Evangelism

I've been thinking about Evangelism a lot over the last few years, and still have a lot of thinking to still do. For a long time, evangelism has simply been based on these few things..

- We're all sinners
- Sinners go to hell
- Jesus can save you
- Say this prayer
- Well Done You're In.

While there is nothing wrong with this (I mean the Roman Road is called the Roman Road cos it's all from the Book of Romans), after a few years of youth pastoring and seeing youth and kids response to this message I wonder if we are selling them short. To often the life change or even on going commitment that comes from this message is 'zip' - 'nothing'. It's like God forgives me of my sin - I'm still going to heaven - so what's it got to do with me changing now? Recently, I've been reading a lot of NT Wright, (or Tom Wright they are the same person)and trying to get my head around the new perspective on Paul. That's another topic, but in reading one of his books "Surprised By Hope", he has a section on evangelism and makes three vaild points. Before I share his 3 points through - two things that help you know where he is coming from.

Firstly: Wright defines the gospel as "(it)is the proclamation that the crucified Jesus of Nazareth has been raised from the dead and thereby demonstrated to be both Israel's Messiah and world's true Lord. 'The gospel is not 'you can be saved, and here's how,; the gospel, for Paul, is 'Jesus Christ is Lord'. (Quoted From Paper "New Perspectives On Paul - 2003). Wright gets this from Rom 1:3&4.

Secondly: Throughout 'Surprised By Hope', Wright has emphasied (rightly I believe) that God's plan is not to destroy earth, while Christians float to a cloudy, harp like heaven. Rather, his plan was always to redeem creation and the hope of Christianity is life in a 'new heavens and new earth'(see Rev 11:15 & 21:1,2). So in short this side of the hedge matters - earth matters - what we do here matters.

So here are Wrights points on Evangelism, which are actually presented from the angle of 3 problems that are avoided. but I re-word slightly here - (Surprised By Hope - pg 240ff)

1/ Christianity should not be presented as a saying no to all the 'good' things of earth. In other words, it is not about waiting to die and go somewhere better. Sure there are things on earth we need to say 'no' to. But, we need to realise Christianity is not 'let's forget about earth and all it's problems (ie...poverty, enviromental crisis etc) and focus on heaven'.

2/ Christianity is not primarily about a personal relationship with God. Sure it is part of it, but it's not the be all and end all. To quote Wright: "Seeing evangelism and any resulting conversions in terms of new creation means that the new convert knows from the start that he or she is part of God's kingdom-project, which stretches out beyond 'me and my salvation' to embrace, or rather to be embraced by, God's worldwide purposes".

3/ Putting Christianity in this context - ie...the Jesus Christ is Lord - Makes it clear that behaviour in the here & now matters. To again quote Wright: "There have in the past been some kinds of evangelism which have implied that the main thing is to sign on, to pray a particular pray which results in the assurance that one is safely on the way to heaven - and which have failed to mention, to the frustration of pastors and teachers who try to look after such 'converts', the fact that following Jesus means just that, following Jesus, not ticking a box which says 'Jesus' and then sitting back as though it's all done."

Sure a lot of this shows the difference between a decision and a disciple. Maybe we settle to quickly for decisions and don't work hard enough towards disciples? Maybe, given that social justice and the environment are such trendy things at the moment - presenting Christinity as not only are your sins forgiven but you're signing up to work with God to make this world a better place, may actually be very appearing to todays 20+ especially? Maybe this post is way to long already and I should I simply stop writing - it did at least help me clear my head?

Til next time
D