Post by Jeffrey Olver on Sept 2, 2005 9:55:08 GMT -5
Confrontational Evangelism
An Apologetic Article to Well Meaning Christians Opposed to Open Air Preaching.
J.A. Olver
[center]Part One[/center][/u]
Many people, at least in recent years, have happened upon this scene: a man standing at a street corner or college campus on a stepstool or just pacing, with a Bible in hand, lifting his voice to be heard over traffic and to draw a crowd. The man (or woman) is challenging their moral integrity, calling to question their religious beliefs, and pointing out the destructive nature of different lifestyles. There is no flowery speech and no apologizing and there is no backing down. The people gathered are irate that someone would call such things into question, many are concerned with the method, many are provoked to curse, and many are provoked to engage in open debate and discussion.
The scene of a person called by God to “go forth and preach the gospel” is often loud and abrasive. Many Christians think such people are misguided and that these open air preachers have misinterpreted scripture – or are taking it too seriously. Some Christians will often mistake preaching as a method of spreading the good news, when in reality it is the root of other methods, like Gospel tracts, one on one evangelism, Christian music, etc. Jesus says in Mark 16:15 “Go ye therefore into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” He did not say “go and make friends.” He did not say “go and pass out tracts.” While the word “go” covers all these methods, it does not cancel out the basic command to “preach.”
All these methods of preaching the gospel are great and have an impact on the world. The one that has caused the most controversy and uproar however is straight up preaching – also known as evangelizing. Now, there are certain ways to evangelize. You can extol crowds on the love and grace and mercy of God, which can end up in many cases “bribing” people to come to Christ. You can solely cram condemnation down their throats and accuse people of being so wicked that they could never repent. Or, it can be done with something called “confrontational evangelism.”
An important thing to remember is that the Gospel in its entirety is very confrontational. It leaves no room for sin. Jesus did not say that He came to bring the warm fuzzies, but a sword! When a person is presented with the grace and mercy of God, the only way to fully appreciate it is to understand why exactly God is shedding mercy upon them and what they are being saved from. No one likes to hear that they are an adulterer, a liar, a thief, a transgressor, an enemy of God, or a sinner. But, when the mirror of the gospel is held up to their face that is exactly what the reflection shows.
You may be thinking, “Why does it have to be that way?” I think the answer is very well illustrated in the definition of the word confrontation.
Confrontation (n)
1: a bold challenge
2: discord resulting from a clash of ideas or opinions
3: a hostile disagreement face-to-face [syn: encounter, showdown, face-off]
1. A Bold Challenge.
When an open air evangelist is defending the ministry God has called him to do, one of the popular arguments among well-meaning Christians is that Jesus was only abrasive to the Pharisees. Firstly; volume is often mistaken for abrasiveness. Many places will not let you preach open air if you use any sort of amplification, therefore, preachers are forced to raise their voices to even a shouting level. Secondly; Jesus’ message was not only abrasive to the Pharisees.
For instance, when addressing the adulteress who was about to be stoned, when he silenced the Pharisees, he looked to the adulteress and full of compassion told her to “sin no more.” Her way of life was what brought her to the place she was at. I don’t believe it was just on a whim that this woman decided to commit adultery, but it had been in her heart, she had thought about it, planned it, and then actually committed the act (which Jesus says that even if we look upon a person with lust, we commit adultery in our hearts). It was something in her life that was so engrained it eventually she was caught and found deserving of death. And Jesus tells her to “sin no more.”
How abrasive it is indeed when we tell someone that they need to rid their lives of sin, or to change their lifestyle. Yes, the woman about to be stoned must have been extremely grateful because her very life was delivered from death – but when we speak to sinners who are living their lives, secure in the precautions they have taken to avoid death when in fact God has infinite ways to take them out of this world than they can plan against, and tell them to “sin no more” it is quite the bold challenge. It is bold to assume to tell someone to abandon their way of life. Telling someone to cease the very things that bring them enjoyment, popularity and pleasure can’t be taken as anything but a challenge.
For another example, take a look at what is often referred to as the Beatitudes in Matthew chapter five;
"Blessed be the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of God." Matthew 5:3
The Kingdom of God is reserved for those who have renounced their earthly ties, for those who recognize the sovereignty of God, and truly nothing belongs to them – not even their own lives. Only for them? That sounds pretty controversial.
"Blessed are they which mourn for they shall be comforted." Matthew 5:4
Only those who mourn shall be comforted, those who are full of sorrow – not those who insist on their own enjoyment of life.
"Blessed be the meek for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5
What? You mean my position means nothing? My seeking for fame and popularity has nothing to do with it?
"Blessed be they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." Matthew 5:6
Not those who devour flesh with their eyes. Not those who indulge in premarital sex and blasphemy. Only those who do so after righteousness? That’s pretty bigoted.
"Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7
Not the self-centered. Not the man who is looking out for number one? Only those who are merciful? That's so judgmental!
“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8
Only the pure in heart? That’s not very tolerant.
...I think you get the idea.
The definition of beatitude is “supreme blessedness or happiness.” To those who follow Christ, yes, the beatitudes are a blessing and a source of hope. But to those who are perishing, they are intolerant, prejudiced and exclusive. The Bible records the reaction of the multitude that Jesus was preaching to like this; “And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at hid doctrine: for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” Matthew 7:28-29
The people were astonished! They couldn’t believe that someone would make such proclamations on the people that only people who lived a certain way would see God and inherit His kingdom! They were astonished that Jesus would have the audacity to say that if a man were only to lust after a woman, it would be the same as committing adultery (Matthew 5:29) and hate would be the same as murder! Who could make such challenges?
This is an aspect to Confrontational Evangelism, challenging unbelievers. The idea that there is only one way to Heaven and it’s not by merely “being a good person” is a challenge and an affront any law abiding citizen minding their own business or night owl partier. It is a challenge to lay down one’s life and confess that Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father, and that He is to be the Lord of your life.
An Apologetic Article to Well Meaning Christians Opposed to Open Air Preaching.
J.A. Olver
[center]Part One[/center][/u]
Many people, at least in recent years, have happened upon this scene: a man standing at a street corner or college campus on a stepstool or just pacing, with a Bible in hand, lifting his voice to be heard over traffic and to draw a crowd. The man (or woman) is challenging their moral integrity, calling to question their religious beliefs, and pointing out the destructive nature of different lifestyles. There is no flowery speech and no apologizing and there is no backing down. The people gathered are irate that someone would call such things into question, many are concerned with the method, many are provoked to curse, and many are provoked to engage in open debate and discussion.
The scene of a person called by God to “go forth and preach the gospel” is often loud and abrasive. Many Christians think such people are misguided and that these open air preachers have misinterpreted scripture – or are taking it too seriously. Some Christians will often mistake preaching as a method of spreading the good news, when in reality it is the root of other methods, like Gospel tracts, one on one evangelism, Christian music, etc. Jesus says in Mark 16:15 “Go ye therefore into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” He did not say “go and make friends.” He did not say “go and pass out tracts.” While the word “go” covers all these methods, it does not cancel out the basic command to “preach.”
All these methods of preaching the gospel are great and have an impact on the world. The one that has caused the most controversy and uproar however is straight up preaching – also known as evangelizing. Now, there are certain ways to evangelize. You can extol crowds on the love and grace and mercy of God, which can end up in many cases “bribing” people to come to Christ. You can solely cram condemnation down their throats and accuse people of being so wicked that they could never repent. Or, it can be done with something called “confrontational evangelism.”
An important thing to remember is that the Gospel in its entirety is very confrontational. It leaves no room for sin. Jesus did not say that He came to bring the warm fuzzies, but a sword! When a person is presented with the grace and mercy of God, the only way to fully appreciate it is to understand why exactly God is shedding mercy upon them and what they are being saved from. No one likes to hear that they are an adulterer, a liar, a thief, a transgressor, an enemy of God, or a sinner. But, when the mirror of the gospel is held up to their face that is exactly what the reflection shows.
You may be thinking, “Why does it have to be that way?” I think the answer is very well illustrated in the definition of the word confrontation.
Confrontation (n)
1: a bold challenge
2: discord resulting from a clash of ideas or opinions
3: a hostile disagreement face-to-face [syn: encounter, showdown, face-off]
1. A Bold Challenge.
When an open air evangelist is defending the ministry God has called him to do, one of the popular arguments among well-meaning Christians is that Jesus was only abrasive to the Pharisees. Firstly; volume is often mistaken for abrasiveness. Many places will not let you preach open air if you use any sort of amplification, therefore, preachers are forced to raise their voices to even a shouting level. Secondly; Jesus’ message was not only abrasive to the Pharisees.
For instance, when addressing the adulteress who was about to be stoned, when he silenced the Pharisees, he looked to the adulteress and full of compassion told her to “sin no more.” Her way of life was what brought her to the place she was at. I don’t believe it was just on a whim that this woman decided to commit adultery, but it had been in her heart, she had thought about it, planned it, and then actually committed the act (which Jesus says that even if we look upon a person with lust, we commit adultery in our hearts). It was something in her life that was so engrained it eventually she was caught and found deserving of death. And Jesus tells her to “sin no more.”
How abrasive it is indeed when we tell someone that they need to rid their lives of sin, or to change their lifestyle. Yes, the woman about to be stoned must have been extremely grateful because her very life was delivered from death – but when we speak to sinners who are living their lives, secure in the precautions they have taken to avoid death when in fact God has infinite ways to take them out of this world than they can plan against, and tell them to “sin no more” it is quite the bold challenge. It is bold to assume to tell someone to abandon their way of life. Telling someone to cease the very things that bring them enjoyment, popularity and pleasure can’t be taken as anything but a challenge.
For another example, take a look at what is often referred to as the Beatitudes in Matthew chapter five;
"Blessed be the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of God." Matthew 5:3
The Kingdom of God is reserved for those who have renounced their earthly ties, for those who recognize the sovereignty of God, and truly nothing belongs to them – not even their own lives. Only for them? That sounds pretty controversial.
"Blessed are they which mourn for they shall be comforted." Matthew 5:4
Only those who mourn shall be comforted, those who are full of sorrow – not those who insist on their own enjoyment of life.
"Blessed be the meek for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5
What? You mean my position means nothing? My seeking for fame and popularity has nothing to do with it?
"Blessed be they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." Matthew 5:6
Not those who devour flesh with their eyes. Not those who indulge in premarital sex and blasphemy. Only those who do so after righteousness? That’s pretty bigoted.
"Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7
Not the self-centered. Not the man who is looking out for number one? Only those who are merciful? That's so judgmental!
“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8
Only the pure in heart? That’s not very tolerant.
...I think you get the idea.
The definition of beatitude is “supreme blessedness or happiness.” To those who follow Christ, yes, the beatitudes are a blessing and a source of hope. But to those who are perishing, they are intolerant, prejudiced and exclusive. The Bible records the reaction of the multitude that Jesus was preaching to like this; “And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at hid doctrine: for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” Matthew 7:28-29
The people were astonished! They couldn’t believe that someone would make such proclamations on the people that only people who lived a certain way would see God and inherit His kingdom! They were astonished that Jesus would have the audacity to say that if a man were only to lust after a woman, it would be the same as committing adultery (Matthew 5:29) and hate would be the same as murder! Who could make such challenges?
This is an aspect to Confrontational Evangelism, challenging unbelievers. The idea that there is only one way to Heaven and it’s not by merely “being a good person” is a challenge and an affront any law abiding citizen minding their own business or night owl partier. It is a challenge to lay down one’s life and confess that Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father, and that He is to be the Lord of your life.