
The Mission of God
Unlocking The Bible's Grand Narrative
Christopher J. H. Wright(Author)
Apollos (Publisher)
2nd Edition
Published on 16. October 2025
Book
Hardback
640 pages
978-1-78975-411-7 (ISBN)
Description
Engage with the latest scholarship on the biblical theology of mission and missional hermeneutics with Christopher J. H. Wright's classic text - now fully revised and updated!
Most Christians would agree that the Bible provides a basis for mission. But Christopher Wright boldly maintains that there is a missional basis for the Bible itself. The entire Bible is generated by and is all about God's mission. In order to understand the Scriptures, we need a missional hermeneutic, an interpretive perspective in sync with the beating heart of its great mission.
Wright gives us a fresh hermeneutical perspective on Scripture through an understanding of:
- Who God is
- What he has called his people to be and do
- How the nations fit into God's mission
His exploration, rooted in careful biblical study, demonstrates the core of the Bible's grand narrative: the mission of God. The authority for our mission flows from the Bible because the Bible reveals the realities on which our mission is based and thereby authorises us to act accordingly.
God's mission is to renew the world, and God's people are called to play a part. Whether you're a pastor, scholar, or student, The Mission of God will benefit your understanding of how the Bible shapes the story and purpose of God's people.
Most Christians would agree that the Bible provides a basis for mission. But Christopher Wright boldly maintains that there is a missional basis for the Bible itself. The entire Bible is generated by and is all about God's mission. In order to understand the Scriptures, we need a missional hermeneutic, an interpretive perspective in sync with the beating heart of its great mission.
Wright gives us a fresh hermeneutical perspective on Scripture through an understanding of:
- Who God is
- What he has called his people to be and do
- How the nations fit into God's mission
His exploration, rooted in careful biblical study, demonstrates the core of the Bible's grand narrative: the mission of God. The authority for our mission flows from the Bible because the Bible reveals the realities on which our mission is based and thereby authorises us to act accordingly.
God's mission is to renew the world, and God's people are called to play a part. Whether you're a pastor, scholar, or student, The Mission of God will benefit your understanding of how the Bible shapes the story and purpose of God's people.
Reviews / Votes
"Christopher Wright simply is one of our best scholars and writers today. His work on mission and missional readings of the Bible is peerless and vitally important. The Mission of God is a tour de force, and it is a delight to see it going into an updated second edition. This book deserves the widest possible reception and the closest study. It will enhance the mission of the church at this critical time." -- Craig Bartholomew, director of the Kirby Laing Centre for Public Theology "With this second edition, one of the best works of biblical theology is even better thanks to new chapters on the future of Israel and evangelism. Christopher Wright holds before us a vision of a God with a holistic mission who creates a church that is to join in this all - encompassing mission. Excited for the new edition to reach a new generation of students who will deeply resonate with this biblical vision." -- Andrew T. Abernethy, professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College and author of Savoring Scripture "Having assigned The Mission of God in my seminary classes, I welcome this thoroughly revised edition. The Mission of God is an ambitious work because Christopher Wright argues that the missio Dei is not merely one theme in the Bible set alongside others but is rather the central aim of the Scriptures. In order to accomplish this task, Wright engages his critics and demonstrates his expertise in hermeneutics, theology, biblical studies, and missiology. The result is a book that is academically rigorous while also eminently practical." -- Bo H. Lim, professor of Old Testament at Seattle Pacific University "The Mission of God was one of the most important books I read in seminary. Returning to it has been such a joy! Christopher Wright is a master communicator whose expanded and clarified exposition is a true gift to our generation. His careful attention to the storyline of the Bible provides a rich feast of insight for pastors, seminary students, and laypeople committed to discovering how the whole Bible unfolds the mission of God and invites our participation in it as subjects of the Lord Jesus. I offer my hearty and unreserved recommendation!" -- Carmen Joy Imes, professor of Old Testament and author of Bearing God's Name "The second edition of Christopher Wright's The Mission of God confirms and refreshes its status as a classic in the field. Its bibliographic updates are extensive; its new eighth chapter on election and supersessionism is a landmark. It affirms that God's covenant with Israel is unique and irrevocable and that God's purpose to become incarnate does not depend on the Fall. These revisions will jump-start an exciting season in biblical theology of mission." -- Collin Cornell, assistant professor of Bible and mission at Fuller Theological SeminaryMore details
Edition
2nd edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Nottingham
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Inter-Varsity Press
Dimensions
Height: 237 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 54 mm
Weight
912 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78975-411-7 (9781789754117)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
10/2025
2nd Edition
IVP
€48.99
Available for download
Previous edition

Book
11/2006
Inter-Varsity Press
€69.59
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Person
Christopher J. H. Wright (PhD, University of Cambridge) is global ambassador and ministry director of the Langham Partnership, a ministry founded by John Stott that is committed to strengthening the majority world church. He taught Old Testament at Union Biblical Seminary in India for five years and was academic dean and then principal of All Nations Christian College for thirteen years. Wright has written many books, including Old Testament Ethics for the People of God, The Mission of God, The Mission of God's People, Knowing God through the Old Testament, and commentaries on Exodus, Deuteronomy, Jeremiah, Lamentations, and Ezekiel.
Content
PART ONE - THE BIBLE AND MISSION - 13
1 Searching for a Missional Hermeneutic 17
2 Shaping a Missional Hermeneutic 36
PART TWO - THE GOD OF MISSION 61
3 The Living God Makes Himself Known in Israel 65
4 The Living God Makes Himself Known in Jesus Christ 94
5 The Living God Confronts Idolatry 126
PART THREE - THE PEOPLE OF MISSION - 179
6 God's Elect People: Chosen for Blessing 183
7 God's Particular People: Chosen for All 215
8 Election and Supersessionism 257
9 God's Model of Redemption: The Exodus 279
10 God's Model of Restoration: The Jubilee 310
11 The Missional Span of God's Covenant 326
12 The Missional Life of God's People 360
13 Gospel-Centered Integral Mission 397
PART FOUR - THE ARENA OF MISSION - 425
14 Mission and God's Earth 429
15 Mission and God's Image 456
16 God and the Nations in Old Testament Vision 483
17 God and the Nations in New Testament Mission 528
1 Searching for a Missional Hermeneutic 17
2 Shaping a Missional Hermeneutic 36
PART TWO - THE GOD OF MISSION 61
3 The Living God Makes Himself Known in Israel 65
4 The Living God Makes Himself Known in Jesus Christ 94
5 The Living God Confronts Idolatry 126
PART THREE - THE PEOPLE OF MISSION - 179
6 God's Elect People: Chosen for Blessing 183
7 God's Particular People: Chosen for All 215
8 Election and Supersessionism 257
9 God's Model of Redemption: The Exodus 279
10 God's Model of Restoration: The Jubilee 310
11 The Missional Span of God's Covenant 326
12 The Missional Life of God's People 360
13 Gospel-Centered Integral Mission 397
PART FOUR - THE ARENA OF MISSION - 425
14 Mission and God's Earth 429
15 Mission and God's Image 456
16 God and the Nations in Old Testament Vision 483
17 God and the Nations in New Testament Mission 528