Archive for May, 2008
Many Christians have asked, “How can I get rid of my fear in evangelism? What do you have to do to stop being afraid?” The New Testament responds to the problem of fear by talking about boldness. For example, when the prominent men of Jerusalem “saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled” (Acts 4:13). When contemplating our need to be bold as Peter and John were, we must first define boldness in this context.
Boldness in evangelism is the courage to speak with freedom, plainness, and confidence about the Lord. This side of heaven, we will likely never escape moments of fear. But God has an abundant supply of boldness for those who ask for it. As God answers those requests, we need to reflect on the truth of our message and develop a concern for those who need to hear. As we then obey Him instead of our fears, we will find ourselves speaking up in situations where previously we may have been silent. He gives the courage that enables us to speak with freedom, plainness, and confidence about the Lord.
As one experiences boldness as it is stressed in Scripture, it then becomes obvious that boldness in evangelism is related to our walk with the Lord, confidence in the Gospel, and concern for the lost. When these areas are as they should be, fear is often present, but so is the boldness needed to overcome it. As much as we might like to separate the spiritual life from evangelism, we cannot do so. The more intimate we are with the Lord, the bolder we will be in evangelism.
“But the church’s best days are when we are no longer chasing or imitating culture, but actually shaping it!” – Scott Hodge
This insightful statement is the conclusion of a blog post about how a person can keep a pulse on culture written in response to a reader’s question about maintaining relevance. The hope is that effective ministry will not be sacrificed at the expense of conformity. What I like about Hodge’s response is he does not suggest that. In fact, he points out “MOST churches are CHASING culture (because MOST are years BEHIND it)” and follows with the thought that the Church should be leading changes rather than changing in response to shifts in culture.
I would add one thought: As the Church, how do you shape culture? By reaching individuals within the culture; one person at a time. That’s the job of every one of us. What are you doing today to accomplish that mission?
I had an unexpected, but welcome visitor today. He’s a civil engineer by trade, getting ready to finish up a major construction project at a local church. He’s in his 70’s, and lately has been particularly burdened by the recent tragic events in Myanmar and China. This burden has sparked his interest in being used by the Lord overseas, particularly in “third world” countries. He’s not sure what his next assignment will be, but has made himself available to the Lord. He asked me if I would be on the lookout for ministry opportunities where his expertise and experience would be of value. His humility, sincerity, and desire to be used by the Lord were obvious.
Here’s a man in the last half of his life who is totally open to be used by the Lord. He has what I refer to as “eternal perspective,” the desire to make a difference for the kingdom. I pray that the Lord will open just the right door of opportunity in His perfect timing. It is a privilege to meet and work with people who have put their future plans in God’s hands and are willing to go anywhere, anyplace, at any time for the sake of the gospel and the kingdom.
From one of the missionaries to the orphans. She is detailing how they are using the funds we were able to send her:
“I thank God so much for His provisions and using you as our parents. I am carefully using the resources you have given for most needed area. We went to the market and got some ambrelas (umbrellas), slippers (sandals), under wares, and school needs for the children (orphans). We will pray and use wisely the rest for helping the children as much as possible. Please tell everyone who are helping us; we have unspeakable thanks to them and pray for them too.”
Prayer:
Father, thank you that the funds we sent made it to our partners on the ground in Myanmar. I pray that you would continue to meet their most basic needs and protect them in Jesus name. I also pray that you would abundantly provide for us to send even more resources to this country in desperate need of the hope of the gospel.
This is the first part of a four part series introducing logical fallacies commonly used by Neo-Darwinists, Evolutionists, and Atheists. To better understand why we should bother to know what these fallacies are, please read the introduction.
Appeal to Majority
The majority of people (in this case, academic scientists) believe something to be true, therefore it is true. This fallacy is committed when the rhetoric turns to comments such as “everyone knows” or “any true scientist will tell you”, etc.
Wherein the appeal is to consider how many ascribe to the position instead of calmly using the merits of the position itself. This is very common among evolutionists.
Argumentum Ad Populum
An appeal to emotion occurs when rhetoric replaces logic and the intent is to make an audience act on emotion instead of rational judgment.
It is ultimately an attempt to steer the thinker toward subjectivism—a position based on the desire to believe something rather than a logical conclusion based on fact.
A Thin Smokescreen at Best
In the neo-Darwinist strategy, there is a continuous tension to ensure our children are educated in line with the rest of the world. It appeals to the emotions of parents who might somehow be concerned that we are robbing our kids of a decent “science” education by considering, for example, intelligent design. It’s funny that even though evolution has not been proven as fact, the argumentum ad populum and appeal to majority are played as smokescreens to strongly imply that it has been proven and accepted by true scientists all over the world, and therefore should not be questioned. Otherwise, we Americans might be ridiculed by the international community and left behind as other cultures embrace the implications that evolution gives society the freedom to pursue. This entire strategy is heavily rooted in these two logical fallacies.
For example:
“…remember that this is a political problem, not a scientific one. Please try to avoid “science talk.” As Eugenie Scott, our executive director at the National Center for Science Education says, “We will not solve this problem [allowing the teaching of ID theory in schools] by throwing science at it. We must appeal to the legislators as fellow citizens, parents, and educators. No academic-speak! 
…We have to stop them [ID advocates]” (excerpt from The Panda’s Thumb).
This one’s pretty clear—a thin smokescreen at best.
There are lots more examples where this came from. Proceed with caution though as you search for them. You will find the rhetoric quite harsh, illogical, venomous, insulting, condescending, and: all directed at you—the thinking believer. And if you feel the need to respond to some of these posts, remember—attract don’t attack; we must be the salt and light to a lost world…
It has been said that it does not take new believers very long to distance themselves from their non-Christian friends and neighbors after their salvation experience. What a tremendous witnessing opportunity he or she is missing as a result of the misguided influence of self-righteous Christians. Are we supposed to be “set apart” and pursue holiness to the extreme that we miss the opportunity to tell of the same grace by which we were saved? No! By all means, convince a new believer that they are a missionary to those in their lives that are lost. Encourage them to take the Good News of their salvation to their friends, neighbors, and colleagues. Remind them to “make the most of every opportunity” (Col. 4:5). Realize that a new believer is instantly qualified for evangelism. He can share his testimony of the trust he is placing in Christ for his salvation. Or he can tell of the security he has of knowing that he will spend eternity in heaven.
Relationships with non-Christians should be maintained regardless of the amount of effort it may take. According to Dr. Haddon W. Robinson:
“Making a place in your life for non-Christian neighbors demands effort, thought, and at times risk. Bridges are harder to construct than walls. But that doesn’t alter this reality: Outsiders to faith are first drawn to Christians and then to Christ. Unfortunately, not all Christians attract. Like a turned magnet, some repel. Yet Christians, alive to God, loving, caring, laughing, sharing, involved at the point of people’s needs, present an undeniable witness for Christ in their society” (from the foreword of Aldrich’s “Lifestyle Evangelism”).
God may use your relationship with that person to draw your friend to Himself. God may use you to share the gospel with your friend. If He did provide that opportunity, would you be prepared? If not, visit Evangelism.net and EvanTell.org for resources and training to help you overcome any obstacles that would render you ineffective if an opportunity to share the gospel comes your way.
