The understanding of the term “missionary” depends on semantic usage, theological interpretation, and historical context. Derived from Lat. mitto (send) or missus (sent), the word “missionary” has traditionally designated someone sent on a religious mission—by God (Jesus Christ as representative of the missio Dei) or by a church, a mission society, or another sending body to propagate faith or carry out a mission task. A clos…
Missionary(3,121 words)
Cite this page
Scherer, James A., “Missionary”, in: Encyclopedia of Christianity Online. Consulted online on 25 June 2022 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2211-2685_eco_M618>
First published online: 2011
First print edition: ISBN: 9789004169678, 20080512
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