Divine Footprints

""For the last forty years, as a pastor, seminary president, denominational leader, and now as a bishop, I've taught the bible to the people I've been called to lead. My intent wasn't simply to tell those under my care what the bible says, but how to read God's word in a way that helps them encounter the author. Helping people understand the larger missional narrative of the scripture helps them understand there's not a page in the bible absent of God's divine mission to redeem and save his people. This important work by Dr. William Payne provides the theological framework for what I've intuitively known for forty years--a missional hermeneutic. He adeptly helps the reader to see and understand that God is always at work fulfilling his perfect will and plan to redeem and save his people. This is true even when we can't see it--whether afflicted by famine or trapped in bondage of some sort. God doesn't waste a thing in our lives, but rather often uses the situations of our lives to draw or drive us to him. As a result, God really does turn all things together for the good of those who love him."" --Jeffrey E. Greenway, bishop, The Global Methodist Church ""Bill Payne is one of the best teachers of evangelization in the English-speaking world and is a man of serious original insight. I expect this project will become a game-changer for many church leaders."" --George G. Hunter III, distinguished professor emeritus, Asbury Seminary ""'God is a missionary God, ' so asserts Dr. Payne. He has sent his Son and the Holy Spirit into the world to reach us with his saving love. The missio Dei is the metanarrative in which the church is called to participate and offer salvation to a lost and dying world. How can we understand God's mission, specifically as it is revealed in the Bible? Dr. Payne prescribes a missional hermeneutic as the way in which the church can apprehend God's mission and interpret holy scripture. William Payne offers the reader a comprehensive primer on the dynamics of a missional hermeneutic that will equip the reader to navigate through the Bible, follow God's divine footprints, and serve his mission."" --Peter J. Bellini, professor of church renewal and evangelization in the Heisel Chair, United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio ""For years, I have encouraged churches to pray, 'Holy Spirit, where are you working in our community, and how can we be a part of it?' In his book Divine Footprints, Dr. Bill Payne masterfully traces God's footprints through the Bible and invites us to find them in our world today so we can be a part of his mission. Any church seeking to engage its community would do well to read this book."" --Jay Therrell, conference superintendent, Florida Conference of the Global Methodist Church