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Christianity Today, January, 2008 |

Foolish Things

A Hole in Our Holism

Why evangelicals might be shy about sharing their faith.

Stan Guthrie | posted 1/21/2008 09:21AM

My only personal encounter with the late D. James Kennedy did not go particularly well. I was still a wide-eyed writer at Coral Ridge Ministries in Fort Lauderdale. But about a year and a half into my ...

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Steve Fleet

Posted: January 28, 2008 8:58 PM

I do hope the author of this article was writing tongue-in-cheek. For the first thirty-one years of my life I had people trying to jam Jesus down my throat under the guise of "evangelism". It wasn't until certain people started to serve me and reach out to me in unselfish gentleness and love that my hard heart became softened and I truly saw my Lord Jesus Christ and allowed Him into my life. Talk is cheap...a person's lifestyle can speak volumes. Praise God for those faithful servants!

CBob	Posted: January 27, 2008 1:31 PM


"The Religious Right is Neither" - I love that. The modern day 'religous right' so called should take a cue from Jesus who fled immediately whenever there was talk of 'making him king by force'; the Kingdom of God is not, nor ever has been, nor will be, a 'geopolitical entity'.

Billy Reed

Posted: January 26, 2008 7:16 PM

I was not planning on making a comment but after reading the other comments I feel compelled to add my 2 cents. I am reminded of the movie "Amazing Grace" which I saw at the theater and on DVD at home. Fantastic movie! If you have not seen it, get it. The story is of William Wilburforce who worked tirelessly until his last days on earth to end the slave trade and slavery itself in England. Sounds like a guy who really loved the "social" gospel. But he wrote a book about the sorry state of christianity in England at the time and in his book he spoke of the foolishness of trying to change your culture without the very important idea of knowing what Christ had done for you as savior. With out the understanding of Christ as your savior who died to pay the penalty for our sins you will lack the true inner passion to change the cultural landscape around you. It is our knowledge of the Gospel (Christ died for our sins) that provides the fuel to power any social change.

Gaylan Mathiesen

Posted: January 24, 2008 3:28 PM

Yes, it is both/and--Jesus never made a distinction. Evangelism to the soul and ministry to the body were the inside and outside of the jar. Unfortunately, for us Enlightenment formed Westerners the dialectical question of either/or will continue to haunt us, and I suspect the debate will never totally subside. The rise in activism among Evangelicals (and all the rest) is to be applauded, for sure. Yet our churches have tended to drive into one ditch or the other. Perhaps some of the correction will come when we cease to see mission and the church as two separate entities, and allow God's mission to all the world (the purpose for which we were created and left here) to define the church's essence. Near and far, it's all about God "totally embracing that which should not be embraced (Kitamori)," in as many ways as we are able.

Andrew

Posted: January 24, 2008 12:12 PM


Please visit: http://www.tentmaker.org Evangelicals may have a hard time sharing their faith because they don't really believe that 99% of all mankind will be eternally tormented by God in Hell. Evangelicals are looking more and more like "terrorist organizations" with their doctrine of "fear".

Claude Cunningham

Posted: January 23, 2008 12:49 AM

In reality, being inescapably human sinners, nobody is going to get it right, either evangelism by the word or evangelism by action, and a big mistake is to put either one ahead of the other - you cannot divorce them. I am appalled at those who proudly proclaim the spoken gospel and rubbish the sacrificial work of those who seek to be Christ to the world. Equally I am appalled at those who sneer at missions and outreach and are militant in social issues. Sneering, in fact, is probably our chief downfall - as James Kennedy sneered at Columbia Theological. Sinner and Saint in one body. Anyone out there want to claim we can expect perfection this side of death? And then we'll all be gasping at how much we underestimated God's patience and love.

Scott Marshall

Posted: January 22, 2008 2:07 PM

On the one hand I agree: The Gospel isn't just social advancement and making the world a bit better. The Gospel is much more bracing, calling for a radical overthrow of everything, to be culminated in a new heaven and a new earth. But on the other hand, to quote Dr Tim Keller (a fellow of PCA'er of Dr Kennedy), the purpose of salvation, the direction in which God's salvation is moving is a restored material creation--a new heaven, a new earth. So the "eternal destiny" of these "souls" (all Greek formulations) is toward a fulfilling work in a material universe. Yes we need evangelism, and yes we need social justice. They are two sides of the same coin. One can't be present without the other. Maybe salvation isn't present if it's just one. As John Wesley noted, the two wings of religion are Works of Piety (inward faith, a saved soul) and Works of Mercy (social justice, reordering and caring for the physical creation, serving this world) and by them we rise toward God.

Anonymous

Posted: January 22, 2008 1:13 PM

What is crucial to asking those Kennedy questions is what the interviewer believes conversion is about: Is it *my* decision or God's grace through Holy Baptism or hearing the Gospel that makes a person a Christian? If one believes the former, then I would not want to be handcuffed to you on judgment day, for God does not look for any person to take any credit whatsover for his/her salvation. If one believes the latter, that it is solely and completely GOD'S DECISION (See John 15:20) then one can be be certain that one will enter heaven. Those who espouse "decision theology" will always be in doubt because they will always be asking themselves, "Do I believe enough?" or, "Do I really believe?" I think we need to remember what the Apostle John wrote: "These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name." (John 20:31)

Word, deed, and new being

Posted: January 22, 2008 1:10 PM

Hmm... I think the evangelism and social action must remain inextricably linked together. Perhaps that's what the author is saying, but he comes across more as saying that if we have to make a choice between the two, we had better choose the more important and spiritual option. That is not the most helpful way to frame the issue. Let's keep them both together as crucial pieces of what it means to be a community in mission instead of pitting one against the other.

Wm. S

Posted: January 22, 2008 7:53 AM


A hole in our Holism-Amen. When we are writing articles on rob bell,brian mclaren to make a buck becuase they are megachurch, WE ARE DONE, ITS OVER. We are to educated to do CHRIST any good. May you bless HIM who is Worthy.(CHRIST)

Ephrem Hagos

Posted: January 22, 2008 7:08 AM

Sharing a man-made, hollow and nominal faith lacks the boldness of sharing God-made, real and full of substance and evidence based on the infallible proof of Jesus' divine identity and immortality as demonsted once and for all through His passion week and especially on His death (something completely out of currency today) just as He taught and just as it happened for verification even by posterity! The former kind of faith is obviously counter-productive. It is the latter kind of faith that our Apostle to the Gentiles (Paul) knew and described as God's incomparably powerful weapon forever usable to destroy strongholds, false arguments, deceptions and disobedience (2 Cor. 10: 4-6) starting in on a world-wide undertaking for posterity. As it is written, the light brought to mankind still shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out (John 1: 4-5). Whoever wants to know the truth about Jesus can find it right at His death on the cross. For help, visit www.the2keys.com

Revd Elias Yinka Eniade

Posted: January 22, 2008 12:57 AM

This is a shocking discovery I found when I came into America two years ago. I have been a missionary in Africa all my life. The materials and training we received back in Africa from here encouraged many of us to boldly share our faith with unbelievers over there. And it really worked and still works. I tell you there is a tremendous joy you can NEVER experience until you obey shariing the Good News. Many evangelicals here in the States are more of hearers, sharers, speakers, and writers but not doers of the truths they exported to us in Africa. This should cause us to weep and repent and go back to the raw, basic thing. The Great Commission is not a great ommision. There is no other way to populate heaven and depopulate hell than by sharing the raw Good News. We like to respect the opinions of individuals here. We are afraid to "disturb" or "annoy" or "offend" others. If we are not offensive with our message, then we should be ready for hell's invasion against the Church.

The Planter

Posted: January 21, 2008 11:08 PM


This is not a legacy of spirit filled obedience. This is about man and what man can do and not about what only God can do. I'm saddened! www.theplanter.blogspot.com

lori tischler

Posted: January 21, 2008 11:04 PM

AHHH! Why do evangelical Christians have to think about the issues always, and only, in black and white: either/or. It's both. Please don't waste your time and ours trying to make a message out of a molehill. As a past E.E. devotee, I taught, trained and witnessed to over a hundred with the exciting E.E. presentation. I love it! It is brilliantly simple and I use versions of it to this day. Yes, it bothers me that more Christians don't appear to be interested in sharing their faith. But it used to bother me that evangelicals were perhaps the only religious group in the world NOT mindful of social issues. That seems to be changing. Praise the Lord! It's all good...ALL is in BOTH! Please, Steve, you've been a favorite author of mine, don't go all one dimensional on me now.

Philip

Posted: January 21, 2008 9:49 PM

If there is one thing we can learn from history is that an active social program (without putting the gospel first) to take away poverty, injustice, discrimination, etc. will ultimately end in failure or disappointment. We were very concerned about countries that were under colonial rule and campaigned actively for their independence as students. Today almost all these countries are worse than they were before Britain became great due to a large measure because of the Methodist revival started by George Whitefield and the Wesleys. The changed lives of the believers started the anti-slavery movement, the unions, etc. It's good of Guthrie to remind us where to put our priorities.

Anna	Posted: January 21, 2008 9:42 PM

Everybody is missing the point. As a Jew, Jesus when he says love your neighbor means to follow the Ten Commandents not run out and hug everyone, support them money wise and make everyone all the same/equal as socialism demands. Jesus said the poor are always with you. If you follow the Commandments, don't steal from your neighbor, don't cheat with their spouse, etc., you are "loving your neighbor" as the Jews understood the statement in those days. And "loving as yourself" means you don't want others breaking the Commandents on you either. We of today are taking the loving them as yourself beyond its meaning of Jesus' time into socialism. Your "mission" is loving Jesus first, than spreading the word while following the Ten Commandments (loving others as yourself), than when you go out to help the poor, there lays your "works". With this order, you return from todays new interpretation of Christianity as socialism back to the original meaning of Chrisitianity. Keep your eyes on Jesus.

Pete Albers

Posted: January 21, 2008 8:11 PM

Another death knell to the evangelistic movement is the restrictions through church bylaws for people to become missionaries Churches are more concerned about sending people through 4 year Bible colleges before even attempting to send them out as missionaries The Assemblies of God require 2 years in the pulpit before sending them out while Youth With A Mission only requires a 3 month lectgure phase of their DTS and 3 months in a foreign country before graduating their students the result 17,000 missionaries all over the world while most denominations average of about 4000 missionaries in which we can lean from YWAMs example but denominations are refusing to follow that system if all the major church followed the YWAM system the world would be evangelized in a few years Salvation Army founder William Booth went into the bars and brothels in England forcing him to resign from the Methodist Church because they didnt want his derelict converts in their churches.

greg	Posted: January 21, 2008 4:27 PM

I was a member at coral ridge so i know this for a fact! kennedy was a man who meant well. he and a lot of politicians built an empire and made him dictator of this empire. the sad part is that theirs no joy, peace, grace kindness. this place is only about money and power. ee for example is a marketing tool that is so old fashioned and sometimes really offends people. i can share the gospel in 10 minutes and don't have to buy materials and take some boring course. this church has NEVER had 10000 members like they claim. the church is down to about 200 families and even they don't get involved in serving the lord. they think the little people should do the service and the little people can do the work. i hope all presbyterian church arn't so stuffy and unloving! the holy spirit left this place a long time ago. the state the church is in now is very depressing and has nothing to do w kennedy's death! this church as a whole had a heart attack many years ago!

Aníbal Perpetua

Posted: January 21, 2008 4:04 PM

Es importante poder decir en pocas palabras el mensaje de Salvación, porque no es mucho el tiempo que disponemos en nuestras coversaciones cotidianas para hablar de Dios en forma coloquial. Suelo usar expresiones taleas como seguridad, confianza, tranquilidad, que la muerte es parte de la vida y es bueno tener la esperanza de un lugar asegurado por Cristo para toda la eternidad. Tener la tranquilidad que Dios na perdonado porque ha dado la oportunidad de reconcer, arrepentirse y creer. Eso trae paz, especialmente en el momento de la muerte.- Y también suelo decir, alegremente, además voy a estar lindo, porque tendré un cuerpo glorificado. La gente te escucha, sonríe y queda pensando en ese mensaje sereno y profundo. Claro, que tenés que respaldarlo con una vida más o menos decente, porque los hechos hablan más fuerte que las palabras. Bendiciones, Aníbal, desde Bahìa Blanca, Argentina..-

Wayne Duffield

Posted: January 21, 2008 3:47 PM


I think your broadside against D. James Kennedy is ill-timed and misdirected. There is no one in recent years who has done more to spread the gospel, reformed theology, and engage our culture with biblical principles than the late Dr. Kennedy.

Gary Sweeten

Posted: January 21, 2008 3:22 PM

I came to Christ 60 years ago and have been involved in almost every kind of church and ministry. There are various gifts and various offices. Apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher. To suggest that every person and every church and every leader ought to be an evangelist is plain wrong and unbiblical. The teachers want to do nothing but teach; the pastors want to do nothing but care and the apostles want to do nothing but missions. I Corninthians 12, 13 and 14 lays out a balanced plan so why not do what the Bible says?

Jon Westlund

Posted: January 21, 2008 3:14 PM

I agree with the title. I do believe that there is not just the two primary issues discussed that take time from the other, but that it is a tragedy to lose any part of the whole network of things Guthrie mentions. Fear could be behind some of our lack of evangelism. But I think even more important is no clear clarion call to be whole in our character and in our tasks. This could still our fears and unite us. Thank you.

Stan Baldwin

Posted: January 21, 2008 1:38 PM

The greatest commandments are to, first love God with our whole being, and second love our neighbors as ourselves. The problem, as I see it, is that too many--millions, in fact--say they love God but don't seem to know what loving their neighbor even looks like. This shows in hateful actions and attitudes toward social and political opponents and in personal self-centeredness, with indifference to any but a few high-profile needs. Making more "christians" who know nothing of neighbor love only increases the disconnect between religion and the 99 lost sheep. Shades of the Pharisees versus Jesus!

good news

Posted: January 21, 2008 1:10 PM

those who are to share the good news must themselves have the good news alive in their own lives, otherwise it is teaching others by rote what we have learned by rote. We do not want to have people follow Jesus because of catchphrases or cups of water but want people to follow Jesus because of whom Jesus is in himself. This is not to say we should not give away cups of water or soup or bread. But they must somewhere along the line taste the Living water and Buy for free the living Bread. These things only happen when those who are making disciples are doing it by lifestyle choice rather than following formulas and rote-taught school textbooks from seminary.

Bill Bray

Posted: January 21, 2008 1:10 PM

Very nice reminder. We can't say this often enough. I confess that I find myself sometimes hiding behind our mission's social programs in tough countries and with the media and other unfriendly publics here at home. The physical side of our holistic ministries sometimes make a too comfortable rationale for our existence. Everyone understands the social purpose--even the most secular and humanistic, the Jihadist, and of course the indifferent. Even though it makes them uncomfortable at times, let's keep spiritual conversion high and strong on our agendas.

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