how to communicate big ideas in a simple way

[erin74]

One of the things that I struggle with with the anglican diocese I have been in and am in is our apparant inability to reach those who are not highly educated (ie university or thereabouts - or heading that way). I have noticed the difficulty we have in sharing what are quite big ideas in a simple way, that makes our churches difficult for those who are not into reading for example.

There have certainly been steps taken more recently, and yet I feel we are still missing our mark somehow.

I have noticed here too, that even though I consider myself quite well educated, I have really struggled to understand a lot of what is going on.

So I wonder what others think. Have you thought through how to communicate TULIP to those who don't share a love of things that are intellectual. How have you seen this work or not work.

So for instance if someone asks for a simple explanation of TULIP are you equipped to do that in a way that doesn't leave them all befuddled?

I'm not trying to be snobbish or anything, but I know in the churches I've belonged to it is definitely a middle class, well educated congregation. This distresses me.

 

[mlqurgw]

One of the things that I struggle with with the anglican diocese I have been in and am in is our apparant inability to reach those who are not highly educated (ie university or thereabouts - or heading that way). I have noticed the difficulty we have in sharing what are quite big ideas in a simple way, that makes our churches difficult for those who are not into reading for example.

There have certainly been steps taken more recently, and yet I feel we are still missing our mark somehow.

I have noticed here too, that even though I consider myself quite well educated, I have really struggled to understand a lot of what is going on.

So I wonder what others think. Have you thought through how to communicate TULIP to those who don't share a love of things that are intellectual. How have you seen this work or not work.

So for instance if someone asks for a simple explanation of TULIP are you equipped to do that in a way that doesn't leave them all befuddled?

I'm not trying to be snobbish or anything, but I know in the churches I've belonged to it is definitely a middle class, well educated congregation. This distresses me.

As I am an uneducated simpleton I have no problem making things simple. I have found the best way is to simply show them Scripture. Also I take the example of Christ and seek good illustrations to show my points. An example would be recieving Christ. I use the illustration of a glass receiving water. Also when we partake of the Lord's Supper I use the illistration of it becoming part of us as we eat it. I find an appropiate illustration can reach even the very young.


Edit: I left the mispelled words to illustrate that I am truly an uneducated simpleton.

 

[erin74]

I think illustrations are a great idea.

Have you found a way to teach TULIP by use of illustration.

I am really not trying to be divisive or nasty about those who do not love intellectualism by the way.

I guess my biggest fear is that by not communicating clearly others are left with poor theology, and the dangers inherent in it.

 

[mlqurgw]

I think illustrations are a great idea.

Have you found a way to teach TULIP by use of illustration.

I am really not trying to be divisive or nasty about those who do not love intellectualism by the way.

I guess my biggest fear is that by not communicating clearly others are left with poor theology, and the dangers inherent in it.

T: I use the illustration of a child not needing to be taught how to do wrong but must be taught what is right.

U: I use the illustration of me giving a million dollars away. It is mine to give to whom I choose and to withold it from whom I choose. None have earned it and have no right to it because I choose to give it to somebody.

L: I use the illustration of the lamb slain on the Day of Atonement in the OT. It wasn't for anyone but God's chosen people.

I: I use the illustration of a man in a pit. When help comes he doesn't reject it.

P: This one I will have to think on as I don't believe I have ever tried to illustrate it.

I am sure others can give much better illustrations and I often have to adapt them to the situation but I am sure you can use your powers of observation to gain many illustrations. Spurgeon was a master at it. Christ Jesus was even better.

 

[inchristalone221]

Another recommendation for an illustration of irresistable grace would be the idea of a man who's so wounded he cannot stand up. A man comes along to help him, and he not only opens the door to a hospital, but he carries the man into the hospital.

 

[mlqurgw]

Another recommendation for an illustration of irresistable grace would be the idea of a man who's so wounded he cannot stand up. A man comes along to help him, and he not only opens the door to a hospital, but he carries the man into the hospital.

Good but a sinner isn't sent or taken to the hospital for a cure for his sin but to the cross to be put to death. Nitpicking? Maybe.

 

[inchristalone221]

Nitpicking? Maybe.

Quite =P

 

[heymikey80]

I think illustrations are a great idea.

Me too. Words don't mean anything until the rubber hits the road. Illustrations are critical to applying this stuff & making sense of it.

It is so alien to the way we think six days a week, we really need application handles and word-pictures that vividly bring this stuff to mind.

And may I suggest something rather radical?

Include in your own studies sermons from people who aren't Calvinists. Many of these guys have great applications and illustrations. If you read critically you can surgically cut out the improper ideas and use the vivid applications. I know many preachers in the US I read this way.

There are also reasonably Reformed thinkers as well who have good illustrations: Spurgeon, many of the Puritans of the 1600's. Sometimes you hafta read 'em intentionally to extract such things. But they're critical.

People often know their Hobbitses better than their 1 Thessalonians. That's the reward of vivid and warm imagery. But if you read 1 Thessalonians ... you'll find vivid imagery there, too. Don't cake it over with systematics; let the imagery shine through. Embellish it like a good ol' fashioned story. And cut it loose on the people.

(And if you think no one should be embellishing the stories, Noah's neighbors have been a fine example of embellishment for years.)

 

[BlackSaab52]

I haven't actually read this book, but it's called Calvinism in the Las Vegas Airport: Making Connections in Today's World by Richard J. Mouw. It's supposed to explain TULIP in a way that almost anyone could understand. Here's a link:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0310231973/ref=wl_it_dp/002-5449320-6448039?%5Fencoding=UTF8&colid=23Y9SH1E46M7N&coliid=I38L5N1Q6I6DLT&v=glance&n=283155

 

[edie19]

2 things come to mind - no solutions, just thoughts.

While he is not reformed - one of my favorite Christian authors for general reading is Max Lucado. The reason I enjoy him is he makes great visual pictures. He has a gift with words that allows him to present a point of theology very simply, very clearly - I can "see" what he's trying to get across.

I hate to say it, but this is where the seeker sensitive churches have an advantage. One of their attractions is the simplicity of the message. While I think of it as "Gospel lite" or "Gospel for Dummies" I can certainly see where people find it more clear. My daughter (who was raised in reformed churches) is currently attending a seeker sensitive church (many of her college friends attend the same church). She has told me several times that she understands what the pastor there are saying better than she understands those at Providence. While I find the men who speak at my church very understandable, much of it goes over her head. She's a bright girl and I don't think it is the case solely with her. I'm not blaming my pastors, nor am I asking them to change. Sadly, I think I didn't do a good enough job making Scripture and doctrine plainer for her. (I do believe, however, that someday she'll return. She has told me that whenever she marries she'll have Pastor David perform the ceremony - that she wouldn't ask anyone else. She's also said that she wouldn't marry at her current church. Also, when referring to Providence she often refers to it as her church. Go figure.)

 

[mlqurgw]

2 things come to mind - no solutions, just thoughts.

While he is not reformed - one of my favorite Christian authors for general reading is Max Lucado. The reason I enjoy him is he makes great visual pictures. He has a gift with words that allows him to present a point of theology very simply, very clearly - I can "see" what he's trying to get across.

I hate to say it, but this is where the seeker sensitive churches have an advantage. One of their attractions is the simplicity of the message. While I think of it as "Gospel lite" or "Gospel for Dummies" I can certainly see where people find it more clear. My daughter (who was raised in reformed churches) is currently attending a seeker sensitive church (many of her college friends attend the same church). She has told me several times that she understands what the pastor there are saying better than she understands those at Providence. While I find the men who speak at my church very understandable, much of it goes over her head. She's a bright girl and I don't think it is the case solely with her. I'm not blaming my pastors, nor am I asking them to change. Sadly, I think I didn't do a good enough job making Scripture and doctrine plainer for her. (I do believe, however, that someday she'll return. She has told me that whenever she marries she'll have Pastor David perform the ceremony - that she wouldn't ask anyone else. She's also said that she wouldn't marry at her current church. Also, when referring to Providence she often refers to it as her church. Go figure.)

I have had the same experience with one of my daughters. When she was in college she was an outcast because she so strongly defended the doctrines of grace and was used of God to bring several young men there to the truth. Then she met one who stole her heart but was an Arminian. She started attending a Vinyard church with him and now they are married and attend a Vinyard. She has all but denied the truth of the doctrines of grace. She still says she belives them but she likes the appeal that contemporary worship has. She has also made comments about how unloving Calvinists seem to be. It breaks my heart but she is in the Lord's hands.

 

[JJB]

The concern for your church is a very valid one. Churches can look, at times, more like country clubs.

If a person is not a Christian, is TULIP necessary to explain? Jesus needs to be the focus. If a non-Christian asks about it, are they really seeking understanding or looking for a disagreement? It's ok to ask them questions, too. Give them homework assignments.

If they are a believer, and are curious about TULIP, that's another question. Explain it one letter at a time. If you see that "aha!" look in their eyes continue on. When they look puzzled, tell them to mull it over for awhile and come back with questions. Being succinct, not delving into intricacies, may help.

Because someone is uneducated, does not mean they cannot understand theological ideas. After all, their interest belies that. Just as in presenting the gospel message, God opens eyes and ears, so, too, with other biblical ideas God gives the enlightenment.

Like mlqurgw, I consider myself a simpleton.

 

[heymikey80]

I have had the same experience with one of my daughters. When she was in college she was an outcast because she so strongly defended the doctrines of grace and was used of God to bring several young men there to the truth. Then she met one who stole her heart but was an Arminian. She started attending a Vinyard church with him and now they are married and attend a Vinyard. She has all but denied the truth of the doctrines of grace. She still says she belives them but she likes the appeal that contemporary worship has. She has also made comments about how unloving Calvinists seem to be. It breaks my heart but she is in the Lord's hands.

Interesting. I'd invite her to my church. We're seeker-sensitive, contemporary, Calvinistic. Evangelical Presbyterian Church ( epc.org ).

Calvinists may seem unloving, but that's just because we're not focused on "spiritual creaminess" (as the great Pet Detective theologian would say). There's more than milk; things are harder than they seem; people grow deeply in true spiritual faith, or they wither and die.

God's got adversity prepared in everyone's life to grow them spiritually. I guess at that point she'll find whether she's grown or not.

 

[inchristalone221]

When she was in college she was an outcast because she so strongly defended the doctrines of grace and was used of God to bring several young men there to the truth. Then she met one who stole her heart but was an Arminian.

I have a similar situation to the one your daughter has. I've fallen in love with the most godly Christian I've ever met, but she happens to be an arminian. We haven't had a chance to talk about it yet, but she says shes more than willing to hear me out because she respects the amount of study I've put into it. Kind of off topic but if any of you have time you could pray for that for me.