The Great Commission in the Old Testament and
its Place in the History of Redemption
- The Education Theology Perspective on Gen. 18:19 and the Shema -
By
Yong-Soo Hyun, Ph.D.
(Founder & President of Shema Education Institute)
E-mail: yongshyun@hanmail.net www.shemaiqeq.com
Abstract
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The writer proposes to have uncovered the ‘Great Commission’ of the Old Testament, which is found in the OT ‘Shema.’ The Shema calls followers to teach their children and make them disciples (Gen. 18:19; Deut. 6:4-9). This contrasts the Great Commission of the NT, which calls followers of Christ to go to all the nations to teach them and make them His disciples (Mt. 28:19-20a). The OT Great Commission relates to parental ministry in nurturing children; while the NT Great Commission relates to pastoral (evangelism) ministry through the Church. The OT Great Commission prepared Jesus’ first coming because OT Jews employed a ‘vertical’ method of conveying God’s word from generation to generation. In comparison, the NT Great Commission calls for a ‘horizontal’ method of spreading the Gospel of Jesus to all the nations. These two Great Commissions complement one another as the OT complements the NT. Accordingly, family and Church evangelism ministry complement each other and both manifest God’s plan of redemption. Therefore, in the NT era, both Great Commissions should be obeyed in balance and harmony by making children disciples of Jesus at home, evangelizing and disciplining unbelievers, and preparing for the second coming of Jesus Christ.
Key Words: The Great Commission of the OT and NT, Christian education theology, Shema,
Family ministry, Church ministry, Horizontal evangelism, Vertical evangelism,
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[This paper was presented at the 60th Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society, Nov. 19, 2008]
Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein
Director, interfaith Affairs, The Simon Wiesenthal Center. Los Anglels
Sydney M Irmas Adjunct chair. Jewish Law and Ethics, Loyola Law School. Los Angeles
Faculty member Yeshiva University High School for girls, Los Angeles
I have been delighted to know Dr. Yong-Soo Hyun for well over fifteen years, and privileged to help him introduce his students to traditional Jewish educational techniques.
Dr. Yong-soo Hyun has quite accurately discovered the "secret" of how Jews have conveyed the Word of God from generation to generation based on Gen. 18:19, a process that began with Abraham almost 4000 years ago.
Additionally, he found that Deut. 6:4~9, which Jews revere as the Shema, and recite twice a day every day of their lives, can be seen as an extension of Genesis 18:19. These traditional texts focus on assuring that children will stay loyal to the teachings of their parents, and promote the idea that a Jew's most important disciples are his children, while his home is both sanctuary and Torah study hall.
Dr. Hyun notes these core teachings and labels them "The Great Commission" of the Hebrew Bible, This is important and impressive terminology.
I am pleased that Dr. Hyun honors God's revealed word and honors Jewish tradition by turning towards it with respect and admiration.
I salute Dr. Hyun for his vigor. his insight - and for being a good friend.
Sincerely.