Relevant + Evangelism

I've started this blog to iron out the wrinkles in my thoughts on evangelism- more specifically, my experience with it. It's my hope that if I end up sharing it, it will have an edifying and clarifying effect, rather than add to the noise that already exists in the minds of people and on the internet.

I've been thinking a lot of the concept of Relevant Evangelism. I'm not sure what it is yet- I just coined the phrase today. Or maybe I didn't coin it, maybe it already exists. The idea behind it is that it is possible to share the gospel in a way that is personally, spiritually, culturally, historically and scientifically relevant.

I preface all further thoughts with a statement that I read in Josh McDowell's The New Evidence: "If our apologetic prevents us from explaining the Gospel to any person, it is an inadequate apologetic." At the core of Christian apologetics is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the declaration that not only is there a God, but he came down from the comfort and perfection of Heaven to live among sinful men in a broken and fallen world; to die to himself and for those who reject and accept him alike; to rise again and conquer sin, death, the Devil and hell; and most importantly to reconcile us to himself and to purchase for us an eternity in perfect, holy, awesome and blissful fellowship with him and everyone who has called upon his name. This wonderful gospel (and a desire to make it known) must be the driving force behind any dialogue we have about our faith.

So how do we intelligently and passionately share, explain and defend this gospel? How do we present it in a way that those who hear will have no choice but to make a decision, after fully understanding the gospel and its implications, to accept or reject it? I believe God is able to use a variety of ways to accomplish his purposes. Sometimes, the way to do this is to bring out a tract and walk through the Four Spiritual Laws or the Ten Commandments. But from personal experience, not everyone is at a point spiritually where they are even willing to acknowledge God exists, much less be subject to his laws.

Thankfully, God has raised up an army of intellectual and spiritual warriors who have undertaken the task of [studying to present themselves to God as one approved, workmen who do not need to be ashamed, who correctly handle the word of truth]. I believe this is does not apply only to the Bible. I believe that every word, spoken or written; scientific or not; religious or secular needs to be correctly handled so that the truth may be discerned and lies discarded. These warriors have gone into hostile territory, both academic and religious, to seek the truth and make it available to Christians everywhere. Many have produced excellent works that are scientifically relevant and logically sound. With such a vast array of resources, the evangelical Christian has a responsibility to arm himself with this knowledge (after first equipping himself with a thorough knowledge of the Word of God and the Gospel) and boldly declare it to an increasingly skeptical yet desperate world.

Finally, Romans 1:20 says "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse". This verse declares creation as the obvious evidence for a creator. The irony in this is that the more scientifically and technologically "advanced" we become, the more OBVIOUS this truth should be: the degree of precision, detail and complexity present in the universe can only be the result of an intelligent and intentional mind. Sadly, this is not so.

I have to pray that I would read, learn and meditate on truth, and correctly handle and apply it when and where necessary, with all love and humility toward those with whom I share it. For this task I rely not on myself but on the Spirit of Truth himself, the Holy Spirit.