"Jesus at the outset of his ministry was forced to contend with three of the most powerful temptations Satan could offer--- expediency, popularity and power (Mt 4:1-11). It would have been expedient, logical and even strategic for Jesus to have ended his forty-day fast by turning stones into bread. He could have attracted the attention, …
Continue reading Christian Missions is Not “If it Works, Do it.” (Quote)
The Matthew 28 version of the Great Commission speaks of developing Disciples. There appear to be three basic steps: They are Evangelize, Baptize, and Teach/Train. The question is where does it start. Within the context of the various Great Commission versions, the start seems to be with Evangelize. That is because the key issue of …
Continue reading The Great Commission: Changing the Starting Point
The following is a quote from the book by James F. Engle and William A. Dyrness, "Changing the Mind of Missions: Where Have We Gone Wrong?" (InterVarsity Press, 2000). Who can fault legendary evangelist Dwight L. Moody, who captured the mood of evangelicals at the end of the nineteenth century in his declaration, "I look …