Laurance and I went witnessing out in downtown Minneapolis last Tuesday, along with Harlan, Steve, and Paul. It was a night of very unusual witnessing encounters. Eight of them were recorded and they are now up on the bottom of our audio page, so check them out and let us know what you think. Here's a particularly touching one; she almost immediately made a startling confession. Please pray that she gets justice, but more importantly, that she would repent and trust so that she herself would avoid God's eternal justice being poured out on her.

Labels: audio, report

This was posted here a year ago. With all the news, I thought it was a good question to ask again for further comments

It is obvious to me that we shouldn't preach about politics while seeking to evangelize someone, because it is a big distraction to the main point of the law and gospel. But, should we use politics as a jumping-off point to preach the main point of the law and gospel?

The presidential election is a year away and politics are on our minds. Like anything in the news or daily life, politics can be used as a good "natural" thing to talk about in order to start a conversation with a stranger and then swing to the supernatural. It seems like everyone has an opinion on the presidential candidates, and to allow them a minute to explain, if they are interested, can be good. However, political issues are also divisive and can sometimes lead to hostility almost as much as the gospel can. Is it better just to avoid politics altogether when witnessing, or should the topics of politics be used just like any other topic when we talk with strangers? Please leave your responses on this post; if you haven't registered, go ahead and do so--it won't take long.

The reply from Ben:

We should us anything that can convict of sin.

Political stances can reveal what people value. In a witnessing encounter, we can use these values to bring the conviction of sin.

At the same time, we need to reallize that the U.S. is a temporary kingdom and prioritize accordingly.

Patrick

But if we use priorities in politics as a value judgment, do we risk offending our hearers--not with the law or gospel, but about political positions which they disagree with? For example, the road to the gospel seems straight-forward. It might look like this:

1. "Shouldn't the president should oppose legal abortions?"
2. "Isn't abortion murder?"
3. "Isn't hateful or insulting speech murder?
4. "Haven't you sinned in this way?
5. "Don't you need a savior?

Won't our contacts be so distracted by their strong opinions on #1 and #2 that they never think about #3, they don't consider #4, and then #5 seems utter foolishness?

Ben:

Hmm...

I don't think it would be wrong to promote a candidate, but I wouldn't go out of my way to do it either. I think of Daniel's service to Nebuchadnezzar. Now granted, Daniel didn't have stump to get him elected, but from reading Daniel it is clear that Daniel had a concern for preserving the reign of this pagan man. Yet He provided a powerful testimony for our God by serving God even more loyally than Nebuchadnezzar.

I just think we need to be careful to understand why a person is voting for so-and-so. If someone knows that God cares about the poor and thinks that a certain Democrats do a better job of taking care of the poor than Repuplicans do of protecting the unborn, then we have several roads we can pursue. I can pursue my appraisal of the weight of these issues and try to push my candidate, which leads to a political debate. Or we can have a gentle discussion knowing that we agree on the issues but not on their priority. Or we can talk about the character of God who cares for the poor and stands up for the helpless. We could also point out opportunities and organizations outside of the government for them to partner with in helping the poor if they don't know already.

Let's say the issue that a person is passionate about is "global warming." Now I know this world is going to be destroyed, but the earth is a legitimate stewardship given to men by God. The state of earth reflects our stewardship over it both morally and physically. A person could go into a diatribe about how global warming is some big liberal conspiracy and come off as a lunatic. Or we could talk about how God does actually care how we "tend the garden" and rule over the things He has created. We can go on to say that we think that the deliberate murder of ~1.5 million unborn babies is a greater moral evil than burning too many fossil fuels (itself partly caused by our greedy self-centered consumer cultures), but that we understand your concern for our stewawrdship over the earth itself - God cares too and He is looking forward to restoring His Universe in the age to come (See Romans 8:20-21).

I think we need to do a better presenting our first citizenship in political discussions. When I don't spin for a party, then hopefully it's the kingdom of God that comes through.

Okay one more scenario. A person is a fiscal republican but disagrees with it's "values platform." (The type of Republican who is amped about Giuliani and Schwartzeneggar). Are we glad they have helped us vote in several pro-lifers, or do we dig into their heart condition. Do they agree with God's morallity, but think it is the churches job to teach it rather than the governments? Then we might respectfully disagree and have a discussion without taking on the burden of persuading. Do they think gays should marry and that abortion helps people get out of bad situations? Then we're talking about a situation where we could turn the conversation to diagnosing the heart.

I think discussion in disagreement is a real lost art in this country, but giving up isn't the answer. I think part of the issue is the overall fragmentation and de-socialization of our culture - prioritizing entertainment over relationship (and engaging in relationship with the barrier of "personal space.") I think, as Christians we need to stand out from the Democratic and Republican spinsters by our humble and gentle political voice (without compromising our deep convictions). Then I think politics and evangelism can co-exist just fine.

I don't think it's a matter of taking the easy or obvious road, but a matter of respecting the person and understanding that even real Christians come to different conclusions concerning who to vote for. As a result, we ought to treat people as individuals who might even have perspectives that we ought to consider.

I do think politics is a more difficult road to evangelism. There are many traps. At the same time, it may be well worth the effort. There are some people who wouldn't talk about religion, who would talk about politics. As with any, evangelism (or discussion really) a lot of discernment is needed.

Labels: politics, tactics

If we can preach the Gospel--which is Christ crucified and resurrected--only partly as strong as Spurgeon did, many will hear the word of God and it will pierce them. Read just this excerpt, from his sermon on April 5, 1863 as recently published in the Winter 2006 issue of The Free Grace Broadcaster (pdf):

The grave is opened! There is found a man able to dash back its bolts and to rifle its treasures. And thus, brethren, having delivered Himself, He is able also to deliver others. Sin, too, was manifestly forgiven. Christ was in prison as a hostage, kept there as a surety; now that He is suffered to go free, it is a declaration on God's behalf that He has nothing against us. Our Substitute is discharged; we are discharged. He who undertook to pay our debt is suffered to go free; we go free in Him! "He rose again for our justification" (Rom 4:25).

Labels: gospel, resurrection, theology

One of the top posts on the old ShareYourFaith.org was the Evangelism Linebacker video. Here it is again; enjoy!

Labels: comedy, motivation, video

Stewart Binns has a good, short article on reaching Muslims for Christ in the latest issue ($5) of The Briefing. In it, he ends with a key principle that applies to all evangelism efforts:

One helpful thing to remember is that you are working in cooperation with God. It is not your job to save; your job is to introduce your Muslim friend to the true Christ. So your behavior must be an example of Christ's love. God will prepare the hearts of those he has called, and his Spirit will convict Muslims of the truth; you are just a worker in the harvest.

This firm reliance on God and his intimate work in the hearts of the lost is crucial; anyone who emphasizes it is someone I nearly always listen to. I hope to read more of what Binns has to say regarding Evangelism.

Labels: Holy Spirit, Islam

I got the audio clips back online; use the link on the left (or just click here for the list). If you didn't know, we have many audio clips of some of our witnessing encounters. Take a listen and leave your comments here--we'd love to hear your comments, criticisms, and encouragements, even regarding old clips. We hope these encourage you to go out and reach people for Christ.

Labels: audio, site

Last Tuesday, Laurance and I went downtown witnessing to those who would hear. Much to our surprise and encouragement, nearly everyone we spoke with was willing to talk! Praise God for his faithfulness to give us a field white with harvest (John 4:31-38).

One young woman was kind enough to speak to me for nearly a half hour; she professed belief in Christ, but couldn't explain what the significance of the cross was, why God should forgive us, or what I would need to do to be saved. She simply wasn't sure about these answers. She also had a part of her life that she seemed to know was not in line with what God wanted, but that felt and seemed right to her. I went through several of the Ten Commandments with her to ensure she realized she needed a savior--not just for the area in her life she was concerned about, but also for all her other sins. She was very sharp and quick to digest what I was saying; she acknowledged and admitted that breaking God's law even once made Hell a fair punishment (James 2:10). I explained the gospel to her; she thanked me very much and told me that she had much to consider, and that she was looking for a church. I left her with a "Are you good enough to go to heaven" tract and pointed to my e-mail address on the back. I urged her to read her Bible and find a good church, and to get right with God.

I also got in a conversation with a man at a bus stop who, after I went through the law, confessed a firm agreement with the terms of the Gospel but acknowledged without prompting that he often drank to get drunk. Whether or not he was genuinely saved, I don't know--but I witnessed to him about the grace of Christ for either case. He was very willing to listen, so I outlined the importance of repentance (Luke 13:1-5) and the righteousness of Jesus to take his place (2Cor 5:17-21). I left him with a tract and prayer.

God blessed us to get into these and several other good conversations, so give him praise and thanks, and pray for those we have spoken with.

Labels: street, testimony