What constitutes a Muslim idiom Bible translation, and why is it dangerous?

Alex and Scott sit down with Dr. Ant Greenham, a retired professor of Islamic Studies at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, to address the theological and missiological dangers associated with Muslim Insider Movements (MIMs) and insider Bible translations. Dr. Greenham critiques the approach where biblical terminology is replaced with alternatives like to make the gospel palatable to Muslim audiences.

Dr. Greenham explains the two major frameworks guiding missions: the theological approach, which emphasizes doctrinal faithfulness, and the anthropological approach, which focuses on cultural accessibility.

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Is God calling you to missions? ABWE can help you find the opportunities and support you need to bring the gospel to the nations, plant churches, and disciple believers. Start the conversation with us today at abwe.org/sendme.

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In this episode, Alex and Scott talk with Nate Bell, an ABWE missionary serving in Cape Town, South Africa. Nate shares his current focus on church planting and ministry among South Africa’s diverse people groups. He explains the historical complexities of South Africa’s racial and cultural dynamics, shaped by both Dutch and British colonization and apartheid. Nate details how these dynamics still influence communities today, including deep-seated divisions among white Afrikaners, white South Africans of British descent, and colored and black South Africans.

Nate highlights that although about 80% of South Africans identify as Christian, many have a works-based understanding of salvation, especially within the Dutch Reformed Church tradition, and lack a clear grasp of the gospel message. Nate shared honestly about the challenges and learning curve of ministering in such a context as an American, stressing humility, continual learning, and reliance on the unity found in Christ.

To reach out to Nate about his ministry in South Africa, you can email [email protected].

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God has already called many people to the mission field, but they need your support to get there. Help someone in Prefield get to where God is calling them by prayerfully supporting their ministry at abwe.org/Prefield.

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The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org.

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We are called to make disciples of all nations, but what is the biblical definition of a nation?

Alex and Scott explore the complex question of what defines a "nation" and why it matters for missions. They discuss the popular idea that America is merely "an idea," challenging this reductionist view by highlighting that a nation is more than shared values; it also includes shared language, ethnicity, culture, religion, and self-conception as a unified whole.

Drawing heavily on the biblical texts, they emphasize that God's plan involves not only individuals but distinct nations and people groups worshiping Him. Understanding what constitutes a nation shapes how Christians think about the Great Commission and the ultimate goal of reaching all peoples with the gospel.

Interview with Vishal Mangalwadi that was referenced in the episode.

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Get more of the conversation by becoming a Missions Podcast Premium Subscriber! Alex and Scott continue in the bonus Overtime episode to explore if God's grace erases our cultural and ethnic distinctions. Get access at missionspodcast.com/premium.

Are you feeling called to the mission field, but don't know where to start? ABWE's 24-Hour DEMO is for those that are seeking opportunities and direction on how they can help fulfill the Great Commission. Find your role in global missions at demo.abwe.org.

How can the mundane of motherhood be extraordinary?

Alex and Scott talk with Simona Gorton, an author, wife, and mother deeply engaged in local church ministry and missions. Drawing on her experiences with 9Marks and her work translating resources into over 60 languages, she emphasizes the importance of the local church as a training ground and the value of serving where God has placed you, even in seemingly ordinary roles.

Simona also discusses her book Mothering Against Futility, which explores Ecclesiastes and the tension between the mundane and the eternal. She challenges mothers and young women to embrace the daily, unseen work as meaningful in the Kingdom of Heaven, connecting everyday tasks to God's eternal purposes.

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Want to hear more of the conversation? Become a Missions Podcast Premium Subscriber to hear Alex, Scott, and Simona talk about the life of Elaine Townsend and how we can be encouraging young women and mothers in our churches. Sign up at missionspodcast.com/premium.

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The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org.

Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email [email protected].

What are the implications if missionaries don't know their theology?

Alex and Scott tackle the essential question of whether every missionary should also be a theologian. Drawing from personal experiences and their work with ABWE, they emphasize that missionaries often find themselves as the primary or sole theological resource in pioneer settings. This reality necessitates a strong foundation in theology, even for those not serving in overt teaching roles.

The discussion also explores the challenges missionaries face in cross-cultural theological communication, including the lack of access to theological resources in native languages, differing worldviews, the prevalence of insider movements, and syncretism.

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God has already called many people to the mission field, but they need your support to get there. Help someone in Prefield get to where God is calling them by prayerfully supporting their ministry at abwe.org/Prefield.

Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber!

Premium Subscribers get access to:

Support The Missions Podcast and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionspodcast.com/premium

The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org.

Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email [email protected].

Can Scripture be translated into animation and be faithful to the text?

In this episode of the Missions Podcast, Alex and Scott talk with Steve Cleary, founder of Revelation Media, about his groundbreaking work in creating the iBible—an animated, visual translation of the entire biblical narrative from Genesis to Revelation. Steve Cleary launched a global multimedia project that seeks to reach oral and visual learners through a new medium of Scripture presentation, particularly in underserved regions.

The conversation also addresses deeper theological and strategic implications of visualizing Scripture, especially for oral cultures and generations increasingly disengaged from print literacy. By producing these high-quality, biblically faithful episodes and offering them freely, Revelation Media aims to serve global missions with impactful tools that reflect the whole gospel.

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Explore your calling to global missions at ABWE's 24-Hour DEMO event. These events, held throughout the year, help individuals and churches explore how they can help fulfill the Great Commission and explore God's calling on their life and church. Learn more at demo.abwe.org.

Want more of the conversation? Be a Missions Podcast Premium Subscriber and get access to our bonus Overtime episodes at missionspodcast.com/premium. Alex, Scott, and Steve go deeper into pitfalls of Christian media and his work on the animated Pilgrim's Progress movie.

Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber!

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The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org.

Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email [email protected].

What does the data say about Christianity in the American church today?

In this episode, Alex and Scott explore the emerging cultural and spiritual shifts among younger generations, particularly Gen Z, with guest Dr. Adam Rasmussen, Cultural Research Fellow and Dean of Arts & Humanities at Arizona Christian University. Drawing from recent data and studies by the Cultural Research Center and the American Bible Society, Rasmussen outlines a growing openness to spirituality and Christianity—especially among young men—despite the rise of secularism.

Together they also examine the mental health crisis and its correlation with worldview, revealing that a stronger biblical worldview significantly lowers struggles with anxiety, depression, and more. Rasmussen warns of the post-COVID decline in biblical worldview and church attendance but sees signs of revival—particularly in increased male engagement and hunger for authentic, biblical discipleship.

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Explore your calling to global missions at ABWE's 24-Hour DEMO event. These events, held throughout the year, help individuals and churches explore how they can help fulfill the Great Commission and explore God's calling on their life and church. Learn more at demo.abwe.org.

Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber!

Premium Subscribers get access to:

Support The Missions Podcast and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionspodcast.com/premium

The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org.

Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email [email protected].

Why should Christians spend time reading fiction books?

In this episode of the Missions Podcast, Alex and Scott talk with Dr. Marvin Newell, an accomplished missiologist, author, and missionary as they explore Newell's recent foray into fiction writing with his novel Taking You Under My Skin, a historically grounded narrative set during the Vietnam War. The story not only reflects a gripping tale of survival and love but also serves to awaken readers to the needs of unreached people groups, using fiction as a powerful tool for mobilization and imagination.

Dr. Newell explores the often-overlooked role of imagination in Christian discipleship and missions as well as emphasizing the importance of Bible translation and storytelling in making the gospel accessible.

Key Topics:

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The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org.

Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email [email protected].

In this special extended episode of The Missions Podcast, Alex and ABWE president Paul Davis engage in a wide-ranging, deeply reflective conversation with Paul Washer of HeartCry Missionary Society. Washer recounts the founding and growth of HeartCry, emphasizing the importance of supporting both indigenous and cross-cultural missionaries. He stresses that indigenous missions must be grounded in strong local churches with biblical eldership and doctrinal integrity.

Paul Washer also tackles how local churches can develop missions strategies, emphasizing prayer, discernment, and doctrinal clarity over formulaic planning. Washer calls for renewed focus on developing biblically qualified leaders through discipleship and robust prayer life.

Key Topics

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The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org.

Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email [email protected].

Should Christians reject or embrace wealth and prosperity?

In this episode of The Missions Podcast, Scott talks with Josiah Stowe, co-founder of Dominion Wealth Strategists, on the often-overlooked yet vital subject of money and prosperity theology in the context of missions and ministry. Their conversation explores the tensions missionaries face regarding finances—especially retirement planning, family provision, and legacy—while challenging the assumption that piety must equate to poverty.

Josiah argues that wealth-building can and should align with biblical stewardship and that Christians are called to be faithful stewards who multiply their resources for God’s glory and the good of future generations. Their discussion critiques both the prosperity gospel and the poverty gospel, emphasizing a balanced, exegetically rooted theology of money. Finally, Josiah emphasizes the importance of legacy planning—wills, trusts, insurance, and investments—as essential tools for sustaining ministry impact across generations.

With over 3 billion people in the world who have never heard of Jesus, the global need is tremendous for workers to go into the harvest fields (Matthew 9:37-38). Is God calling you to missions? We'd love to have a conversation with you on how you can use your gifts and talents to advance the Great Commission at home and abroad. Visit abwe.org/SendMe for more information and to take your next step in missions.

Show Transcript

Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber!

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The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org.

Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email [email protected].