DALLAS, Texas – India is the statistical center of gravity for the population that has never heard of Jesus Christ, reported a preeminent expert on global Christianity Saturday.
The demographic term “statistical center of gravity” means there is an equal number of a people or type of people to the north, south, east and west of a specific point, which in the case of unreached people is found in India.
For Christianity, the statistical center of gravity is found in Mali and is moving towards Nigeria.
“The thing that strikes me is the enormous geographical distance between these [Christian and unreached centers], but it also represents to me a cultural distance,” commented Dr. Todd Johnson, research fellow and director of the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Boston.
Johnson was speaking Saturday at the International Society for Frontier Missiology (ISFM) conference being held Sept. 15-17 in Dallas. The title of this year’s conference is India: Debating Global Missiological Flashpoints.
“To me this picture is not just a bunch of statistics being mapped,” Johnson noted, “But there is something here that is speaking to us about this gap [between Christians and unreached center].”
The former editor of the International Journal of Frontier Missiology pointed out that lack of contact between Christians and non-Christians is a “serious breach” in biblical responsibility.
“Christians have to live and know and listen and work among all the people of the world,” emphasized the global church expert.
Johnson pointed to several statistics which highlight the great potential to reach non-Christians, but the failure of believers to share the Good News with people of other faiths.
He noted how:
• Research indicates the most responsive people to Christianity are Hindu, Muslim, Buddhists;
• Most Christian outreach never reach non-Christians – over 90 percent of all Christian evangelism are aimed at other Christians; and
• 86 percent of the world’s Hindus, Muslim, and Buddhists do not personally know a Christian.
“I think it is an interesting irony that God himself has prepared the peoples for the Gospel message, but we tend to be slow in contacting and being incarnational witness among these peoples,” Johnson concluded.
Other speakers at the conference include Dr. Ralph D. Winter, founder of the U.S. Center for World Mission and ISFM; Herb Hoefer, former missionary to India for nearly 20 years; and Jim Slack, consultant and analyst of global evangelism and church growth at the International Mission Board (IMB)’s Department of Research.
Frontier mission is an area of missiology which focuses on reaching the people with the least access to the Christian gospel. Innovative strategies and cutting-edge mission are characteristics of this field of mission.
Comments
truthprevails > Okay, you found heresy in Joseph Smith. That's fine. Keep looking. Do you think a man can be saved by " A. Be a nice person." or " B. Make Jesus the Lord of his life?" While this sounds kind of lofty, it is NOT a requirement for salvation according to the KJV.
What about " D. God has already predestined who will (and won’t) be saved." Surely you don't accept that you had no part in your salvation and you were predestined to go to Hell in spite of anything you could do about it? The Calvinist theologians and preachers actually TEACH this stuff!
Don't stop at D. Look at the rest of the list. If you've been listening to a preacher, you'd be well advised to go back and compare everything you've learned with the Bible to see if it is true or if you've been fed a carefully prepared false religion.
“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ
“And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
“Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works” (II Corinthians 11:13-15).
BOC560
[Alex12 said, "....if you are trying to save someone through Joseph Smith you don't know how ]
Alex, oh my. If you read through that list and only found a problem with Joseph Smith, you disappoint me greatly. The point that I was trying to make is that there is only one way of salvation according to the KJV.
Concerning Joseph Smith, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is considered as much a “Christian” church as the Pentecost, Baptist, Catholic, Universalist and Methodist churches. As you can see, claiming to BE a “Christian” doesn’t distinguish you from heathen beliefs.
In the push to “unite” all the “Christian” religions, they have included everything from Benny Hinn and Joseph Smith to Jim Jones and they call all of them “Christian.” While the theologians and preachers are very lenient on what they accept into Heaven, God does NOT!
Take another look at that list again, Alex and see if you can find more heresy than just the one on Joseph Smith. The American people seem to be deeper in the dark that I thought possible. This should not be surprising however, considering the many false doctrines of the church leaders.
BOC560
I agree, I think that list needs to be looked at. If you are going to save someone you have to know how to save them and if you are trying to save someone through Joseph Smith you don't know how.
Hi BOC560, You said "C. Seek atonement by the divine lineage of Joseph Smith." and you make me laugh... :D :D
Joseph Smith is nobody, he is NO WAY leading to the way the life and the truth told by Jesus. He is a fake prophet to deceive people.
Why would you want to go into the mission field to give the heathen the “Christian” gospel when you cannot express the basic concept of “Christian” salvation? World missionary outreach should be abandoned until you can determine how a man is saved. You have nothing to offer these people but your own confusion. Here’s a quiz with one question:
The way for man to be made “right” with God is:
A. Be a nice person.
B. Turn from sin and make Jesus the Lord of his life.
C. Seek atonement by the divine lineage of Joseph Smith.
D. God has already predestined who will (and won’t) be saved.
E. God loves everybody so nothing is required of him.
F. Attain atonement by a blessing from the priest.
G. Rely entirely upon Jesus’ sacrifice and righteousness.
H. Assure his “good” deeds outnumber his “bad” deeds.
F. There is no trinity so he must appease “Jesus only.”
G. Keep the law of Moses.
H. Keep only some of the law of Moses. (water baptism, tithe and repent often)
I. Keep the law of Moses omitting all but the 10 Commandments.
J. Ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit (he will begin speaking in an “unknown” language).
K. Pray to the saints to intercede for him to be accepted by God.
L. Ask for forgiveness, be water baptized and sealed by the Holy Spirit.
M. Ask for forgiveness, be water baptized and strive earnestly to live the “Christian Life” that he doesn’t fall from grace.
N. Ask for forgiveness, be water baptized and strive earnestly to live the “Christian Life” seeking that he might receive the “2nd Work of Grace to become perfect.
O. Pray the “Prayer of Faith” that whatsoever he asks in the name of Jesus be granted.
P. Follow his conscience and attend church regularly.
Q. Follow his conscience and express remorse for any transgressions.
R. Find a professional “holy man” to guide him into righteousness with God.
S. Come forward at a Billy Graham (or similar) crusade and receive prayer.
T. Express remorse and ask Jesus to come into his heart.
U. Work out his salvation with God by making a “deal” that is mutually acceptable.
V. Follow his conscience, do good deeds and hope that it was enough in the end.
W. Attend church on Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas and don’t kill anybody.
X. Attend “church” by placing hands on his TV and asking to be blessed.
Y. Ask at least 3 “Christians” to lay hands on him and ask God to receive him.
Z. (He can place his own salvation requirements here _______________)
Instructions: Pick one (or any combination) of the requirements listed above.
Now, just enjoy peace, knowing God is satisfied with your selection and will honor it.
What could be simpler?
Seriously speaking, God isn’t so lenient as the “Christian” preachers. He has a specific requirement and He tells us the way is narrow. Few will find it. We cannot rely on the “professional holy men” to provide guidance because their motivation is power, numbers, money and prestige.