Ethics of Proselytization

[rambot]

Our small group did a great study on this.

When Paul uses the analogy of the human body and how every organ is different and serves a purpose and contributes to the functioning of the body, this is how a church works.

I have gifts for leading worship and I have gifts for compassion. I do not have gifts for discipliship. Some other friends of mine with severe social anxiety also struggle with that.

I always just think we need to be ready and WILLING to have those conversations but I do believe the charge given to the discplies was for THEM.

 

[RDKirk]

Our small group did a great study on this.

When Paul uses the analogy of the human body and how every organ is different and serves a purpose and contributes to the functioning of the body, this is how a church works.

I have gifts for leading worship and I have gifts for compassion. I do not have gifts for discipliship. Some other friends of mine with severe social anxiety also struggle with that.

I always just think we need to be ready and WILLING to have those conversations but I do believe the charge given to the discplies was for THEM.

Or rather, as I've mentioned earlier, for people who are specifically called by the Holy Spirit to be evangelists.

We've got too many people who don't have the gift doing a lot of ham-fisted evangelism. Too many feet trying to be hands.

 

[rambot]

Or rather, as I've mentioned earlier, for people who are specifically called by the Holy Spirit to be evangelists.

We've got too many people who don't have the gift doing a lot of ham-fisted evangelism. Too many feet trying to be hands.

YES! Agreed. As Jesus said, they have received their reward in full. I just think it's too bad because I am 100% positive some of those people are stirring up discontent against Christians and God.

 

[FireDragon76]

Not in scripture.

The only time proselytes are mentioned explicitly in the Scriptures is by Jesus himself, and he does so negatively.

 

[RDKirk]

The only time proselytes are mentioned explicitly in the Scriptures is by Jesus himself, and he does so negatively.

Of of the men selected as a supply steward in the congregation of Jerusalem was explicitly identified as a proselyte.

 

[Hans Blaster]

Aversion to proselytism seems to be a secular and rather anti-religious dogma.

Nah. It's just a creepy thing to do. Bugging people on the street (or worse) to lure them over to another church. Pointless and annoying. If I couldn't avoid them or blow past them, there was always "Leave me alone. I've already got a church." as I did have one.

The reason someone within a secular culture would be averse is because they would be taught by secularism that proselytism involves insincerity and an objectification of persons.

Ha! I didn't need a "secular culture" to teach me it was creepy and insincere. It didn't even try. They proselytizers made it clear with out any help from "secular culture" to reach that conclusion.

But anyone who is a Christian believes in evangelization and arguably proselytism,

Nope. It seemed pointless at best. Why bother me? I already had a church. I wasn't going to join yours mr. evangelist. I also wasn't going to go out and harangue my friends and neighbors to join our church. Their religion was a private matter as was mine.

and there is no reason to believe that evangelization must be insincere or involve objectification.

I can believe it isn't always insincere.

Many would take it as a compliment that someone cares enough about them to broach a subject they deem serious. That someone cares enough about you and the faith to take it all seriously.

But, that's a really creepy, objectifying way to interact with people. It is seriously condescending to tell people you are concerned about their "souls".

That was all when I did believe. Now that I don't believe any of that stuff a quick "Souls ain't real man" works just fine.