Comparative world view discussion is a route I love to use in opening up to the subject of the New Birth. The Bible insists dogmatically that the Law is our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. The Number One thing about God is Righteousness. We must come, apologetically or whatever, to see that we must have our sins forgiven by the utterly Righteous God. Church could become an extension of the apologetics that the pastor and others know have been in play by witnesses to those present and being dealt with individually. We must be as Ezekel. He sat where his hearers sat. He learned where they were spiritually and spoke to them accordingly. I think Jesus and Paul operated their group-leading ministries this way too. If I am wrong on this, how am I wrong? If I am right on this, why is it impossible for us to be like Christ, Paul, and Ezekiel about this? We are to like Christ.

Rick Richardson is not saying that one can be a member of a church without believing. Rather, he is saying that today's nonbelievers are searching for [1] community (a place to belong) with truthful, self-disclosing, genuinely caring people who are involved in making a positive difference in the world, e.g., caring for the less fortunate, and [2] answers to the Big Questions associated with "spirituality." He insists that we Christians need to build friendships (not evangelism opportunities) with nonbelievers, listen to and hear them out about their "spirituality," offer to pray for them, and share our faith at moments when our faith is relevant to the conversation we're having with our friend. An invitation to come and see how we Christians worship, have fun together, lead our lives as Christians, and so forth, is part of sharing our faith. I'd add: The 12 disciples belonged to a group before they fully understood Jesus' identity, put their faith in him, or received the Spirit!

Shades of trial marriage concepts of the unregenerate culture where the persons try each other out for supposed compatibility before they ever make a commitment. It certainly has the markings of making the non-believer look good to be associated, but it diminishes the New Testament reality that the Lord adds to the church such as should be saved! Heaven help us!

uh, truth4you, did you like, even READ the book???

This is an excellent book, in similar vien as Hybels WALK ACROSS THE ROOM. This is one of the best books on evangelism that i have read at the moment. It puts forth clearly one of many styles of evangelism, and makes faith sharing accessible to those who don't feel comfortable.