Evangelism

Our conception of evangelism is too narrow. Usually, we think of it in terms of friendship or lifestyle evangelism to the exclusion of all other forms, especially in regards to people of other faiths. In this regards, we’re told, “Nothing should offend. Never point out contradictions, inconsistencies, or historical inaccuracies in another person’s religious beliefs.” However, in the June 2008 issue of Christianity Today, Dean Alford writes that debate can be a powerful tool:

“Partly due to this debate [between the missionary Karl Pfander and a Muslim theologian], Protestant missions gained greater credibility among Muslims and Hindus inside colonial India, and two high-profile Indians from a Muslim background were baptized less than 10 years later.”

There are definite weaknesses in lifestyle evangelism. It often communicates the wrong message—that Christianity is more about smiles and pleasantries than truth and rationality. Jay Smith, an evangelist to the Muslims, feels that this approach might be disingenuous and too vacuous to reach those who are looking for more substance:

“It is better to be straightforward (and loving) about what we believe than to be overly careful. I think more people ache for authenticity than what we want to imagine.” (Alford)

Last year, I attended an interfaith dialogue at a local church. The hosting pastor carefully followed the unspoken rules of lifestyle evangelism throughout. I was intrigued to see a 15 year- old male and approached him before the event began. “Why are you interested in this dialogue?” I asked.

The youth responded that he was very interested in what the Imam had to say. Further intrigued, I asked why? He responded that although he had grown up in church, Muslims seemed to be more zealous and outspoken about their faith and this is appealed to him.

There’s more to evangelism than being a good friend. There’s a mandate for a vigorous defense of the Gospel (Jude 3). Paul had no problem with this confrontational approach:

“As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. "This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ," he said. Some of the Jews were persuaded” (Acts 17:2-4).

Our box should be filled with a variety of tools. Sometimes a soft cloth is called for, and sometimes the hammer. Smith concludes:

“The only way to deal with this radical form of Islam is with an equally radical form of Christianity.” (Alford)

Daniel Mann