Category: Evangelism

Bryan Stone’s book, Evangelism After Pluralism: The Ethics of Christian Witness, has been in my pile of books to read for quite some time. Thankfully, I picked it up this week and am beginning to work my way through it. I’m only just a couple of chapters in at the moment but have already discovered what I think is a most refreshing understanding of the task of evangelism. Stone writes…

I argue that rather than an attempt to secure converts, the task of evangelism is instead to bear faithful witness to the good news as the people of God in a particular context and in such a way that it can be taken seriously and imagined as an authentic possibility for one’s life and for the world. To evangelize is to bear witness to beauty, so that the logic of evangelism is the logic of faithfulness, witness, exemplification, and embodiment rather than the logic of production, competition, or winning. (p. 17)

Since I’m just getting started with Stone’s book, I don’t want to speculate too much about what he wrote here as I’m fairly confident he is going to flesh it out a bit more throughout his book. However, there are a couple of things in his understanding of the task of evangelism that stick out to me. First is evangelism’s duty of not just securing converts. I’m not sure I’ve ever liked the word “convert.” Most likely it’s because of the image that comes to my mind when I hear this word. I link it to coercive and manipulative type tactics to get someone to say “yes” just for the sake of a number. I’m sure there are many who don’t see the word this way, but that’s the image that comes to my mind.

Unfortunately, I fear that when many think of evangelism, both Christians and non-Christians, what they only envision is the winning of souls. What counts is those that cross the line and follow Jesus. In no way am I negating the glorious decision one makes to follow Christ. Paul’s desire for the Israelites was that they may be saved (Romans 10:1). I hope that’s our prayer for those around us. However, I feel that what Stone is hinting at here is that when you make evangelism only about “securing converts,” you lean towards the exploitation of others and therefore, treat them as projects in which you no longer “love your neighbor as you love yourself.”

Second, when Stone writes that “to evangelize is to bear witness to beauty,” something seems to leap in my soul. I think the reason why this is so for me is because I have not often thought of the gospel as something that is beautiful. Or at least I have not used such vernacular. But the truth is that the gospel is beautiful. It’s the story of all stories. I am reminded of the words of Blaise Pascal when he wrote that we should “make religion attractive, make good men wish it were true, and then show that it is.” At the very core of our being, we really do want the gospel to be true because it’s that beautiful of a story. And of course, it is true!

Let me quickly wrap up this short post by sharing just a few things. First, I consider the sharing of the gospel as of primary importance to the world around us. Once again, it’s the story of all stories. Second, I continue to want to learn what it means to converse the gospel with others. Growing in evangelism is important to me. Finally, I think we (myself included), based upon what I have seen and what I hear from others, are going to have to relearn some things in regards to the task of evangelism. This is why I am excited about reading Stone’s book. Am I going to agree with everything? Probably not? But is it going to push me to becoming more like Jesus in my practice of evangelism? I definitely think it will!

Just so you will know, there will be further reflections in the weeks ahead concerning Stone’s Evangelism After Pluralism. If you’ve read it, I would like to hear your thoughts. If you haven’t read, pick up a copy and feel free to chime in to the potential discussion.

Leave a Comment

Within the last year I have witnessed panic, fear, anger, frustration and distress wash over so many folks. No doubt there has been good reason for such an abundance of emotions. From the global pandemic to the violence of racism to the anxieties of our future government, there has appeared to be no end in sight to our fractured world.

So what are we as Christ-followers to do? How are we who are to display the Kingdom of grace and mercy to respond? Now I’m not offering a definitive solution here. The issues are way too complex. But I do have a suggestion for us as the people of God. I see it as a starting place. And it is that we become listeners!

As I’ve encountered the thoughts and opinions of others, I’ve become convinced that many have become very good at judging, overreacting, criticizing, and blaming. When I read through Facebook posts and comments, I am astonished at how quick some are to point out the wrong they see in other’s assumptions and beliefs. What’s unfortunate is that some Christians don’t behave any differently. “But we gotta stand for truth, right?” “Gotta stand up for Jesus!”

But what if we listened? What if we practiced being more present in the lives of others with our ears rather than our tongue? What if we sought to understand instead of always trying to take a stand? What if we approached others with a heart to learn rather than a lesson to give? What if we learned to walk in the shoes of another instead of racing by with our agenda?

Now when I write about listening, I don’t want you to misread this as being a passive act. Yes, it is possible to be apathetic as we nod at the words of another. But the type of listening I’m talking about here is ACTIVE. It’s being fully present as we move into another’s world to feel their joy and pain. It’s empathic as we absorb another’s thoughts not to respond with our personal diatribe but to see what they see and feel what they feel. 

So what if we approached our next disagreement, whether that be political, theological, or philosophical, not with a rash counterargument but with a question? Not a loaded question to gather material to poke holes in another’s view, but one in which seeks to know the person. What if we humbled ourselves and allowed the views of another to teach us a bit more of who we are and who we need to be? Again, what if we listened? 

I’m afraid that sometimes, not always, we as church folk are too quick to speak. Along with everyone else, we have this deep desire to be heard. And yes, I agree that the gospel must be proclaimed. But we must step back and dissect what this sharing of the gospel needs to look like in our world today. Consider these words recently spoken by a college student: “All Christians want to do is get their point across and persuade you to agree with them.”

There is an insurmountable sum of noise in our world. I wonder what would happen if we as the church quit adding to it and instead began to listen. In the midst of the shouting match among so many, what if we who are to display God’s Kingdom removed our voice and replaced it with our listening presence? Could it be that as we did so we might actually then have a gospel response that’s of worth and one which the world around us wants to hear?

So are we listening? The truth is…well…sometimes. But we can start today. Begin right where you are. This is actually the key. You don’t need to find new people. You don’t need to start a “listening” program for your church. Just put down your phone and pay attention to those God has already placed in your life and day. Be present. Pray. Learn. And perhaps watch God move as you open up your life (and ears) to really hear those around you. 

Leave a Comment