Gospel reductionism

[evangelist6589]

In the book Gospel Assurance and Warnings Washer speaks about gospel reductionism and says in a statement that millions sit in church pews unconverted because they answered the wrong questions. So out of curiosity how do you witness? Do you approach a man and ask him if he wants to go to heaven? And then he says yes and you then lead him in a prayer? Curious how you witness.

Imagine we are all in a seminary class discussing this book.

 

[JonC]

I listen and try stay focused on the gospel.

I can't really say there is a method or specific questions I would ask. Each person is different and I have been amazed at the work of the Spirit in guiding the conversation. God has brought to my mind passages I would have never considered in advance and through conversation has opened the eyes in ways that are truly beyond anything I could have done.

I believe preparation is less method and more Scripture. To be effective we have to study the Bible, abide in God's will (obedience in Christ), and walk humbly in faith. God brings to mind what to say as we truly engage the world with the gospel.

 

[Revmitchell]

Yea Washer likes to deem everyone lost. Maybe he should spend more time preaching the gospel.

 

[evangelist6589]

Yea Washer likes to deem everyone lost. Maybe he should spend more time preaching the gospel.

That's what the first book in the series is all about the gospel! But I am reading book 3.

 

[Yeshua1]

In the book Gospel Assurance and Warnings Washer speaks about gospel reductionism and says in a statement that millions sit in church pews unconverted because they answered the wrong questions. So out of curiosity how do you witness? Do you approach a man and ask him if he wants to go to heaven? And then he says yes and you then lead him in a prayer? Curious how you witness.

Imagine we are all in a seminary class discussing this book.

what did the jailer ask paul, and how did he answer him?

 

[Yeshua1]

I listen and try stay focused on the gospel.

I can't really say there is a method or specific questions I would ask. Each person is different and I have been amazed at the work of the Spirit in guiding the conversation. God has brought to my mind passages I would have never considered in advance and through conversation has opened the eyes in ways that are truly beyond anything I could have done.

I believe preparation is less method and more Scripture. To be effective we have to study the Bible, abide in God's will (obedience in Christ), and walk humbly in faith. God brings to mind what to say as we truly engage the world with the gospel.

Like what J Vernon Mgee stated, that any conversion requires the person of God to be there, the scriptures, and the Holy spirit, and that he practiced prayer witnessing, always praying for God to grant the opening to speak forth the message to someone else.

 

[JonC]

Like what J Vernon Mgee stated, that any conversion requires the person of God to be there, the scriptures, and the Holy spirit, and that he practiced prayer witnessing, always praying for God to grant the opening to speak forth the message to someone else.

Yes.

I've found the best preparation is prayer, writing God's Word in one's heart, and humbling oneself before God. If this is done then evangelism will happen - no need to worry about WOTM or EE (although these can be useful tools to get someone off the sofa and in the field).

If you are humble before God, being a disciple rather than trying to be the leader, then just go out and talk to people. Listen to them and tell them the gospel of Christ. It is not as hard as some people make it out to be. You don't need Ray Comfort or Paul Washer or John Piper. All you need is the gospel and a heart that can submit to the will of God.

 

[Reynolds]

In the book Gospel Assurance and Warnings Washer speaks about gospel reductionism and says in a statement that millions sit in church pews unconverted because they answered the wrong questions. So out of curiosity how do you witness? Do you approach a man and ask him if he wants to go to heaven? And then he says yes and you then lead him in a prayer? Curious how you witness.

Imagine we are all in a seminary class discussing this book.

Like we keep telling you, its a process. Initial encounter then follow up discipleship.

 

[Baptist Believer]

Do you approach a man and ask him if he wants to go to heaven?

Of course not. You won't find anyone in the scriptures asking people if they want to "go to heaven."

The gospel is a call to a new kind of life that is eternal in nature. It is about reconnecting with God and His plan of redeeming all of creation and all of His creatures who are willing to be redeemed.

The gospel is about the Kingdom of God.

 

[Yeshua1]

Yes.

I've found the best preparation is prayer, writing God's Word in one's heart, and humbling oneself before God. If this is done then evangelism will happen - no need to worry about WOTM or EE (although these can be useful tools to get someone off the sofa and in the field).

If you are humble before God, being a disciple rather than trying to be the leader, then just go out and talk to people. Listen to them and tell them the gospel of Christ. It is not as hard as some people make it out to be. You don't need Ray Comfort or Paul Washer or John Piper. All you need is the gospel and a heart that can submit to the will of God.

Amazing that Spurgeon and others could be used by God with "just" the Bible, and not all of our seminars. soul winning books, etc!

 

[JonC]

Amazing that Spurgeon and others could be used by God with "just" the Bible, and not all of our seminars. soul winning books, etc!

I agree. I'm not sure when the Bible stopped being sufficient.

 

[blessedwife318]

I agree. I'm not sure when the Bible stopped being sufficient.

That is a good question. It's clear that many people hold to the sufficiency of Scripture in word only but actions show that they really don't think it's enough. I have seen this in "churches" where the leader never once opens the Bible during his speech, to those that insist that to truly understand some Biblical truth you must read the latest book.

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[Martin Marprelate]

In the book Gospel Assurance and Warnings Washer speaks about gospel reductionism and says in a statement that millions sit in church pews unconverted because they answered the wrong questions. So out of curiosity how do you witness? Do you approach a man and ask him if he wants to go to heaven? And then he says yes and you then lead him in a prayer? Curious how you witness.

Imagine we are all in a seminary class discussing this book.

My church is doing regular door-to-door work around the town. If we find someone who professes belief in God, I/we tend to ask them, "If you were to die today, how confident are you in going to heaven?" Even regular church-goers tend to say, "I hope I'm good enough" or "I hope I've done enough." This opens the door for me/us to present the Gospel.

 

[evangelist6589]

My church is doing regular door-to-door work around the town. If we find someone who professes belief in God, I/we tend to ask them, "If you were to die today, how confident are you in going to heaven?" Even regular church-goers tend to say, "I hope I'm good enough" or "I hope I've done enough." This opens the door for me/us to present the Gospel.

Very good.

 

[evangelist6589]

Of course not. You won't find anyone in the scriptures asking people if they want to "go to heaven."

The gospel is a call to a new kind of life that is eternal in nature. It is about reconnecting with God and His plan of redeeming all of creation and all of His creatures who are willing to be redeemed.

The gospel is about the Kingdom of God.

Actually looking at the chapter again it was three questions.

1. Are you a sinner?
2. Do you want to go to heaven?
3. Do you want to ask Jesus into your heart?

These are the types of questions and the evangelism style that dominates many churches. In fact 10 to one I bet those that get lots of results are doing it this way. While there may be a few legit converts when evangelism is done this way, I bet most are still lost. Washer writes that many will speak out against sin but do not have a true hatred for it. The south may be filled with these type as many are so indoctrinated in the gospel there and know all the right answers but have never truly turned from sin. So in other words a false convert will know all the right answers, he will attend church, but his life is no different from that of the world and the way he was before.

 

[InTheLight]

Actually looking at the chapter again it was three questions.

1. Are you a sinner?
2. Do you want to go to heaven?
3. Do you want to ask Jesus into your heart?

These are the types of questions and the evangelism style that dominates many churches. In fact 10 to one I bet those that get lots of results are doing it this way. While there may be a few legit converts when evangelism is done this way, I bet most are still lost.

I'm not saying this method is the best way to do it, but these people are planting the seed and if the hearers are of the Elect then God will save them. Correct?

Sent from my Motorola Droid Turbo.

 

[Lukasaurus]

Very good.

Posts like this are odd. It's like you have ordained yourself as arbiter of what is right and wrong, and sit there approving the outreach ministries of other churches.

 

[JonC]

Posts like this are odd. It's like you have ordained yourself as arbiter of what is right and wrong, and sit there approving the outreach ministries of other churches.

Very good, Lukasaurus. Very good.

 

[Don]

Actually looking at the chapter again it was three questions.

1. Are you a sinner?
2. Do you want to go to heaven?
3. Do you want to ask Jesus into your heart?

These are the types of questions and the evangelism style that dominates many churches. In fact 10 to one I bet those that get lots of results are doing it this way. While there may be a few legit converts when evangelism is done this way, I bet most are still lost. Washer writes that many will speak out against sin but do not have a true hatred for it. The south may be filled with these type as many are so indoctrinated in the gospel there and know all the right answers but have never truly turned from sin. So in other words a false convert will know all the right answers, he will attend church, but his life is no different from that of the world and the way he was before.

As has been mentioned before: two men went up a hill to pray....

Which one are you?

 

[SovereignGrace]

That is a good question. It's clear that many people hold to the sufficiency of Scripture in word only but actions show that they really don't think it's enough. I have seen this in "churches" where the leader never once opens the Bible during his speech, to those that insist that to truly understand some Biblical truth you must read the latest book.

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