Proceedings of the ISFM 2004 Meeting: Insider Movements The Key to Insider Movements: The “Devoted’s” of Acts by Kevin Higgins

his paper seeks to contribute to the ongoing conversation among missionaries about Insider Movements, movements to that T remain to varying degrees inside the social fabric of Islamic, Buddhist, Hindu, or other people groups. Ours is a highly controver- sial topic, and emotions sometimes run high, no matter which side of the contextualization “aisle” we find ourselves on. While many of us differ (even strongly) on many points, we can do so knowing that we all serve the same Master and all desire to see the gospel of Jesus Christ received, welcomed and embraced by all nations, tribes and tongues! And in this we can rejoice!

I write as a “thinking practitioner” who has worked among Muslims in North America, East Africa, and South Asia. In South Asia I have been honored to be a part of an emerging movement to Jesus that is gaining significant momen- tum among four people groups. In my role I have made many mistakes and will continue to make more. But my mistakes have always driven me back to the Scriptures and prayer, to further reflection and readjustment.

So are Insider Movements just a missiological fad? Are our conversations about these movements simply about the appropriateness of certain prag- matic, tactical approaches to contextualizing the gospel? Or are they actu- ally conversations about the nature of the gospel itself?

I believe that the debate about Insider Movements actually is a debate about the gospel, one as potentially earth-shaking as the Lutheran, Reformed, Anglican, and Anabaptist reform movements of the 16th century. Those Involved with Global Teams as movements were driven by the recovery of basic, foundational biblical truths a missionary since 1990, Kevin such as justification by faith, a gospel of grace, the priesthood of all believers, developed a work in a majority Muslim and the place of the in the life of the church and of the believer. And  country that has resulted in creative evangelism among eight language they forced church leaders to re-evaluate church practice and doctrine. groups and emerging people movements Similarly, I see Insider Movements as fueling (and being fueled by) a rediscov- in four of those. Kevin now serves as ery of the Incarnation, of a thoroughly biblical approach to culture and reli- Executive Director of Global Teams, recruiting missionaries, training, and gion, of the role of the Holy Spirit in leading God’s people to “work out” the coaching pioneer missionaries. gospel in new ways, and of an understanding of how God works in the world International Journal of Frontier Missions 21:4 Winter 2004•155 156 The Key to Insider Movements: The “Devoted’s” of Acts Kevin Higgins 157 within and beyond His covenant people. And we may be forced to he question of whether “Insider Movements” are re-evaluate some widely held ideas an appropriate goal of mission effort is actually and practices of our own. part of an older missiological conversation. Scope and Approach T This paper cannot address every The question of whether Insider their culture, including the religious life facet of what I see as an emerging Movements are an appropriate goal of the culture, as is biblically faithful. reformation. Nor is it my purpose of mission effort is actually part The Holy Spirit, through the Word and here to defend or develop that thesis. of an older missiological conversa- through His people will also begin to Rather, I will focus on two basic tion. In the second half of the 20th transform His people and their culture, issues that must be addressed in the century, thinkers such as McGavran religious life, and worldview. discussion of whether catalyzing and Tippett began to popularize the Such movements to Jesus will “Insider Movements” is an appropri- idea of “people movements.” One develop “church” forms, leadership ate aim of mission effort in the first assumption of the people movement structures, and theological work. place. We will consider those ques- concept was that people in many The specific forms of community, tions from two perspectives: parts of the world made decisions leadership, worship, and theological together rather than as individu- 1. “Insider Movements” in the discourse that develop within such als, and that such “togetherness” Bible? Does Scripture provide movements will emerge as lead- included tribal, caste, and other ers within the movement discover any models and dynamics of 1 healthy, vital movements to types of unity. biblical functions and express them Jesus? This question forces As I use it, the phrase “Insider by adopting and adapting existing us to articulate and address Movements” encompasses not only cultural forms from within their valid concerns about how such these earlier descriptions of people culture and . movements to Jesus develop movements but adds “religion” to on a foundation that is the above list of aspects of “togeth- Part I: Jesus Movements grounded in God’s word. erness” or unity. In other words, I in the Bible 2. Can a “movement to Jesus” be suggest that followers of Jesus can Now, I want to begin to address our an “Insider Movement”? What continue to embrace at least some of two major issues. First, what are the is the relationship between their people’s religious life, history, models and dynamics of a healthy, the emerging Jesus movement and practice without compromising vital movement to Jesus? (and its biblical worldview and the gospel or falling into syncretism. discipleship) and the worldview, Every movement to Jesus is in some religious life, and cultural Indeed, I will attempt to show from way an Insider Movement. Every context inside of which the the Scriptures that, at least in some movement to Jesus is inside of some movement is “moving,” so to sense, the gospel can actually fulfill culture or some aspects of a culture. speak? This question forces us or complete certain aspects of the In addition, movements to Jesus, no to articulate and address valid religion of a people group. The exact matter what culture they are “inside,” concerns about how such move- nature of such fulfillment will vary are movements that bring families, ments to Jesus develop within greatly from context to context, tribes, groups, and individuals into a the cultural and religious and more specifically from reli- saving relationship and new experi- framework of their particular context. Here we need a bibli- gion to religion. ences of community in Jesus. cal theology of culture and of Now, let me offer a summary of the But what exactly would that look God’s involvement in it. above points to serve as a working like? How do we know there is a definition of the term “Insider movement? What biblical model Insider Movements: Movement.” or models can we discover that describe healthy movements? Can A Working Definition Insider Movement: A growing number the dynamics of such a movement be of families, individuals, clans, and/or Before addressing those two major described in such a way that we can friendship-webs becoming faithful dis- questions, we need to be sure what use the model to assist us in our own ciples of Jesus within the culture of their it is we’re talking about. I know of ministries among the unreached? Or people group, including their religious no generally accepted definition for to avoid “killing” such movements culture. This faithful discipleship will an “Insider Movement,” so I will try (by failing to develop them fully or express itself in culturally appropri- to define how I use the term. Let us by inadvertently squelching a key ate communities of believers who will begin with some background. dynamic and thus not allowing an also continue to live within as much of emerging movement to blossom)? International Journal of Frontier Missions 21:4 Winter 2004 156 The Key to Insider Movements: The “Devoted’s” of Acts Kevin Higgins 157

I believe the Book of Acts provides “devoted” refers to passionate and and example of the apostles and their such a model, and gives us clear consistent prayer by people within writings.3 descriptions of the dynamics of such the movement as well. Prayer is both This “devoted” includes a commit- a movement. I refer to these dynam- a sign of an authentic movement, ment not only to right apostolic ics as “keys” and see at least some and a source of the spiritual vitality doctrine, but also to right apostolic of those keys in Luke’s use of the unleashed in such movements. ministry. It is not only the message Greek word proskartereo. The Second “Devoted”: of the apostles that we’re to learn Usually translated “devoted” in our The Apostles’ Teaching and embrace but also their method English , this interesting word and Fellowship of ministry. How did they commu- is used in a number of other ways. The English text of Acts 2:42 nicate the gospel, plant churches, For example, in Acts 10:7, proskarte- might lead us to assume there are and build leaders? Being devoted to reo refers to the devotion of one of four “devoted’s” in this one verse. the apostles’ teaching and fellowship Cornelius’ servants to Cornelius However in Greek the word pros- means seeking to do apostolic work and could be rendered as “service.” kartereo is only used twice. First, the the apostolic way. The word can also have the sense of This also implies that Insider “continuing with” or “staying with” Movements will not be isolated someone or something, as in Acts from—and independent of—other 8:13 where Simon is said to “continue movements to Jesus. Being in the with Phillip” following his baptism. Insider Movements apostles’ fellowship would seem to Of the seven uses of the word in imply some sort of connection to other Acts, six seem to describe dynamics will not be isolated apostolic movements. This is certainly of the emerging Jesus movement, from—or independent the pattern we see in Acts: a connec- and I will focus on those.2 The vari- tion between the emerging Jewish and ous things or practices to which the of—other movements Gentile movements flowing respec- early church was “devoted” describe, tively from Jerusalem and Antioch. in my view, the key dynamics of a to Jesus. vital and healthy movement. The Third “Devoted”: The Breaking of Bread and The First “Devoted”: Prayer the Prayers The word “devoted” first appears church was devoted to “the apostle’s The second coupling in Acts 2:42 in Acts 1:14 where we find the 120 teaching and fellowship” and sec- refers to the closely linked “break- devoting themselves to united prayer ondly, it was devoted to “the break- ing of bread” and “the prayers.” as they wait for the promise referred ing of bread and the prayers.” Here The context seems to support the to in Acts 1:8. we will deal with the first of those interpretation that the former term Indeed, in the movements to Jesus two “devoted’s.” refers to early celebrations of the that we see exploding in Acts among The early church in Acts was Lord’s Supper, probably within the the Jews of Jerusalem, Hellenized devoted to the teaching or doctrine context of a real meal, rather than Jews, and Gentiles, devotion to of the apostles and to being in fel- a separate and isolated religious prayer is a key dynamic. In fact it lowship, or koinonia, with them. ceremony apart from a meal (as is seems clear in Luke’s overall design This refers not only to a commit- commonly practiced in the West and that devotion to prayer was a lesson ment to apostolic truth, but also in western-influenced church move- 4 first learned by the disciples in their points to a relational partnership ments around the world). walk with Jesus Himself. with the company of the apostles. It That “breaking bread” is closely Biblically authentic Insider refers to learning from the apostles, linked in the grammar of the Greek Movements are not primarily a joining with the apostles, and text with “the prayers” shows us the missiological strategy or a program. receiving from and sharing with the importance already being placed They are a spiritual phenomenon apostles’ ministry. upon the Lord’s Supper in the early driven by the Sovereign Lord Authentic Insider Movements will church. “The prayers” are best through the prayers of His people. be devoted to the apostolic witness understood, not merely as a general Prayer will be a major dynamic in to Christ as we find it in the New reference to “prayer” as a spiritual authentic movements to Jesus. Testament. Insider Movements will discipline (private or corporate), but more specifically as prescribed In missions, we have increasingly develop leaders and tools to facilitate prayers in the Temple. The early and rightly emphasized interces- the process of plumbing the depths believers were devoted to expres- sion for movements to Jesus, but this of Scripture so as to apply it to new situations in keeping with the message sions of worship that included the International Journal of Frontier Missions 21:4 Winter 2004 158 The Key to Insider Movements: The “Devoted’s” of Acts Kevin Higgins 159

Relevant to our discussion is the hey have argued from this passage and others interaction between Namaan and that a biblical precedent exists for new believers Elisha following Namaan’s healing. The miracle convinces Namaan that from to remain in the mosque. the God of Israel is the true God. T He wants to reward the prophet but Lord’s Supper and Temple prayers, 2:46 says that the early church was upon being refused this honor he though clearly not in the same event devoted to meeting in the Temple makes a twofold request instead. or ceremony. and from “house to house.” First, he asks for two bags of dirt. There is an important point here First, we will examine the issue of Why Naaman makes this request that could easily be missed. On the meeting in the Temple. In light of is not clear from the text. It may be one hand, proponents of Insider Peter’s habit of going to the temple at that Namaan still has a territorial Movements might point to this set times for prayer (Acts 3) and the understanding of the gods and thus, devotion to “the prayers” as a biblical believers’ devotion to “the prayers,” while he genuinely desires to honor model of a community of disciples clearly the best reading of Acts 2:46 is Israel’s God as the true God, he that remains within the religious that the early church not only contin- may see the dirt as a way of some- forms that shaped its life prior to ued in Temple and synagogue wor- how “bringing God” with him to conversion to Christ. Whether that ship, but they were “devoted” to this. Assyria. If so, we have an example of is a right application is a question to Proponents of Insider Movements, a believer who is genuinely “con- which we will return below. This especially among Muslims, have verted,” but is still undergoing the question involves the complex issue of pointed to possible parallels here. long process of having his worldview how far the model of a movement that They have argued from this passage fully transformed by his new faith emerged within can authenti- and others that a biblical prec- and experience. cally be applied within other religious edent exists for new believers from contexts such as Islam or . Namaan’s second request is even Islam to remain in the mosque and more directly related to our question However, the fact that Luke links continue to practice other religious about possible biblical precedents “the prayers” with the Lord’s Supper expressions of Islamic life. for Insider Movements. Namaan here shows us that even as the new Opponents of this position argue asks Elisha to forgive him because community continued to embrace the that the parallel is ill conceived when he returns to Assyria he will Temple prayers, it also added major because Islam (or, say, Hinduism) accompany his king into the temple new emphases and interpretations. does not occupy the same position of Rimmon to bow down in worship The early church was devoted to “the in salvation history as Judaism. This there. Elisha’s response? Go in peace. prayers” but in same breath reference debate cannot really be settled on Now Namaan is one “convert,” not is made to the radically reinterpreted the basis of the Acts texts alone. Passover supper that had been inau- a movement. And Elisha’s “Go gurated by Jesus Himself. One might ask if there are any other in peace” is given in response to biblical precedents for movements to a request for forgiveness. But the The practice of this meal by the Jesus that remain in some way inside text is an example of a follower of early church transformed the Jewish of another religious “skin.” Of particu- another religion who becomes a rite in at least two ways. First, its lar interest will be examples in which believer in the true God and yet meaning was dramatically altered. new believers remained connected to continues to worship the true God Second, the frequency of observance a culture within a religious context within the religious life and prac- changed and eventually came to be a that was not Jewish. This discussion tices of his prior religion. Not only weekly event, rather than an annual requires a slight excursus at this point is it a description, but also the text Passover celebration. to examine just two possible examples. includes the clear blessing of the We can draw an important conclu- prophet upon the practice. sion from this. Insider Movements, Excursus: Two Biblical Precedents Namaan and the Temple of Rimmon In this text we find at least one case even as they continue to embrace old where God blesses “remaining inside.” forms and expressions, also bring in In 2 Kings 5 we read the fascinat- radically new meanings and truths. ing story of Namaan and Elisha. The Samaritan Woman Namaan is the commander of the and the Two Mountains The Fourth “Devoted”: armies of Israel’s enemy. He is a John 4 describes the familiar story Meeting in the Temple pagan Assyrian whose king worships of the woman at the well. I have and House to House the god Rimmon. written in greater detail about this in This “devoted” continues a theme another article5 and will not repeat introduced in “devoted” three. Acts International Journal of Frontier Missions 21:4 Winter 2004 158 The Key to Insider Movements: The “Devoted’s” of Acts Kevin Higgins 159

the details here. But this story makes two days will presumably continue in within the emerging Jerusalem at least two relevant points. its prior Samaritan religious life with movement. Verse 4 shows that they The first point concerns the a major difference: Jesus’ revelation clearly understood an important woman’s question about worship. of Himself has changed them. principle of their calling and of movements. They saw that for the Jesus’ answer to her question is Back to Acts and the “Devoted’s” rather shocking if we put ourselves movement to grow, their leadership As we have seen, Acts 2:46 is not in Jewish shoes. He replies that would need to remain devoted to the only example in Scripture where true worship will not be found in prayer and “the word.” people came to authentic faith in Samaria or in Jerusalem. Instead, He the true God and yet remained in In the context of Acts, “the word” calls the woman (and us) to embrace some way connected to their prior refers not simply to the internal the worship of the Father in spirit religious practices and culture. So, teaching of the word to believers, and truth. while I would grant that Judaism but to the spreading of the word But later in John we find Jesus to not-yet-believers. This is con- Himself in the Temple. So, what firmed by Act 6:6, where the result of His statement that true wor- of this “devotion” is that the word ship would not be in Samaria or “grew” and “spread” (it is also worth in Jerusalem? Clearly His vision of [T]he opposition that noting that a great number of priests “worship in spirit and truth” (that is became obedient to the faith). neither in Samaria or Jerusalem) did the early believers would Movements to Jesus will remain not preclude Him from continuing to have encountered in “movements” if they embrace this worship in Jerusalem, one of the loca- principle of keeping key leadership tions He said would not be a place for the Temple provides a focused on the spread of the word. true worship. If, as we nurture a new movement And it is logical to assume that strong parallel to Islamic we neglect this important dynamic, the Samaritans did the same after contexts. we risk cutting off the flow of new Jesus left their village. After their believers, thus choking off the conversion recorded in John 4, they growth of the movement.7 worshipped in spirit and in truth. is in fact a different case than, say, The Sixth “Devoted”: But they did so in Samaria (in their Islam, the parallel still holds. When Relational Discipleship prior place of worship) just as Jesus we consider that the worship in the In Acts 8, Simon, a new convert, worshipped the Father in spirit and Temple was led by priests who did in truth in Jerusalem, in the Temple. is baptized. Phillip, himself a not follow Jesus (and in fact many fairly new convert, has evangelized That this episode is an example of them had likely voted to con- him. This, in and of itself, is a key of an Insider Movement is further demn Jesus to death), the opposition movement dynamic. Phillip was suggested by a second feature of the that the early believers would have appointed in Acts 6 to serve tables, passage. After Jesus spends two days encountered in the Temple provides then used by God to share with the in the Samaritan village, the villag- a strong parallel to Islamic contexts Ethiopian, then whisked away and ers affirm that they now believe Jesus (more on that in the second half of then used of God in Simon’s life. is the Savior of the world. Then this paper). Phillip has baptized Simon. And he Jesus leaves. What does He leave Not only did the Insider Movement has baptized him rather quickly.8 behind? A group of believers.6 of the early chapters of Acts meet in Note that this is a new convert It is impossible to question John’s the Temple (where worship was not baptizing another new convert. And intention in making that point. In led by believers and was not sup- the model of discipleship? Simon the drama of his Gospel, John com- portive of the new community’s faith “continues with” Phillip (Acts 8:13), pares the response of the Samaritans in Jesus as the and Lord), it showing that the movement con- (and later of the Greeks who seek was also devoted to meeting in homes. tinued to follow Jesus’ own highly for Jesus at the festival in Jerusalem) So a new structure for fellowship and relational model for making and with the responses to Jesus from community and nurture emerged to multiplying disciples. New disciples among the Jews. The Samaritans are sustain the believers in the movement. make new disciples, including bap- examples of people who believe and tizing and mentoring them through accept Jesus. The Fifth “Devoted”: Leaders Devoted to the Word and Prayer a relational, “life-on-life” process. The believing but “young” com- In Acts 6, we find the apostles wres- So far we have identified six keys or munity Jesus leaves behind after only tling with the problems of growth dynamics of movements to Jesus in

International Journal of Frontier Missions 21:4 Winter 2004 160 The Key to Insider Movements: The “Devoted’s” of Acts Kevin Higgins 161 the book of Acts. These six keys can be described and measured; they’re he promotion of Insider Movements does not imply either happening in a movement that the missionary or “insider” leader assumes or they’re not. In our work it has become a regular part of ministry everything in a culture is pleasing to God. evaluation and planning to occa- T The above four markers describe be seen as in any way preparatory sionally ask ourselves whether we’re insiders (people from within the for the gospel, and thus in some doing these things and whether we movement) from the point of view of sense “fulfilled,” when the gospel is see others doing these things in the their actions, as well as the dynam- embraced? movement. To summarize, these six ics of a movement. The first three I would like to begin here by offering dynamics are: “selves” (borrowed from Henry Venn some introductory thoughts towards 1. Prayer and Rufus Anderson) are an attempt a biblical theology of God’s work 2. Apostles teaching and to summarize the material from Acts, in cultures and religion. In view of fellowship while the fourth marker or “self” space constraints, I will focus on one 3. Breaking bread and the describes critical contextualization passage: Acts 17. prayers carried on by insiders. 4. Remaining in “the A Theology of Culture and Temple” and meeting Drawing upon these four “selves,” Religion in Acts 17:16ff. “from house to house” we have developed a tool with more First, let me attempt to dispel what 5. Developing structures detailed descriptions of these four I consider a “myth” about Paul’s visit that keep key leadership dynamics, which we incorporate into to Athens in Acts 17. A widespread focused on the spread of an annual re-examination of the opinion seems to be that Acts 17 9 the word and prayer ministry of each pioneer team. represents a sort of anomaly for 6. Relational Discipleship. Summary: Part I Paul; that is, Paul experimented In my own organization, Global in Athens with a “contextualized” So far we have attempted to outline Teams, we have been trying to find approach to presenting the gospel. six dynamics or keys to healthy and ways to describe movements and Disappointed in the results, he vital movements to Jesus. We tried their dynamics in practical and returned to a straight and simple to show some of the biblical bases for tangible ways so that our work and proclamation of the Cross, accord- such movements remaining, to some prayers can be focused on doing the ing to his own testimony in the early degree, within the religious context things that actually promote the chapters of 1 Corinthians. in which they are birthed and spread. kind of movement Acts decribes. However, this viewpoint founders on In several contexts we have been Now we need to examine the ques- two counts. First, Acts 17 is not an working with the following four tion of Insider Movements more anomaly; Paul had used almost the “markers” of healthy and vibrant closely from the perspective of the same method of presentation in Acts movements to Jesus: religious context inside of which 14 as well. Luke presents this as a we’re arguing that they take can 1. Self-Propagating: Leaders from method Paul used regularly, depending place. We need to engage the issue within the movement are plan- upon his hearers and his context.10 ning and doing Evangelism, of how a biblical movement to Jesus Church Multiplication, and can be in any sense also an Insider Second, the Corinthian correspon- Cross-Cultural Mission Movement. dence itself contains the clearest Sending. and perhaps best known of Paul’s 2. Self-Governing: The movement Part II: Insider Movements: statements on “contextualization.” regularly and intentionally mul- The Relationship to The famous “Jew to the Jew” and tiplies its own leadership, and is Culture and Religion “Greek to the Greek” passage (1 Cor responsible before God for all 9:19-22) is descriptive of Paul’s decisions concerning the work. Let’s assume a healthy movement ministry “habit.” 3. Self-Supporting: The movement, to Jesus is emerging among people through the stewardship of its “Z”. What is the relationship of the In today’s western church culture we disciples and/or other enter- emerging Jesus movement (and its might refer to this as Paul’s vision prises governed by leaders in the biblical worldview and discipleship) and mission statement. His vision movement, funds its own inter- to the worldview, religious life, and was to see all saved. His mission was nal operations and ministries. cultural context inside of which the to become all things to all men that 4. Self-Theologizing: The movement movement is “moving”? Can any by all means he might save some. Far is actively engaged in the ongo- of the culture (especially religious from “rethinking” his approach in ing process of doing thorough culture) be incorporated and kept? Athens, he seems to reaffirm it. biblical theology “in culture.” Beyond that, can any of the culture International Journal of Frontier Missions 21:4 Winter 2004 160 The Key to Insider Movements: The “Devoted’s” of Acts Kevin Higgins 161

Now we turn to Acts 17. c. From the altar Paul moves to Jesus, whom he had named in creation. Here again Paul’s Athens prior to being invited to First, Paul is clearly disturbed by approach is not merely to affirm the gathering of philosophers). the religious worldview and life in what he sees in the Athenians, It is almost like offering a Athens. Contextualization and the but to point out areas that will “sample” to see if the Athenians promotion of Insider Movements need correction in the light of want more. Some clearly did does not imply that the missionary or God’s truth. So, although he not, while others clearly did. “insider” leader assumes everything clearly sees the altar as preparing g. Finally, we return to the ques- in a culture is pleasing to God. Acts the Athenians for his message tion raised (but not addressed) 17 forces us to wrestle with the issue about the true God, he does not under point “b” above, as to of sin and darkness in other cultures take that to mean that everything whether Paul’s use of the altar and , including our own. in their religion and culture is and the poets was merely a preparation that can be fulfilled. pragmatic move or was based There is a personal challenge in Some things will need to be cor- instead on a deeper understand- the passage as well. Is my heart as rected or discarded, polytheism ing of God’s ways in the cul- sensitive as Paul’s? Do I care at a being an obvious example. tures and religions of mankind. deep and passionate level about the In these verses Paul argues that people I am called to reach? How God has created every nation, easy it is for our missionary call to every culture, “pan ethnos.” And descend to the level of a job, and our not only did He create them, passion to settle into an intellectual He also determined the era of history in which they would interest in “truth.” Paul was deeply This is not the same live and the geographical area disturbed by what he saw, and it thing as saying this they would inhabit. This is very moved him to act. careful, sovereign planning on Second, Paul takes this passion and “anonymous worship” God’s part, and encompasses, inner turmoil, and communicates it is salvific. again, every nation and people. in a very focused way. Here is a sum- But there is a purpose for this careful planning and design; mary of the main points: verse 27 makes this very clear. a. Paul begins by affirming what The purpose is so that they (the he can truly and honestly nations) should “seek God,” affirm: “I see you are religious d. To support his creation argu- “feel after Him,” and indeed in every way . . . for you have ments, he cites sources and “find Him,” although in fact “He an altar TO AN UNKNOWN GOD” texts from the Athenians’ is not far from us.” This latter (vss. 22, 23) literary background. One text is phrase includes the nations. b. But Paul goes beyond this. taken from a hymn dedicated to Paul’s use of the altar and the There is a sense in which he sees Zeus. But since it says some- poets is very logical outwork- the altar to the unknown god as thing Paul knows is true about ing of his worldview, which can preparation for what he will say the true God, he uses it while be be summarized in this way: about the gospel. Whether this changing its reference point. The true God has designed the is mere pragmatism and oppor- e. It is interesting to note that cultures, seasons, and locations tunism remains to be seen. We while Paul never cites Scripture of the nations to further the will address that in a moment. directly in this encounter, he process by which all peoples For now we need to remind does speak biblical truth, using might seek after and actually  find Him. ourselves of what is really taking poets and writers to support the place. A Jewish monotheist biblical truths he proclaims. Based upon this reading of Paul’s (Paul) is using a pagan altar as a f. Paul closes his argument by message to the Athenians, it is bibli- sign that the people he addresses calling for a worldview change cal to speak of the gospel as a fulfill- are religious and that they have and repentance. In context ment of the “seeking, feeling and in fact been worshipping the this would mean accepting finding” process in every culture and true God without knowing it. monotheism specifically and, religion. This is true not only in the This is not the same thing as minimally, accepting Paul’s Jewish religion (where we can point saying that this “anonymous general argument about a day of worship” is salvific. I am not judgment and a coming Judge to direct Old Testament prophe- arguing that, nor do I believe it. who has been raised from the cies and “types” that are fulfilled in But Paul is assuming they have dead (this Person is unnamed Christ) but also in a pagan reli- been worshipping the true God in this sermon, though Paul gious culture such as that found in without knowing Him. may be assuming his hearers Athens.11 Thus, Insider Movements will connect the reference to can be said to relate to their religious

International Journal of Frontier Missions 21:4 Winter 2004 162 The Key to Insider Movements: The “Devoted’s” of Acts Kevin Higgins 163

integrity on Paul’s part.13 I believe n insider approach to Islam or any other religion Paul was attempting to elicit among will need to address the areas that must be the Athenians what I would call a transformed by biblical truth. “hermeneutic of curiosity.” A Third, Paul’s teaching indicates context from this perspective of ful- At this stage it might be helpful to that he believed God had actually fillment, as well as from the perspec- summarize what I think the impli- designed the locations and times and tive that the gospel will correct and cations of Acts 17 are for Insider indeed cultures in which people lived change the culture. Movements. I will focus on just three. so that they could seek God and find Him. There was an intentional The preceding is a brief and incom- Implications for design on God’s part. This design, plete attempt to outline a biblical Insider Movements in Paul’s view, accounts for why the theology of religion and culture. First, Paul does not claim that all of Athenians would have an altar to an A fuller treatment would need to paganism is a preparation for Jesus. unknown god. In the context of the examine texts and themes such as: He challenges the thinking of the scene in Athens, we should conclude a. The Bible’s clear and steady Athenians and argues from inside of that God’s own hand was involved stance against idolatry and their worldview framework in order in the Athenians making that altar polytheism as at least “empty” to change that framework. and that He did so in order that they in some circumstances and as would seek and question and some- “demonic” in others.12 This Implication: An insider approach to needs to be part of the discus- Islam or any other religion will need to day find Him. This is in contrast to sion among those of us more address the areas that must be trans- the idea that the altar was a conve- disposed to approve of the idea formed by biblical truth. The six keys nient accident that Paul used. Paul’s of Insider Movements. from Acts outlined earlier are thus theology of culture as articulated in b. God’s jealousy for His people, of critical importance in this regard. Athens shows us that the altar was which would need to be taken Those keys serve to keep an Insider no accident. into account in any exposi- Movement rooted in the canonical Implication: Missionaries among tion of His work among other Scriptures. The “fourth self” is also peoples of other religions can and nations. largely dedicated to this end. c. The covenants or claims to should approach their work with the “ownership” in relationship to Second, Paul assumes that altars and same expectations Paul had. I should non-Jewish people: Ishmael poets and other such things will be expect, in my work among Muslims, in Genesis, Edom and Moab found that agree with biblical truth, that I will find in the Quran, the and Philistia in Psalm 108, for and he uses them freely, without Hadith, worship in the mosque, and example. trying to show that he is only using indeed in the Hajj itself the Islamic d. The theology of “natural revela- them because they show the Bible equivalents of “altars to an unknown tion” in Romans 1. to be true. His theology sees God god” and “poets” that I can quote to e. John 1:9 and the light that as the designer who has placed each proclaim biblical truth. This is true enlightens every human being. nation in its era and area in order to of Islam generally, but would have There is much more that needs to be find Him. Also, he is not afraid of additional “altars” and “poets” in explored in this important area. being misunderstood and taken for a each of the widely varying cultural pagan simply because he uses pagan expressions of Islam. These things A Look Back Before Moving On altars and poets to prove his point. are not accidents; they are there by Our first main question addressed the God’s design. They are, we might “movement issue.” In that section we Implication: An insider approach can say, the fingerprints of God within attempted to show biblical precedents freely use religious and secular aspects the religions of the world. for believers in the true God remain- of the culture to communicate bibli- ing within the cultural (and even cal truth. This includes the texts One Final Question religious) forms in their context. and ceremonies of the religion one Before concluding this section, we is seeking to reach. Missionaries need to address one final question My point here is to attempt to should not fear that doing so might about Insider Movements. At the outline a framework for a biblical cause others to confuse them as beginning of this section we raised understanding of how a movement being “Muslim” or “Hindu.” The the question of the relationship to Jesus could claim to be in some Athenians frankly were still not between Insider Movements and sense a fulfillment of the religion sure what category to place Paul the religious context in which they (or aspects of the religion) inside of in, and he did not seem to worry emerge. So far we have focused our which it remains. about that issue. This is not a lack of attention on developing a biblical

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perspective for understanding cul- Paul to question his interpretation vital movement to Jesus? This question forces us to articulate ture and religion and how a move- of the altar in Athens. Neither Jesus ment to Jesus might relate to them or and address valid concerns nor the apostles assumed that their about how movements to indeed be “inside” of them. hermeneutic of the Old Testament Jesus develop on a biblically It is also important to ask whether it was invalid because the other Jewish grounded foundation. matters how non-believing members leaders did not accept it 2. Can a “movement to Jesus” be of the religion view the movement. Similarly, the fact that not all an “Insider Movement”? For example, there will be Muslims Muslims will accept my reading of What is the relationship of who do not follow Jesus and are not the Quran in the light of Jesus does the emerging Jesus movement (and its biblical worldview and part of the “Insider Movement.” not mean that my reading is wrong discipleship) to the worldview, If they do not accept the insider’s or invalid. I have a different starting interpretation of the Quran or if religious life, and cultural point and a different hermeneutic, context inside of which the they reject the so-called “altars” and shaped by a worldview that has movement is “moving”? This “poets” the movement claims are ful- Christ at the center. Reading the question forces us to articulate filled by the truth of the gospel, does Quran with Christ as my starting and address valid concerns this mean the Insider Movement’s point and with the assumptions of about how movements to Jesus claims are invalid? In other words, develop within the cultural and whose criteria, indeed whose herme- religious framework of their neutic, will determine the validity Before particular context. A major of the interpretation of the Quran or factor in this question will Hadith offered by a Muslim Insider Paul’s sermon, be the issue of developing a Movement? biblical theology of culture and who would have guessed God’s involvement in it. The simplest answer would be In both sections I have focused my to ask another question. Whose that the altar to the attention on the fundamental issue hermeneutic of the Old Testament of whether Insider Movements can determined the validity of the Jewish unknown god was really be called biblical. This involved us Insider Movement to Jesus in Acts? an altar to the God of the in a discussion of Acts to uncover It is clear that the apostles and the biblical dynamics of movements Jesus Himself had a much different Old Testament? generally. We examined six keys hermeneutic than the prevailing reli- in Acts based on Luke’s use of the gious establishment when they read word “devoted.” and taught the Old Testament. Acts 17 shaping my expectations, there will be many discoveries of In that section we also took a slight The apostles were using a new inter- “altars” and “poets.” This will be true detour to discuss the issue of biblical pretive “key” to the Old Testament: for other Islamic writings, rites, and precedents for religious insiders. We Jesus Himself. In my view, prior to practices. This will be true in other focused on both Namaan and the Jesus it would have been impossible religious contexts as well. Samaritan woman as models for this to understand the meaning of the phenomenon. Old Testament passages as they were Summary used in apostolic preaching. In this paper I began with a working In the second section we sought to discuss the relationship of Insider In the same way, Paul used a dif- definition of Insider Movements. I Movements to their religious ferent hermeneutic of the altar he linked such movements to the wider context. We examined Acts 17 and discovered in Athens and of the conversation about people move-  uncovered a theology of culture and poets he quoted. Before Paul’s ments, but added the religious factor religion that further supports the sermon, who would have guessed to the mix of what it means to be idea that a movement to Jesus can be that the altar to the unknown god “inside” a culture. an Insider Movement. This includes was really an altar to the God of the I have attempted to wrestle with the crucial assumptions based on Paul’s Old Testament? And yet, in both Insider Movement issue from two teaching in Athens, that such a examples, one can see the logic and major perspectives, each with its movement will find areas to correct the “fulfillment” after the fact once own questions. I will restate those in the religion and culture, but also one accepts the hermeneutic. perspectives and questions here: areas of fulfillment in the religion Clearly not all of the Athenians who 1. “Insider Movements” in the and culture. The latter become heard Paul did in fact accept this Bible: What are the models visible when we read a culture and hermeneutic. But that did not cause and dynamics of a healthy, religion through a new Jesus-cen-

International Journal of Frontier Missions 21:4 Winter 2004 164 The Key to Insider Movements: The “Devoted’s” of Acts Kevin Higgins 165 tered hermeneutic for interpreting Hindus and Buddhists as a result of emerging leaders within the movement the texts and practices of the religion that reformation. are guided into a process of engaging Scripture and their culture in a “conversa- and culture. If I am right, then the mission tion” that leads to the long term goal of a If space permitted, the next logi- movement will need to keep looking thoroughly biblical theology in culture. cal step would be to outline some not only for better ways to recruit 4 This is certainly the background examples of such altars and poets and train and send missionaries, of the Lord’s Supper as Paul describes it from Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist or but to acknowledge the need for a in 1 Corinthians 11. That this was a real other contexts. In a future paper I paradigm shift. meal is clear from the necessity Paul felt would like to develop an exegesis of of reminding the Corinthians that they The harvest is indeed vast and the should not eat all the food before other the Quran, for example, based upon laborers too few. But we don’t just members of the church arrived. Doing a new “Jesus Hermeneutic,” and need more laborers; we also need a so, says Paul, means it is no longer the address the areas of correction and new paradigm of what we’re sending Lord’s supper. By separating the Lord’s fulfillment that such a hermeneutic them into the harvest to do. Supper from the context of a real meal would surface in the text. we eventually came to the logically It is my hope that this paper has absurd practice in the West of holding a A new “Jesus” reading of the Quran articulated some of the biblical bases is of course just one piece of what an “Lord’s Supper” in the early morning and for that paradigm shift and thus in a thus having a meal that is not a “supper” Insider Movement would develop in in any but a symbolic sense. its life and practice. There are many 5 In an article entitled “Jesus in facets of culture and religion that are Samaria: A Paradigm for Church Plant- not a part of the official texts or forms ing Among Muslims,” in IJFM, Vol. 17: of Islam. The same is true for Hindus 1, Spring 2000 under the name, Stuart and Buddhists.14 These too need to be I believe we’re Caldwell. addressed by the movement. 6 Since writing the article cited on the brink of a in footnote 5, my thinking has pro- Conclusion gressed. I would now put more emphasis In my introduction, I said that similar wave of now on the fact that Jesus clearly had I believe the issue of Insider reformations . . . thought long term about the Samari- Movements is as important a ques- tan “mission.” For example, Luke 10 tion as the rediscovery of certain can be argued from the context to be an intentional and specifically Samari- aspects of biblical truth in the tan mission. I recognize the complex Protestant reformations. Let me issues involved in dating events in the conclude by explaining that a bit. Synoptics and in John. But my assump- small way helped to enable us, with tion would be that John 4 took place I believe that the Lord is enabling God’s help, to catalyze new “Six His people to rediscover gems of before Luke 10, which could thus be Devoted” Insider Movements to said to be another step in the strategy of biblical truth that have always been Jesus. IJFM in front of us but which we have “church planting” or “kingdom sowing” in Samaria. Acts 1:8, when read in not seen fully or applied consis- Endnotes th this context, shows that Jesus was still tently. The Reformations of the 16 1 A good introduction to the people clearly intentional about further work century were fueled by a rediscovery movement conversation is found in the in Samaria to follow up and “establish” of the biblical texts (and especially Evangelical Dictionary of World Missions what had begun in John 4 and expanded the biblical truth of justification by under “People Movements,” an article in Luke 10. However I would still faith), then shaped by a consistent contributed by David Hesselgrave. defend my basic thesis that Jesus’ work application of that biblical truth to 2 The reference in 10:17 might help in Samaria is a model and example of church practice, polity, worship, us understand something of the range of what we’re referring to here as an Insider and even Scripture translation. In usage, but it does not directly relate to a Movement. the same way, I believe we’re on the dynamic in the movement itself, so I do 7 Acts 6 is often used by proponents brink of a similar wave of reforma- not include it as a seventh dynamic, as of various church “polities” to support tempting as it would be to have seven keys! tions15 that will be fueled by the their particular viewpoint. But Luke is 3 I am suggesting here a radical not giving us a once and for all struc- rediscovery of a thoroughly biblical departure from much of the theological ture. His intention is to show how the theology of culture and religion, education that is established in “the field.” community was led to adopt and adapt one shaped by a consistent applica- Instead of attempting to teach correct new forms as needs arose in order to stay tion of that biblical truth to mis- theology (based on whatever school or focused on their purpose. sion practice and the movements books the missionary has been influenced 8 That this is a common practice that emerge among Muslims and by), I am proposing a model in which in Acts seems clear from Acts 2; the

International Journal of Frontier Missions 21:4 Winter 2004 164 The Key to Insider Movements: The “Devoted’s” of Acts Kevin Higgins 165

acounts of the Ethiopian eunuch, Simon making that argument here. I do agree church planting among “post-moderns,” the Sorcerer, Cornelius, the Philippian that Paul uses the pagan culture and among others. Hence, I refer to “refor- jailer; and other examples. religion of the Athenians in the same mations” in the plural. 9 To obtain a copy of this tool, way he uses the Old Testament among please contact the author at: Jews and Gentile God-fearers. But that [email protected] is not the same thing as suggesting a 10 To counter this point, it could be replacement for the Old Testament. argued that Paul does not use the same 12 Exegesis of each passage would method again after Acts 17. However, be needed to determine when “empty” Paul’s letter to the believers in Rome, would best fit the author’s intention and written after his ministry in Athens, when “demonic” would best fit. Both are lays a foundation in its opening chapter taught in Scripture. that is very much in keeping with the 13 This is a frequent accusation thought and assumptions in his sermon leveled at those who promote Insider in Acts 17. Movements. Sometimes the accusation 11 I am not in any sense equat- is aimed at cross-cultural workers who ing the Old Testament revelation with adopt the term “Muslim” for themselves the work of God among the nations as (for example), or allow themselves to be described in Acts 17. I do not believe thought of as Muslim. Sometimes the this argument places all other religions accusation is aimed at “insiders” who do on the same footing as the Old Testa- not extract themselves from, say, Islam. ment. I once heard a missionary whose Th e question of integrity and religious work had been in a Buddhist context labels is worthy of a paper all its own. suggest that the teachings of Buddha 14 And Christians! could in fact replace the Old Testa- 15 While my focus in this paper is ment functionally for Buddhists. This on the Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist is not an uncommon suggestion in contexts, the same recovery of biblical certain missiological traditions. I am not truth is seeding new thinking about

International Journal of Frontier Missions 21:4 Winter 2004