Is Preaching the Bible enough in our culture?

[evangelist6589]

RC Sproul has made statements that hinted in the area of evidential apologetics. Likewise Ray Comfort has launched a new series called Evolution vs. God. One has to wonder if preaching the Bible is enough in a post-Christian secular culture. Is it? Do we need to use evidential apologetics to also witness to others? Maybe its me but watching the Comfort videos it would appear he is using the Norm Geisler Conversational Evangelism approach in his witnessing. This is very new and something he did not teach on the WOTM series, nor the books by him that I have read.

Perhaps I may be incorrect and it would be wise to sometimes do more than just preach the Bible in a Post-Christian culture to people whom lack a Biblical worldview. So I welcome diverse opinions and persuasive arguments. There are those that say I only want to surround myself with those that agree with me, but this is a false assumption.

If I am incorrect what tracts should I use? I do have some material by Arminian evangelist Mark Cahill, Josh McDowell, and others. Perhaps a better approach in our culture.

 

[annsni]

In my opinion, the question is what is our authority? Is it science - thus we use science to prove God. Is it intellectualism - then we use rational thought. Or is it theology and thus we use the Scriptures? I don't believe that we will "prove" the Gospel to anyone by anything but Scripture. We present it and the Spirit takes it from there.

 

[evangelist6589]

In my opinion, the question is what is our authority? Is it science - thus we use science to prove God. Is it intellectualism - then we use rational thought. Or is it theology and thus we use the Scriptures? I don't believe that we will "prove" the Gospel to anyone by anything but Scripture. We present it and the Spirit takes it from there.

Sometimes we may need to make good arguments in science, but if thats all we do then that is our authority and not scripture.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

May I ask you a very simple question?

Why do you preach?

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

Perhaps I may be incorrect and it would be wise to sometimes do more than just preach the Bible in a Post-Christian culture to people whom lack a Biblical worldview.

In my opinion, the question is what is our authority? Is it science - thus we use science to prove God. Is it intellectualism - then we use rational thought. Or is it theology and thus we use the Scriptures? I don't believe that we will "prove" the Gospel to anyone by anything but Scripture. We present it and the Spirit takes it from there.

I have to disagree, Ann. Didn't Paul preach without Scriptural reference to the philosophers and scholars gathered in the Areopagus?

Acts 17, NASB
22(b) "Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects.
23 "For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, 'TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.' Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you.
24 "The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands;
25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things;
26 and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation,
27 that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;
28 for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we also are His children.'​

He in fact convinced a great many of these learned men by citing references from their own culture and religion. Those without biblical knowledge or reference cannot be convinced by what they consider "fairy tales." Once you have presented evidentiary apologetics to them, raising questions that secular teaching cannot answer, you can then introduce Scripture, but you cannot start there with most of those we evangelize.

 

[evangelist6589]

I have to disagree, Ann. Didn't Paul preach without Scriptural reference to the philosophers and scholars gathered in the Areopagus?

Acts 17, NASB
22(b) "Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects.
23 "For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, 'TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.' Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you.
24 "The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands;
25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things;
26 and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation,
27 that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;
28 for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we also are His children.'​

He in fact convinced a great many of these learned men by citing references from their own culture and religion. Those without biblical knowledge or reference cannot be convinced by what they consider "fairy tales." Once you have presented evidentiary apologetics to them, raising questions that secular teaching cannot answer, you can then introduce Scripture, but you cannot start there with most of those we evangelize.

Indeed so, indeed so. There are perspectives to both approaches. I have ordered some evidentialist type booklets to give to people. Unlike WOTM Million Dollar Bills, these booklets have lots of evidences and can make someone think.... I think it may be wise to use a different form of evangelism on different people. Since my family have already received the WOTM tracts a million times by me, it may be wise to give them different books in a couple weeks when I see them.

 

[Herald]

Paul used a cultural symbol to set the stage for the preaching of the Gospel. There is nothing wrong with that, so long as the Gospel is preached. When the symbol takes precedence over the Gospel, then a door is opened wide to all sorts of problems and errors.

Anecdotes do not save.

 

[Dr. Bob]

Preach the Word. No question. It alone is the power of God.

But illustration, logic, metaphor, etc was an integral part of Jesus' preaching on earth. It should still be part of ours.

Neh 8:8 "They read from the book - from God's Torah
clearly,
giving the meaning/interpretation,
assuring that the people understood what they were reading."

 

[evangelist6589]

Preach the Word. No question. It alone is the power of God.

But illustration, logic, metaphor, etc was an integral part of Jesus' preaching on earth. It should still be part of ours.

Neh 8:8 "They read from the book - from God's Torah
clearly,
giving the meaning/interpretation,
assuring that the people understood what they were reading."

What do you say of those that host conferences and do nothing but give their testimony, and do not use the law to convict? Perhaps God can use them and he has used them. But often these types will boast about the "results" and frown upon street evangelism because of the lack of that.

 

[InTheLight]

I'm pretty sure this is sufficient:

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

If you get into apologetics you are sidetracking the gospel message and giving the hearer an opportunity to ask questions as diversions.

 

[Tom Bryant]

Preach the Word. No question. It alone is the power of God.

But illustration, logic, metaphor, etc was an integral part of Jesus' preaching on earth. It should still be part of ours.

Neh 8:8 "They read from the book - from God's Torah
clearly,
giving the meaning/interpretation,
assuring that the people understood what they were reading."

Very good answer. Thank you!

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Q. Is Preaching the Bible enough in our culture?

A. No......we have to live it as well.

 

[evangelist6589]

Q. Is Preaching the Bible enough in our culture?

A. No......we have to live it as well.

Only half true. Plenty of people we pass a tract or give them the gospel we will never meet again. Saying we must demonstrate a Godly life to people we will never see again is absurd. However on the other token our testimony must be pure and those that know us such as family members will not believe us if we live in sin. So your answer was only half right.

 

[Mexdeaf]

Preach the Word. No question. It alone is the power of God.

But illustration, logic, metaphor, etc was an integral part of Jesus' preaching on earth. It should still be part of ours.

Neh 8:8 "They read from the book - from God's Torah
clearly,
giving the meaning/interpretation,
assuring that the people understood what they were reading."

...not to mention living it out.

Amen and amen!

(Edit: I see EWF "filled in the blank" on that already.)

 

[Iconoclast]

In my opinion, the question is what is our authority? Is it science - thus we use science to prove God. Is it intellectualism - then we use rational thought. Or is it theology and thus we use the Scriptures? I don't believe that we will "prove" the Gospel to anyone by anything but Scripture. We present it and the Spirit takes it from there.

Good post Ann,
I agree that scripture is primary and sufficient for all men throughout time.I also agree with most of the other posts here.

Any appeal to acts 17...should start with these verses early on:

17 And having passed through Amphipolis, and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was the synagogue of the Jews,

2 and according to the custom of Paul, he went in unto them, and for three sabbaths he was reasoning with them from the Writings,

Pauls pattern was scripture based..he started with the writings, the scripture and "reasoned based on them"


3 opening and alleging,

Opening and alleging are legal terms ..he presented a scriptural case as a lawyer would... Once that is established...he would use things, from culture to show a contrast of worldviews..
`That the Christ it behoved to suffer, and to rise again out of the dead, and that this is the Christ -- Jesus whom I proclaim to you.'

 

[gb93433]

If teaching were enough for raising children then we could just hand them a stack of tapes and let them listen to them. Jesus taught to make disciples. That is much more than teaching and preaching. It seems to me that Jesus dealt with His disciples a lot when he was with them outside of preaching. Were they not on the roadway when His disciples were discussing who would be a Jesus' right hand? Seems like he taught them to pray and not just give a sermon on prayer.

 

[DocTrinsoGrace]

One has to wonder if preaching the Bible is enough in a post-Christian secular culture. Is it? D

Perhaps someone else has pointed this out already, if so forgive me for being redundant:

Faith comes by hearing the Word of Christ (Romans 10:14-17). As our Lord asserts, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them and they follow Me" (John 10:25-30). Paul further gives a wonderful discourse on evangelistic example in 1 Corinthians 2 -- all of it entirely pointing to salvation in Christ alone.

Although I am not gifted the way you are in presenting the Gospel in public -- though, for some reason, people keep asking me to do so at funerals -- nonetheless I take every opportunity to talk about my Lord. (I am deeply in love with Him, how could I not talk about Him?) He seems to lead me to prayerfully expose others to Him and His Word.

For people to be saved, they must feed upon Christ (John 6:53-58). Notice also that the Great Commission is rooted in Christ's authority (Matthew 28:18-20). We will encounter all manner of human disputes, didactics, doctrines, defections, and deviations; but the sheep -- the ones we are seeking -- will ultimately respond to His voice. I tremble that any might respond to my wit or wisdom -- what little I have.

Thank you for your willingness to go out there and preach the Gospel. I am proud of my Lord for what He is doing in your ministry. To that end, I continue to pray for your labor in Him.

 

[quantumfaith]

Indeed so, indeed so. There are perspectives to both approaches. I have ordered some evidentialist type booklets to give to people. Unlike WOTM Million Dollar Bills, these booklets have lots of evidences and can make someone think.... I think it may be wise to use a different form of evangelism on different people. Since my family have already received the WOTM tracts a million times by me, it may be wise to give them different books in a couple weeks when I see them.

I am sure that tracts (of any style) have "some" impact on "some" folks. Most I see that are distributed, stay right where they were place, ignored by most. IMO, the most effective means of sharing your joy (and practicing apologetics) is forming relationships and prayerfully considering openings and opportunities to discuss and steer conversations into the spiritual domain. Jesus himself demonstrated such as well as the concept of investing himself over time in the lives of others. I don't recall any examples where he left "tract" style copies of the Torah etc around.

 

[Mexdeaf]

I am sure that tracts (of any style) have "some" impact on "some" folks. Most I see that are distributed, stay right where they were place, ignored by most. IMO, the most effective means of sharing your joy (and practicing apologetics) is forming relationships and prayerfully considering openings and opportunities to discuss and steer conversations into the spiritual domain. Jesus himself demonstrated such as well as the concept of investing himself over time in the lives of others. I don't recall any examples where he left "tract" style copies of the Torah etc around.

:thumbsup::thumbs:

 

[saturneptune]

Anything that tells others about Jesus and the Good News is a great idea. It can be a tract, or a street preacher, or a pastor. It can even be the glow and joy on a Christians face that should be noticeable to others just in passing.

For those who want to put a little extra power in the witnessing, I am selling copies of "The Pearl of Great Price" for $20.