I have been reading a long paper (over 200 pages long when including endnotes)--- APOLOGETICS, MISSION & NEW RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS: A HOLISTIC APPROACH, by Philip Johnson. It is in Sacred Tribes Journal, Vol. 1, #1. I must admit that I would have preferred a "Reader's Digest" version of it, but it is excellent. I had …
Category: Evangelism
A broad look at the broad topic of evangelism.
Does the “Infinite Offense” Argument Make Sense?
I was at church Sunday. The preacher was doing an explicitly evangelistic sermon. Overall, I thought the message and delivery was solid. However, in the middle of it, he shared an argument that I have heard many times, but never really struck me as particularly compelling. Perhaps it is just me. I will completely paraphrase …
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Does What We Believe Cancel Out Who Saves Us?
I was watching a short little video that one of my students shared. In it, a street evangelist was talking (technically shouting, but in a crowded open-air setting that is just the way things work). The young woman was expressing that she was saved through Christ but also believed that some others may be saved …
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Models of Evangelism
I was reading a journal article, "Evangelism, Theology, and the Church" by Thorsten Prill (Evangelical Review of Theology, Vol. 29 No. 4 (2005) p. 303-330). It has several models of evangelism. I find it quite valuable. Here is a brief summary of these. I recommend reading the article to get a deeper look at this: #1. Proclamation …
Are Social Ministries “Simply Bridges” for Evangelism?
I was reading the ABWE (Association of Baptists for World Evangelism) list of basic qualifications for being a missionary. You can read them by clicking below: Basic Qualifications for Missionary Service with ABWE I find them to be, generally, a good list. I found it interesting that there is no specific mention of "Calling." I assume …
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Is God’s Whole Message to Mankind Simply How to “Get Saved”?
I was reading a quote from Christopher J. H. Wright speaking about the Mosaic Law. Wright was reacting to the premise that Mosaic Law was given to add a ‘central problems--- ensuring “sinful and rebellious people can live in the presence of a Holy God.” (Kevin DeYoung and Greg Gilbert, “What is the Mission of …
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Evangelistic Reflections on Christmas Sweat Socks
When I was young, on Christmas Eve we would have my Grandma and Grandpa come to our house to celebrate. In my family, we did gift exchange on Christmas Eve, NOT on Christmas Day. We did not believe in Santa and our chimney leads to a blazing wood stove anyway. I knew what I was …
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Quote on “Three-Dimensional Great Commission”
The Great Commision is not so great when it is one-dimensional instead of three-dimensional. Here, let me humbly reprimand us as evangelicals, among whom the very term "Great Commision" caught on like wildfire in the first place. We have essentially equated the Great Commission with the ministry of evangelism, with Matthew 28 earning the distinction …
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Learning From Missionaries of Other Religions
When I was a young(er) missionary I would get confused by what I would here from older missionaries. For example, I was talking to a mentor of mine (Evangelical Baptist Type) and he was talking rather positively about a friend of his who was a Mormon missionary. Of course, in those idealistic days, they were …
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Evangelism and Naaman’s Servant
I saw an interesting quote regarding evangelism that I can really resonate with: The other irony in my writing this book is that I do not possess the gift of evangelism. I have led very few people to Christ. I remember all too well the weekly evangelism assignments in Bible School when we were required …