Evangelism

“Preach the gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.” That quote, often attributed to Francis of Assisi, makes me cringe for two reasons. First, I do not believe Francis of Assisi said that. But much more significantly, the (mis)quote distorts the meaning of the gospel.

The gospel is not God the Father, or sin, or repentance and faith, or helping your neighbor move his couch on Saturday morning when all others have forsaken him. The gospel is the good news that God has intervened into the world in the person and work of Jesus Christ, particularly the good news that Jesus died andc rose from the dead (1 Cor. 15:1–4). That is the gospel—sometimes called evangel, traceable back to the Greek word euangelion.

What, then, is evangelism? In the most narrow sense of the word, it is the act by which someone proclaims and explains the gospel—again, the good news that Jesus died and rose from the dead. More broadly, when we evangelize we certainly tell others about God the Father, explain the nature and consequences of sin, and encourage them to turn from their sins and trust in Jesus Christ. But the center of evangelism is the proclamation of the good news that Jesus died and rose from the dead, which is the only way sinners can be reconciled to God. To think that we can preach the gospel without words is, well, unthinkable.

The resources below help us to share all these truths (not simply Jesus’s death and resurrection) with clarity and confidence.

Worldviews

A worldview is an integrated set of a person’s deepest beliefs, values, and desires that determines the trajectory and behaviors of his or her life. It answers questions such as (with Christian answers in parentheses):

  • Who or what is the ultimate, most important reality in the universe? (the one true, triune God of the Bible)

  • What is humanity’s most significant problem? (our sin against God and its horrific consequences)

  • What is the solution to that problem? (the perfect life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ)

  • How should we live? (by the power the Holy Spirit, as men and women of Christlike character, to evangelize and disciple others, for the glory of God)

  • What will guide our most significant beliefs about ultimate reality? (the Bible)

We must never assume that the people we want to introduce to God answer these questions the way that we do. And therefore we must be well-educated in alternate worldviews. Immediately below are resources that will help you understand others’ beliefs and how that will shape the way you speak to others about God.

Encountering World Religions by Irving Hexham (2): An accessible introduction to world religions.

*Hidden Worldviews by Steve Wilkens and Mark L. Sanford (2 or 3): A worldview is not simply a set of intellectual beliefs. It actually creates and shapes the story of our lives. For example, individualism says, “I am the center of the universe.” And consumerism says, “I am what I own.” This book will help you to identify idolatry when you see it, and then to confront it appropriately, both in your own and others’ lives.

*The Universe Next Door by James W. Sire (3): A useful introduction to the theological and philosophical beliefs that shape people’s lives.

Telling the Truth by D. A. Carson (ed.) (3): A collection of presentations from a conference on evangelizing postmoderns—those with a worldview that question the existence and knowability of truth. In particular, read and reread the chapters by Mark Dever and D. A. Carson.

Personal Evangelism

The Gospel Comes with a House Key by Rosaria Butterfield (2): While showing hospitality is not evangelism, it does provide a context for you to share the good news of Jesus Christ with others.

Start by Jay Simala (2): One of the most important parts of sharing your faith is simply knowing what you believe. As you share your faith with others, what two or more things do you want them to know about God the Father? About sin and its consequences? About why Jesus died on a cross and rose from the dead? I wrote this book to provide you with clear and concise answers to those questions, so you can explain that information to others, whether to your children, your neighbor, or anyone else.

Tactics by Gregory Koukl (2 or 3): The author fills the book with concrete examples of how to dialogue with non-Christians. As I worked through it, I thought, “I could say that. I could do that.” What a confidence builder.

*Marks of the Messenger by J. Mack Stiles (2 or 3): God has intervened into the world in the person of Jesus Christ—that is the gospel. Per the subtitle of the book, the author helps us know the gospel, live out the implications of the gospel, and proclaim and explain the gospel to others.

Evangelism by J. Mack Stiles (2 or 3): The author explains the corporate dimension of evangelism within our churches.

Joyfully Spreading the Word by Kathleen Nielson & Gloria Furman (eds.) (2): A diverse and balanced collection of chapters on taking the good news of Jesus Christ into the world.

Conversion by Michael Lawrence (2 or 3): Conversion is simply turning from our sins and trusting in Jesus Christ. Understanding that is one of most important parts of effectively introducing others to God through Jesus Christ.

Evangelism as Exiles by Elliot Clark (2 or 3): The author focuses on how to pursue God’s mission for our lives when this world is not our home.