Centripetal or Centrifugal Missions

One of the newest theories discussed in this lecture was the difference between the Old Testament centripetal force and the New Testament’s emphasis on a centrifugal focus. By centripetal, Peters means “a scared magnetism that draws to itself,”1 while centrifugal speaks of that which “moves away from a center.”2

Old Testament mission was centripetal in that through the example and influence of God’s appointed people, Israel, the heathen would come to Jerusalem to worship— i.e. like the Queen of Sheba, they were to be drawn to that land. New Testament missions, however, was not quite the opposite. The Great Commission of Jesus mandated that the church go out into the world and preach Christ to every creature. (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15) This change in paradigm must have been as shocking to Jesus’ disciples as it was to Jonah.

The question, then, is though Jesus came to the Jews (centripetal force), did He practice in a manner which was centrifugal?

The answer is that He exercised both. John makes clear that Jesus came to His own but was soundly rejected (John 1:11). Dr. Patton himself noted that “Jesus had a focus on all of humanity since the onset of his ministry, but was sent especially to the lost sheep of Israel.” Yes, Jesus offered salvation first to Israel (Matthew 15:24; Acts 3:25-26; Romans 1:16) and not without results. (i.e. Nicodemus, John 3; His disciples, Matthew 4:18-22)

However, inherent in His words was an appeal to the world.

John 3:16-17, 19

John 1:29

John 6:33

John 17:21

Mark 14:9

In time, He worked, with limitation, in Gentile territory. He traveled through Samaria (John 4), performed miracles and healed in the Decapolis (Mark 5:1-20; Mark 7:31-37), gave Gentile “dogs” crumbs from the table (Matthew 15:21-29), rescued Zacchaeus from the accursed Jericho (Luke 19), and ministered to government officials in Capernaum (Matthew 8:5-13; John 4:43-45).

Therefore, if the disciples were paying attention to the ministry of Christ, the Great, centrifugal Commission should not have been a great surprise. Jesus’ emphasis on “the world” and His ministry to the Gentiles were the fulfillment of Messiah’s prophecy (Isaiah 9:1-2, 61:1-4).

Further, that Jesus would make this great “centrifugal” announcement to His disciples from Jerusalem proves that His intentions all along were to coalesce a mighty army which might go into all the world preaching.

1 Peters, George W. “A Biblical Theology of Missions”

2 Retrieved from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/centrifugal

3 Patton, Dr. Bob. Lecture. The Crown College. “Jesus Christ and Missions.” September 1, 2022.