World Missionary Conference, 1910 - In Depth Notes

Overview of the World Missionary Conference, 1910

• The Edinburgh conference, colloquially referred to as "Edinburgh 1910," is noted for being pivotal in shaping the 20th century ecumenical movement.

Delegates and Controversy

• Delegates included a wide theological spectrum from the non-Roman Catholic Western missionary sphere, ranging from Catholic Anglicans to fundamentalists.
• The unity observed among delegates came after intense debates and controversies.

Key Questions Raised

• The conference sparked fundamental questions regarding:

  • The theological validity of terms such as "Christendom" and "the Christian world."
  • The objectives of Christian mission within traditionally Christian societies.
  • Defining Christian identity and what it means to be a Christian.

Historical Context

• Originally labeled as the Third Ecumenical Missionary Conference, the format changed to avoid the technical use of the term "ecumenical" as associated with church unity movements.
• A primary aim was to discuss spreading the Gospel to the whole world, but the realistic scope was limited to specific territories focusing on non-Christian populations.

Statistical Controversy

• Various churches agreed that only missionary work among non-Christian communities would be the focus, excluding Christian populations from consideration.
• Delegates from America noted that a geographical boundary was essentially established, leading to the classification of the world into "Christendom" and "heathendom."

Defining Christendom and Foreign Missions

• The British Advisory Council sought to define what constituted "Christendom" as a precursor to gathering statistics for foreign missions.
• Issues arose over whether work aimed at Roman Catholic or Greek Orthodox populations should be included.

Anglo-Catholic Ultimatum

• Anglo-Catholic bishops demanded that missionary efforts aimed at other Christians not be included in conference statistics, threatening to withdraw from participation otherwise.
• A re-affirmation was made to limit discussion strictly to missionary work aimed at non-Christians, resulting in a compromise.

Conference Agenda Narrowing

• The urgency of addressing the bishops' concerns led to an emergency meeting where compromises were sought.
• Mott, recognized as a key American figure, preferred focus on non-Christian regions while balancing perspectives from various involved parties.

Statistics Compilation and Territorial Decisions

• A recognition emerged that many statistical dilemmas revolved around territories where Christians and non-Christians coexisted, creating complexities in representation.
• Proposed titles for commissions shifted to clarify the focus remained on non-Christian worlds.

Compromises and Controversies

• Drawing the frontier between Christian and non-Christian territories led to numerous statistical classifications, with debates still lingering on these definitions today.
• The Annual General Committee's decisions were heavily influenced by Anglican perspectives, with the understanding of what could be legitimately included in missionary work constantly contested.

Conclusion and Legacy

• The outcomes of the conference reinforced the territorial characteristics of Christendom versus the non-Christian world, ultimately leading to a more rigid delineation that some criticize as limiting the church's overall mission.
• The lasting legacy of Edinburgh 1910 is a pertinent case study in ecclesiastical politics and mission field delineations that shape modern missiology and inter-denominational relations.