A power all its own
Never one to tiptoe around an issue, Jeff Weddle turns his attention to evangelism and sales:
Evangelism is often lumped into selling, whether by churchy-folk or not. We treat God as a commodity and we have to meet our quota, keep the Boss happy with our performance. I just need a bite. Just sign your name so I can tell the Boss I’m a good salesman.It gets even better, so I urge you to read the whole thing. Jeff also has a few thoughts on "seeker-sensitive" services.
The problem with this view of the Gospel is that it completely contradicts Scripture. Jesus Christ continually turned people away. Several times He even refused to talk to some people. The Apostles would leave if a town rejected them. Then, of course, the most amazing of all evangelism stories, we have Jonah himself who was the most reluctant yet successful apostle of all time.
The problem with treating the Gospel as a sales pitch is that we then market Truth. Hardly anyone wants Truth, so to make them take it, to sign their name, to get you closer to your quota, you have to change Truth so they’ll swallow it. Do whatever it takes to turn the No into a Yes.
This is a mockery of the Gospel.
posted by Milton Stanley at 4:58 PM
9 Comments:
Thanks again for all your links lately Milton. I'm honored.
You're welcome, Jeff. And thank you for all the strong content lately.
Of course the content of the gospel cannot be altered. To do so is both heresy and sin. That said, we persuade men. It's important. Clumsy presentation and emotional detachment from the lost do not protect the integrity of the gospel. That's what I think, anyway.
Very good point, Chris. Thanks for sharing your insights.
Good stuff from Mr. Weddle! Thanks.
Brother! Have I committed heresy?
Please help.
;-)
BG
Thanks for pointing me to your comment, Bill. You make a very good point that even the transforming power of the gospel can be twisted to make it about us. Sad but true.
Brother Milton,
I am glad you received my comment as intended. I was not suggesting that the gospel is NOT transformative, merely that we are often guilty of idolizing the gospel's effects and not worshiping (and presenting) the Cause. Often evangelism IS an appeal to vanity, to lust: to simony, or the spirit of Simon (Acts 8:18)
Indeed.
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