New Gospel Tract- The Atheist Test

[evangelist6589]

I have no problems with people using tracts. But sometimes I do have a problem with the way tracts are used. Just handing them out may result in a lot of trash – but if God uses that tract to reach just one person then it was worth the investment. I don’t think simply handing out tracts is evangelism or witnessing, but it can be a part of it (I never read tracts handed to me).

But there are some people who are ‘tract people.’ They rely far too much on tracts to supplement dialogue and relational evangelism (for an example of what I mean by relational evangelism, see the example of the woman at the well). There is a CoG down the road. They will follow those stupid tracts line by line as if I can’t read. And when they are done, they will say “see” and I will say “no, explain” and they will leave disappointed.

Like any of these methods, tracts can be used as a tool or they can get in the way. I personally shy away from tracts because they are less personal and they hint that the evangelist may not know what he is trying to explain to his target.

Okay try building a relationship or getting into a conversation with a thousand people in DT Denver. Everytime I go out I get into a conversation with at least one person, but many these days are very busy and running from one place to another. What better way to reach them than with tracts?

 

[evangelist6589]

Can you show me the verse where Jesus used tracts? I know He wrote in the sand but that's about all I've read about Jesus showing words....

Obviously the printing press did not exist in Jesus's day.

 

[JonC]

Okay try building a relationship or getting into a conversation with a thousand people in DT Denver. Everytime I go out I get into a conversation with at least one person, but many these days are very busy and running from one place to another. What better way to reach them than with tracts?

I told you that I don't have a problem with tracts. You also street preach and you talk to people that God sends your way. There is effectiveness and efficiency. These two do not necessarily mean the same thing. I told you before, I admire your heart for evangelism.

 

[JonC]

Obviously the printing press did not exist in Jesus's day.

Brother, I think her point was that you said we needed to follow Scripture in evangelism by doing so in person and with tracts. We are not instructed in Scripture to use tracts because as you have aptly observed the printing press did not exist in Jesus' day.

 

[Rippon]

Go chase a rabbit.

You are close to 40 years of age. Put away childish things.

We are almost in mid-Jan. If you had made any New Year's Resolutions one of them should have been:
No more reference to rabbit chasing to those who differ with me on the BB.

 

[Rob_BW]

But where in the Bible (Old or New Testament) did people just hand out some papers and walk away?

The closest thing to a tract I can think of is Jeremiah 36.

 

[annsni]

The closest thing to a tract I can think of is Jeremiah 36.

But note that what was written was read by a person - not just handed off and walking away.

 

[Rolfe]

Slightly off topic. Evidently, even having doubts about Calivnism is now enough to incur negative ratings. (Post 50)

*laughing eye roll*

 

[Martin Marprelate]

I am amazed at people's reaction to that tract.
I think it's a very good one. If it gets just a few people thinking it will have done a good job.
Thanks for bringing it to my attention, Evan. May God bless your efforts to bring the Gospel to Denver.

 

[Rolfe]

I am amazed at people's reaction to that tract.
I think it's a very good one. If it gets just a few people thinking it will have done a good job.

Unless I am missing something in the thread, I do not think that most see a problem with the tract itself (I think that it is one of the better that I have seen.) as much as the impersonal way it is distributed.

 

[evangelist6589]

I am amazed at people's reaction to that tract.
I think it's a very good one. If it gets just a few people thinking it will have done a good job.
Thanks for bringing it to my attention, Evan. May God bless your efforts to bring the Gospel to Denver.

Lots of skeptics in Denver and I need tools that will get them to think.

 

[evangelist6589]

You are close to 40 years of age. Put away childish things.

We are almost in mid-Jan. If you had made any New Year's Resolutions one of them should have been:
No more reference to rabbit chasing to those who differ with me on the BB.

Then stop acting like one for a change.

 

[Salty]

Okay try building a relationship or getting into a conversation with a thousand people in DT Denver. Everytime I go out I get into a conversation with at least one person, but many these days are very busy and running from one place to another. What better way to reach them than with tracts?

(bold my emphasis)

Answer) A thousand people building a relationship with one family.

 

[Martin Marprelate]

Answer) A thousand people building a relationship with one family.

Gosh! That one family's going to feel a bit overwhelmed! Laugh
Seriously, that's great! Let's all try to do that. But why does that mean that Evan and others shouldn't give out tracts, preach in the open air etc.? Let's all do what we can do and encourage one another as we do it.

 

[JonC]

But why does that mean that Evan and others shouldn't give out tracts, preach in the open air etc.? Let's all do what we can do and encourage one another as we do it.

It's been going on for years. John (Evan) is a street preacher. Sometimes his remarks are demeaning towards other methods as being unbiblical. Diologue typically collapses, rabbits are given and insults returned.

But you are right that we all should encourage one another. It is difficult at times, and quite often assumptions are made of other people (intent, understanding, background, etc.). But posts here much too often stray out of Christian boundaries (mine included). This is why I left, and why I think it may have been a mistake to come back.

Most argue with Evan's theology more than his work on the street. And a lot of this is carry over from previous experience. That doesn't make it right, but its true. But insofar as these tracts, we have no right to question Another's servant. Even when our best efforts are met with insult, we are not permitted to respond in kind. But that is much of what you see when people engage Evan.

 

[evangelist6589]

It's been going on for years. John (Evan) is a street preacher. Sometimes his remarks are demeaning towards other methods as being unbiblical. Diologue typically collapses, rabbits are given and insults returned.

But you are right that we all should encourage one another. It is difficult at times, and quite often assumptions are made of other people (intent, understanding, background, etc.). But posts here much too often stray out of Christian boundaries (mine included). This is why I left, and why I think it may have been a mistake to come back.

Most argue with Evan's theology more than his work on the street. And a lot of this is carry over from previous experience. That doesn't make it right, but its true. But insofar as these tracts, we have no right to question Another's servant. Even when our best efforts are met with insult, we are not permitted to respond in kind. But that is much of what you see when people engage Evan.

I often am attacked around here as also Matt Wade would testify.

 

[InTheLight]

Slightly off topic. Evidently, even having doubts about Calivnism is now enough to incur negative ratings. (Post 50)

*laughing eye roll*

Yup. And the two of them constantly "Like" each other's posts and drive up their ratings. A regular "amen click corner".

Kind of amazing that one of them has only 824 posts and a whopping 548 of them are "Liked". That's not suspicious at all. Can you say sock puppet?

Meanwhile, the majority of my dislikes are from these two and typically whenever I criticize Calvinism.

<wait for it...>

 

[Iconoclast]

Yup. And the two of them constantly "Like" each other's posts and drive up their ratings. A regular "amen click corner".

Kind of amazing that one of them has only 824 posts and a whopping 548 of them are "Liked". That's not suspicious at all. Can you say sock puppet?

Meanwhile, the majority of my dislikes are from these two and typically whenever I criticize Calvinism.

<wait for it...>

What is to like about your posting.....?
You are just critical of anything biblical that Cals enjoy.
When responded to you go into the non cal, turtle in the shell, fetal position because you are unable to respond.

Can you point to 3 of your most helpful.posts.....maybe I missed the scriptures you offered, or the helpful idea.

 

[InTheLight]

What is to like about your posting.....?
You are just critical of anything biblical that Cals enjoy.
When responded to you go into the non cal, turtle in the shell, fetal position because you are unable to respond.

Can you point to 3 of your most helpful.posts.....maybe I missed the scriptures you offered, or the helpful idea.

Yes, you have missed them. Deliberately. You're in denial.

Or maybe they've been deleted. LOL! That's a favorite complaint of you two clowns.

Anyway, not the proper place to have this discussion.

 

[InTheLight]

Meanwhile, the majority of my dislikes are from these two and typically whenever I criticize Calvinism.

<wait for it...>

Ha ha ha ha ha! You guys do not disappoint.