Modern evangelism has ignored the book of Acts

[evangelist6589]

Any aggressive form of evangelism will get you rejected, cussed out, chewed out. It has happened to me many times. As near as I can tell, there is nothing in the WOTM approach that is more objectionable than other approaches. As someone pointed out, there is a reproach to the Gospel itself. However, if you're going to be persecuted, make sure it is for the Gospel and not for a cultural misstep. As my father used to say, "I'd rather be persecuted for my position than my disposition."

My particular point was about 1 Cor. 9, which definitely says you must adapt your approach (not the Gospel, which is eternal truth) depending on culture. "The Jews" and "the Greeks" are very different cultures. Just look how Paul witnessed on Mars Hill in Acts 17: a very different approach from how he witnessed to the Jews. In missiology we call this contextualization. I really believe that if you will meditate on 1 Cor. 9:19-23 and Acts 17:18-34 it will help you greatly in witnessing to immigrants like your Mongolian friend.

Hogwash. People read that passage and interpret it to say that they must get Tatoo's, play movies in church, become surfers, skate boarders and do all they can to win the lost. Hogwash.. Such a approach DENIES THE SUFFICIENCY of the Bible!!!! (Psa 19).

Paul meant was that in third world countries we are to do all we can not to offend regarding culture customs. This woman is in America (my country) and I am not in Mongolia.

 

[evangelist6589]

Any aggressive form of evangelism will get you rejected, cussed out, chewed out. It has happened to me many times. As near as I can tell, there is nothing in the WOTM approach that is more objectionable than other approaches. As someone pointed out, there is a reproach to the Gospel itself. However, if you're going to be persecuted, make sure it is for the Gospel and not for a cultural misstep. As my father used to say, "I'd rather be persecuted for my position than my disposition."

My particular point was about 1 Cor. 9, which definitely says you must adapt your approach (not the Gospel, which is eternal truth) depending on culture. "The Jews" and "the Greeks" are very different cultures. Just look how Paul witnessed on Mars Hill in Acts 17: a very different approach from how he witnessed to the Jews. In missiology we call this contextualization. I really believe that if you will meditate on 1 Cor. 9:19-23 and Acts 17:18-34 it will help you greatly in witnessing to immigrants like your Mongolian friend.

But in a way you may be correct. I do not witness to my family members the same as I witness on the streets. Okay your point is taken. But on the streets The Way of the Master is the best way to do Biblical Evangelism!

 

[John of Japan]

Hogwash. People read that passage and interpret it to say that they must get Tatoo's, play movies in church, become surfers, skate boarders and do all they can to win the lost. Hogwash.. Such a approach DENIES THE SUFFICIENCY of the Bible!!!! (Psa 19).

Excuse me? Have I said any of these things? No I haven't. Have I meant any of these things? No, I haven't. I am not one of those "people" you are talking about. I am a veteran missionary, and I have been talking about how an Asian person thinks, which is according to their social mores--Confucianism in most of Asia.

A humble response from you would have been to ask me what I believed contextualization was and how it should operate. After all, I've been doing it and thinking about it for 32 years in Japan. And God has saved many Japanese in those years.

So, are you really interested in this woman's salvation, or would you rather justify yourself and feel persecuted?

Paul meant was that in third world countries...

Athens, Greece was not a third world country, and that is where Acts 17 took place. It was the cultural center of all the Roman Empire. So your point is fallacious.

...we are to do all we can not to offend regarding culture customs.

So are you saying that we should not offend those in third world countries, but we can offend those from first world countries all we want to? And by the way, Mongolia is pretty much a third world country.

This woman is in America (my country) and I am not in Mongolia.

This is an arrogant statement. With this you are saying to her, "You are in my country, so it doesn't matter what your culture is, I can ignore it and offend you all I want when I give you the Gospel."

 

[Mexdeaf]

But in a way you may be correct. I do not witness to my family members the same as I witness on the streets. Okay your point is taken. But on the streets The Way of the Master is the best way to do Biblical Evangelism!

The best way to do evangelism on the streets depends upon who is on the streets and where the streets are.

 

[annsni]

I know numerous people who street evangelism wouldn't have reached. For some it is antagonistic.

 

[evangelist6589]

The best way to do evangelism on the streets depends upon who is on the streets and where the streets are.

I am no Arminian and hold to a more Reformed view on evangelism. Perhaps this is a the key difference between me and some here. God brings the converts and he first expects us to "preach the word, Mk 16:15").