at the Lausanne Congress?_ the purpose of God the Father _ the work of the Holy Spirit_ the validity of missions_ the uniqueness of Christ

6. Who said, “we should reject the idea of a moratorium on the sending of missionaries”?

_ Billy Graham_ John Stott_ Ralph Winter_ John Mott

Review Quiz - Answers

1. John Mott

2. Edinburgh

3. - Lausanne included a significant representation from non-western countries. - Lausanne placed greater emphasis on theological concerns.

4. True

5. the purpose of God the Father

6. Billy Graham

Congratulations!

You have completed this lesson.

Copyright @ 2009 All Rights Reserved.