TableTalk

From Martin Luther to John Stott, mission theologians and interpreters have estimated this passage the most important (or among the most important) in all of the Bible. Genesis 1-11 is mere preface. Here the real story begins.

And the story begins with mission.

These few verses set the tone for the entire book of Scripture. The people of God are chosen…for mission in the world. The people of God are blessed…for blessing others. The people of God are named the people of God…for the purpose of inviting others into God’s fellowship. Nothing parochial here.

These are perhaps the most unifying verses in the Bible; the whole of God s purpose is encapsulated here (John Stott).

This is a most outstanding passage and one of the most important in all Holy Scripture” (Martin Luther)

Whatever will be achieved in the church until the end of the world and whatever has been achieved in the church until now, has been achieved and will be achieved by virtue of this promise [Genesis 12:3], which endures and is in force to this day (Martin Luther; LW II, 265).