Confrontational Evangelism

grampster · Jan 23, 2020

You catch more bees with honey. The definition of the word gospel = good news. Too many preach the fire, brimstone, fear, punishment etc. That pushes people away. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is Good News. Why would you try and convince someone to choose to know more about God using threats? The real message God offers us is the joy and peace of being with Him. The fire and brimstone and punishment is a human choice. We choose it by denying to receive from Him the free gift of redemption. God approaches us with open arms. The bleakness of separation from Him only comes if we fail to accept His forgiveness and love. So preach the joy and peace of fellowship with God. By this I do not mean the false prosperity gospel that is being preached today about being healthy, wealthy and wise in this life. The proof of this false gospel is that God Himself said that He disciplines or chastises those He loves. Heb 12:6 and Prov 3:12.

yeshuaslavejeff · Jan 23, 2020

grampster said:
You catch more bees with honey. The definition of the word gospel = good news. Too many preach the fire, brimstone, fear, punishment etc. That pushes people away.

Somewhere in Scripture it is written that on some or with some sacrifices, NO HONEY is permitted.

There is sure to be a good reason for this.

Jesus and the Apostles, led by and taught by Jesus and by the Father in Heaven,
brought people to the Father IN REPENTANCE for their sins, their lives,
for their CRUCIFYING JESUS -
not as if > "Here here now, we have a wonderful heaven to offer you " ..... no.

Toro · Jan 23, 2020

It shouldn't be about confrontationalism or not, but the reason for which one does so.

IF one is speaking truth 100% but are doing so from a position of pride rather than by being led by the Spirit then they are no different than a Pharisee.

The Pharisees knew the law and spoke truths, but so to did Satan when he tempted Christ in the wilderness.

IF one is going bold against a group of differing opinion, but is doing so in love, a love of truth and lee by the Holy Spirit, and not from a position of boastful pride in themselves, then they are doing so in obedience.

IF the Spirit guides your words and your actions, than those that have eyes to see and ears to hear will do so.

IF lead by your own pride, there is no power nor authority in the words spoken even if 100% truth, because it is spoken in pride, not by the One that gives power and authority to those words.

The world WILL hate you if the one they hated first is in you, but if you speak from a position of boastful pride, the world will hate you cause you sit on a high horse.

DNB · Jan 23, 2020

DamianWarS said:
I call it unsolicited evangelism and I think it is poor practice. We should earn the right to share the gospel so directly, however, with that said we can communicate a lot without forcing it. Jesus tells us to not just love our Neighbour but to love them as ourselves. I don't know about you but typically something unsolicited is unwanted so why do we think this is worthy of a platform for the gospel? If I don't want it then I'm not loving someone as myself when I use it one others. Work for the invitation and it will be warmly received rather than estranging ourselves from our own mission.

I see, you'd rather be politically or socially correct, than save them from hell?
Not every body wants to take medicine, does that mean that no one should tell them that they need to?
Ezekial was told by God that he'd better warn Israel of their sins and the repercussions, whether they wanted to hear it or not, or that he will be held accountable for not doing his duty.
Warning people is incumbent upon us all, ...that's called love.

Chris V++ · Jan 23, 2020

Has anyone here actually believed because someone argued them into it? The last Christian that made the effort to convert me really just explained why he believed what he believed. I was so adamant to believe anything else, but at one point the Spirit took over to convict me. Another Christian told me that no one ever converted based on learning about God's judgement. It's more the mercy that convicts.

DNB · Jan 23, 2020

Pavel Mosko said:
YES!

It's kind of a tough issue because their are lots of potential exceptions to the rule etc. but I really do believe this for the most part.

It's funny for the people who don't like some of my friends comments and cite saint Paul and Jesus when they largely operated according to what my friend laid out in his posts. (The "in your face" image of PAul is purely based on the epistles, which were written to believers, inter-personally how Paul acted was much different than that for the most part by his own admission 1 Corinthians 2:3 , 2 Corinthians 10:10, and what we see for the most part in the book of Acts.

Well, I am assuming that confrontational does not imply aggressive, nor obnoxious, contemptuous or inappropriate? It simply means pro-active.
Thus, one would easily impose his opinion on a stranger, if he detected imminent danger for the person.
What's wrong with gratuitously imparting good news to someone that you've never met? Would God be displeased and say, 'how dare you bother the person while he's having dinner with his wife, don't you know that salvation can wait'?
Of course, and beyond measure, diplomacy, tact, awareness and congeniality are requisite, and knowing when you're kicking against the goads and when to leave. But outside of the obvious etiquette and respect requirements, one should be as opportunistic as possible, under any circumstance, to whomever.
It's never, ever worth not doing it!

Swan7 · Jan 23, 2020

Was Jesus Christ ever worried for spreading the Truth? Was He ever careful with how He said things to people? You see both sides of the coin when it comes to Him.

Lady Donna Marie · Jan 23, 2020

Lady Donna Marie · Jan 23, 2020

Aussie Pete · Jan 23, 2020

GaveMeJoy said:
I agree that we need to witness. Perhaps the OP is more talking about street ambushes outside the context of relationship.

Doesn’t seem like disagreeing with the fundamental call to witness

We do both. I saw a man sitting outside our school, which has ceiling to floor glass. He did not seem well. I went out and asked him if he was okay and if he'd like to come inside - it was hot. To cut it short, he accepted Christ. He'd just come out of hospital after treatment for mental issues. He had tears of joy and peace radiating from his face.
No, I don't believe in the "in your face" aggressive witnessing. But we go out once a week to spread the word in our city. If one person is born again as a result, I'm happy with that.
We are entering the age of the ignorance of Christianity. I've met people who've never heard of Adam and Eve. It's not taught in schools and people under thirty are staying away from churches. We need to cut through somehow.

Aussie Pete · Jan 23, 2020

Chris V++ said:
Has anyone here actually believed because someone argued them into it? The last Christian that made the effort to convert me really just explained why he believed what he believed. I was so adamant to believe anything else, but at one point the Spirit took over to convict me. Another Christian told me that no one ever converted based on learning about God's judgement. It's more the mercy that convicts.

That other Christian obviously does to know every other Christian. I got born again precisely because I feared God's judgement. I thought I was a good person (in spite of being a basket case) and that God would accept me as I was. When I realised that i was not going to make it, my heart sank and I asked the same question as millions of others - "What do I do???" Then I was told the good news.

95% of churchgoers are not born again. That's because they've been sold a false, easy believeism that gives them a false sense of security. Those people are deserting the churches and their children are even less impressed. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. It's not the end - God's love casts out fear - but it is the beginning.

Toro · Jan 23, 2020

Donna Fletcher said:
Proverbs 16:19
Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

Yes, humility is the deciding factor in how much the Father can use us.

There is no one right way, it is shown in the actions and words of Christ Himself.
One rich man He tells to sell off everything and give it all to the poor. Another rich man, He doesnt say He needs to do anything, He only says salvation has come to him.

The Father deals with each of us in a unique way. While one child may need a gentle hand, another may need firm discipline.

That is just one of the beautiful things about the God we serve, He is a perfect Father, when gentle is the best thing for us, He is VERY eager to meet us with love, mercy and comfort, but when the firm hand is best for us, though we will not like it at the time.... it is right and His correction is not to bring us to destruction, but to teach us, that which we are too stubborn to learn in comfort.

That is why, in matters such as these, confotational or in kindness, it ALL must be done by direction of the Holy Spirit so that our words will be correct, in tone and in purpose, so that the target for those words are reached.

There are times when force is needed to soften a hard heart, there are other times when a gentle touch is needed to put a broken heart back together. Only the Father knows which tool is best to use in any given situation and knows the state of the heart of those around us. IF He gives us confrontational words or words of gentle kindness, speaking them is out of obedience, not in pride and THAT is when things happen, people are reached, because HE gave purpose, power and authority to the tongue that spoke them.

Otherwise its just our words, our authority and Jesus said, without Him, we can do nothing.

WanderedHome · Jan 23, 2020

Pavel Mosko said:
A Facebook Friend posted a pithy little meme like statement that I think summarized most of my inner attitude on Evangelism etc. Sometimes getting at things we occasionally even see on this board.

Of course, being pithy it is probably a little over simplistic for the nit pickers etc. that love to find exceptions to the rule and so on. I would have phrased it less as an absolute, and more that it should be rare and maybe would cite Jonah to Nineveh as an example.

"I don’t know that confrontational evangelism is ever right (or biblical). Outside of circumstances where you are invited to speak, you should always wait for someone to ask you about the hope you have. But you should live and talk in a way that makes them ask. This is harder and, most often, takes time."

(Later he later did clarify his position.)

Dear friends who are out of their minds that I am against confrontational evangelism: look up the phrase first. It does not mean I am against the confrontation of error or, God forbid, against evangelism. I am just against sloppy, lazy tactics.

So what do think? (He has another clarification statement further down in the thread).

There is a famous quote attributed to the Catholic saint, Francis of Asisi, "Preach the Gospel at all times and if necessary use words." (Though, it has been discovered that he never said such a thing).

I don't like that quote because it presents this dichotomy between speaking and acting. I don't think we should simply focus on the doing and hope that someday someone will ask us. A lot of people may want to know, but are afraid to ask because religion is such a divisive issue. However, neither should we be confronting people- as if cornering them on the street or the check out line at Walmart. Our friends, family, co-workers, people we do business with regularly- the people who know us- should know about our faith at some point. Not because we've sat them down and had that conversation, but because they are involved in our lives, we are open, and our words are seasoned with grace and encouragement towards faith.

When I was an Evangelical, a lot of people got hung up on a method or getting a 'decision for Christ', myself included. There was this attitude like, "if you don't do the Ray Comfort thing, the Bill Bright thing, the Romans Road thing, etc, with every person you meet, you haven't properly witnessed to anyone." It was what I was taught to do, but I always felt uneasy about it. I just figured I lacked courage, lacked faith, or simply didn't love God. Sometimes I'd ask myself if I was really saved.

The book, How to Give Away Your Faith by Paul Little, really changed my perspective as an Evangelical. One of the things I learned was that I don't have to present a full presentation of the Gospel with everyone or defeat someone in a debate about faith vs. works to successfully be a witness. I only need to be faithful to live my faith in a way that points to Christ and be alert enough to recognize the little opportunities to pray for them or speak truth into their life. Let the encounters happen naturally, not awkwardly forced because I had some kind of overly-sensitive conscience about whether I love God enough. Honestly, that is just narcissism.

DamianWarS · Jan 23, 2020

DNB said:
I see, you'd rather be politically or socially correct, than save them from hell?
Not every body wants to take medicine, does that mean that no one should tell them that they need to?
Ezekial was told by God that he'd better warn Israel of their sins and the repercussions, whether they wanted to hear it or not, or that he will be held accountable for not doing his duty.
Warning people is incumbent upon us all, ...that's called love.

right... so when you're on a subway I assume you make sure everyone is well informed of the gospel because if you don't then I guess that means "you'd rather be politically or socially correct, than save them from hell" We all make judgment calls of when it's appropriate to share the gospel, some sit on subways preaching but their message is often not received well. Christ tells us to be as wise as serpents and gentle as doves... we should be careful not to confuse these.

GaveMeJoy · Jan 23, 2020

WanderedHome said:
There is a famous quote attributed to the Catholic saint, Francis of Asisi, "Preach the Gospel at all times and if necessary use words." (Though, it has been discovered that he never said such a thing).

I don't like that quote because it presents this dichotomy between speaking and acting. I don't think we should simply focus on the doing and hope that someday someone will ask us. A lot of people may want to know, but are afraid to ask because religion is such a divisive issue. However, neither should we be confronting people- as if cornering them on the street or the check out line at Walmart. Our friends, family, co-workers, people we do business with regularly- the people who know us- should know about our faith at some point. Not because we've sat them down and had that conversation, but because they are involved in our lives, we are open, and our words are seasoned with grace and encouragement towards faith.

When I was an Evangelical, a lot of people got hung up on a method or getting a 'decision for Christ', myself included. There was this attitude like, "if you don't do the Ray Comfort thing, the Bill Bright thing, the Romans Road thing, etc, with every person you meet, you haven't properly witnessed to anyone." It was what I was taught to do, but I always felt uneasy about it. I just figured I lacked courage, lacked faith, or simply didn't love God. Sometimes I'd ask myself if I was really saved.

The book, How to Give Away Your Faith by Paul Little, really changed my perspective as an Evangelical. One of the things I learned was that I don't have to present a full presentation of the Gospel with everyone or defeat someone in a debate about faith vs. works to successfully be a witness. I only need to be faithful to live my faith in a way that points to Christ and be alert enough to recognize the little opportunities to pray for them or speak truth into their life. Let the encounters happen naturally, not awkwardly forced because I had some kind of overly-sensitive conscience about whether I love God enough. Honestly, that is just narcissism.

You used to be an evangelical, what are you now?

I agree with what you are saying about gospel sharing cop outs.

to put it in perspective: if you walk by someone jwalking and see they are about to get hit by a car, would you just walk safely on the sidewalk and hope he sees you modeling safety principles so that some day he might ask you why you follow traffic laws? No! For goodness sakes you scream out “stop! You are about to die!” Nothing else matters at that point...what he thinks about you, if he is startled, if others around are perturbed about your shouting, if you are late to work...nothing matters except whether or not you communicate the truth to this person before they lose their life.

How much more important is someone’s soul and eternal destination than their physical life? Yet we all collectively waste precious time with loved ones, acquaintances and strangers talking about anything except the speeding car about to send them to hell.

that’s not to say we don’t share the gospel with the guidance and words of the Holy Spirit, and with peace and strategy. Those are vital to correctly communicate the message.

You wouldn’t yell out to the guy in the street your warning in French, because it would not be the effective way to communicate it.

we also shouldn’t yell out the gospel abrasively or out of context and without the Holy Spirit. But the Holy Spirit I believe in earnestly desires to reach the lost, so the default needs to be to share the gospel unless we feel led otherwise, not to “wait on God’s lead” before we try to help them not burn in hell.

Just my thoughts

DNB · Jan 23, 2020

DamianWarS said:
right... so when you're on a subway I assume you make sure everyone is well informed of the gospel because if you don't then I guess that means "you'd rather be politically or socially correct, than save them from hell" We all make judgment calls of when it's appropriate to share the gospel, some sit on subways preaching but their message is often not received well. Christ tells us to be as wise as serpents and gentle as doves... we should be careful not to confuse these.

Well, what are you advocating, that there's a time and place to take the initiative, i.e. to be the first to approach a stranger. Or, not to at all, and let them initiate the conversation and topic?
I agree with the former, ....but, of course, with the utmost diplomacy, tact and respect.
Maybe I mistook your position as that of not endorsing a pro-active approach?
It seems that some people are equating confrontational with aggressive and imposing, I didn't think that that was what the OP meant?
I mean it as not being passive or reactive, but forth coming and preemptive.

DamianWarS · Jan 23, 2020

DNB said:
Well, what are you advocating, that there's a time and place to take the initiative, i.e. to be the first to approach a stranger. Or, not to at all, and let them initiate the conversation and topic?
I agree with the former, ....but, of course, with the utmost diplomacy, tact and respect.
Maybe I mistook your position as that of not endorsing a pro-active approach?
It seems that some people are equating confrontational with aggressive and imposing, I didn't think that that was what the OP meant?
I mean it as not being passive or reactive, but forth coming and preemptive.

"with the utmost diplomacy, tact and respect" seems a bit of a loaded answer. I'd like to agree but given your previous "forth coming and preemptive" reaction I'm not confident we are on the same page

Pavel Mosko · Jan 23, 2020

Swan7 said:
Was Jesus Christ ever worried for spreading the Truth? Was He ever careful with how He said things to people? You see both sides of the coin when it comes to Him.

Jesus in the Gospels tailored his approach to people based on the person, and often reflected back at the person their own style, demeanor. (Psalm 18:26)

I've actually likened his approach to how people often approached sparing in a martial arts dojo back in my earlier days. We had people who hated it (mostly women) who wanted the least aggressive fight possible. So with those people you tended to throw as light a punch as possible (something that wouldn't hurt if it hit them other than mess up their hair etc.). You had some folks who were really serious and wanted a series fight, and you sort of had to fight for your life metaphorically speaking. So with those folks you tried to hit them as hard as you can to hopefully take them out or get them to back off. And most people like myself were in the middle. They wanted to test themselves and be in a moderate amount of danger, but didn't want an all out fight.

Anyway Jesus generally varied his approach according to who he was dealing with. He was very meek, and easy going with the shy, ashamed etc. But with the hard nose Pharisees after the first encounter or two he took off the kid gloves, and put them in their place. So if we are going to be like Jesus we should use confrontation unto those who confront others, or at least people in power as John the Baptist did with Herod.

Pavel Mosko · Jan 23, 2020

WanderedHome said:
There is a famous quote attributed to the Catholic saint, Francis of Asisi, "Preach the Gospel at all times and if necessary use words." (Though, it has been discovered that he never said such a thing).

I've actually always loved that quote. Strangely enough, I've seen Evangelicals nit pick it here, (taking it way too literally) but I think it is great at suggesting that many people are influenced more by actions than literal words, and even in studies of psychology, etc. their has been a lot of research that the context around communication is often much more important than the literal words used (like 75% of a messages effectiveness came from the context rather than the literal words).

jimmyjimmy · Jan 23, 2020

DamianWarS said:
We are all called to spread the gospel, you are free to use different words but this call is upon us all.

How did you arrive at that conclusion?

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