ABSTRACT
Traditionally, Christians have believed that their faith is the sole means of salvation. If the eternal destiny of the world’s inhabitants depends on accepting the gospel, then it is understandable that Christians should want to propagate their faith as widely as possible. e refrain of a Protestant missionary hymn runs:
Although J. Demster Hammond wrote this hymn at the height of the Victorian missionary hey-day, the goal of proclaiming the gospel to the entire world is attributed to Jesus himself. Matthew’s Gospel ends with Jesus’ ‘Great Commission’ to his disciples: ‘erefore go and make disciples of all notions, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you’ (Mt. 28:19-20).
