The Reformers' commitment to the propagation of the gospel to all nations from 1555 to 1654

The Reformers of the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries are commonly characterized as having been indifferent, silent, and even opposed to the propagation of the gospel to all nations during the Reformation era. To determine the veracity of this claim, the current study carefully researches the Reformers and their views and practice regarding the propagation of the gospel. The focus is on the years from 1555 to 1654, which are generally the historical period considered to be the age of the Reformation by influential mission historians Gustav Warneck, Kenneth Latourette, and Stephen Neill.;The author’s investigation is guided by the following research question: were the Reformers negligently silent and indifferent to the propagation of the gospel to all the nations during the Reformation period of 1555 to 1654? In order to answer this question the following subsidiary questions are considered: (1) Which mission historian published the first relevant work on the subject of the Reformers and “missions,” and whose writing became a standard reference for such a thesis? (2) What other mission historians have built upon such previous work and popularized this thesis throughout academia and the churches in general? (3) What main arguments, evidence, and documentation have they used to justify the thesis? (4) After considering the arguments, weighing the historical evidence, and exegeting the primary sources, what conclusions can be drawn, what can be found, and what kind of recommendations can be presented?;Due to the nature of this study, the historical method is used throughout. The methodological approach, however, also takes into consideration exegetical history or critical church historiography in dealing with the historical data.;Based upon his research, the author has reached significant conclusions. In answer to the main research question concerning the Reformers’ commitment to the propagation of the gospel to all nations, the Reformers of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries were biblically, theologically, and practically committed to and involved with the preaching of the gospel through the ministers of the Word to all men everywhere. The mission historians who have categorically denied this fact are mistaken. Their error can be attributed to (1) the limited availability of sources to explore at the time of their research; (2) their preconceived and prejudiced assumptions due to some aspects of the Reformers’ theology; (3) a lack of critical assessment of the data; and (4) mere disregard of some crucial historical data. Therefore, many of the beliefs sustained against the Reformers today regarding to this matter are due to hearsay. With the exception of Warneck and Latourette, these influential mission historians do not document most of their bold statements against the Reformers.