This is me pondering what on earth to write in my most specialist of posts, number 100. I could continue with an update on my job situation, or ramble on about the exciting things I do with my spare time, or post lots of pictures that I just took on a wonderful early morning ferry ride, but I think I'll take the time to start a discussion about something that's been on my mind for quite some time. I've been wanting to post about it for quite some time, but it seems there's something else that always gets posted first, and we all know that you can't post any two things too close together, or you won't receive proper commentage. Seeing as how I've aquired my quota of six on the last post, I decided it was time.
I've been thinking a lot (and talked to a few of you) about lifestyle evangelism. What the idea is, how it works and why it most often doesn't. I've spent most of my life assuming that the non-Christians I know will see a major difference in my life, and start asking me questions about why I have the joy I do, and why I am happy no matter the situation. The trouble is, that's not the way it works! That was my plan all along to win my co-workers to Christ, but they've all seen me on a bad day! And, the most troubling thing is, I've seen them on a bad day too, and sometimes they can be more gracious and giving than me! Well now, wait a minute! That can't be right! Everyone knows that there's a sharp distinction between Christians and Heathens, don't they? Whatever happened to "And they'll know we are Christians by our love?" What do you do with a moral, ethical person who gets a warm fuzzy feeling from doing good things? I ran into this with the whole "random acts of kindness" movement. People were finding joy in doing kind things for other people, and now our whole plan of lifestyle evangelism is shot. Doesn't this seem somehow wrong?
Another thing to add to this is the idea of Biblical Evangelism- In Sunday School we've been watching Ray Comfort videos on evangelism. His idea is to preach law to the proud and grace to the humble. Just showing non-Christians that life will be gravy if they'll convert is no way to win people to Christ, because as soon as troubles hit, they'll be completely disillusioned. He says that they need to know that they have a need for Christ before you can expect them to desire a relationship with Him. I guess this is the idea behind Lifestyle Evan. too. That they'll see that you have a fulfilling relationship and that they are empty, but it doesn't really address the issue of sin.
So now, I turn it to you, my faithful readers! (Whomever you may be!) I strongly encourage you to post your thought here- especially those of you who read these blogs and never make yourself known. (That's how I started out too- but I want to know your thoughts!)
Thus concludes my 100th post!
7 comments:
"Circumnavigate the intellect!"
I think LE is almost an easy out. I know it is for me (that and "my part of the body isn't evangelism, it's planting seeds").
Since we are to be in the world but not of it, that doesn't mean we watch the world change around us and keep on trying to reach people the same way we have for however many decades, but that we must be In the world, seeing it's changes, rolling with it and trying to get as far as we can for the Kingdom.
This comment thing is insufficient for what I want to say. I'm gonna post on my blog and you'll just have to go there to read it
I love what meg has to say on her blog about this subject. As i was reading hers i had a thought. but since i feel the need to ramble on about this i will also post on my blog and hope that you check it out.
Check The Bucket™ for another one :).
Erin, I can't get to your blog!
thanks guys! i'm glad this inspired some discussion- that was my plan. I've been thinking about it all for quite some time, and it's so good to get the input of others. maybe i was too hard on myself- just today one of the girls i work with started asking me if i read the Bible. i told her i did, and she asked if katie (my roommate) read it too. i told her that she did, and she looked impressed. it's interesting to be at a point where people know that we profess to be christians, and they are watching to see if we act like it. what a challenge! i think it was meg that nailed it though- it's not about being nice and loving and joyful, which is where we get so tripped up- it's about how we handle the small things- asking for forgiveness when we mess up (which most certainly will happen!) how we handle that cranky customer or rude co-worker. i think a lot of it is dignity, honesty and humility. thanks for challenging my thoughts! keep it coming!
Yes, meg had some really wise thoughts. thanks for starting the discussion. its funny, my dad independently touched on some of the same issues in his blog while he was talking about justification.
I hope your interview went well! love you
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