Postmodernism's influence on evangelism

[evangelist6589]

this may be a bit off topic:

Acts 5:42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

Matthew 10:7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

These are two of my favorite verses in the word of God.

The Scriptures teach us that we are to have a lifestyle of evangelism, as opposed to lifestyle evangelism, what I mean by that is we are always to be constantly looking for opportunities to present Christ, but at the same time we are to always be confronting people about their sin and presenting Christ to them.

Evangelism is more than just a two hour time slot a week where you go and knock on doors.

It's a constant keeping your eyes open for lost sinners!

I believe in a lifestyle of evangelism, not lifestyle evangelism.

of course it's hard to witness to people when you yourself are not living right.

excellent post Jordan

 

[JonC]

What I am asking for from you is a break down of your assertion that postmodernism has made it more difficult to witness in your preferred method of evangelism. What are the details of postmodernism's influence on this?

:thumbsup: That's really what I am more interested in as well, Evan. I'd like for you to clarify the other questions I asked (I think it'd help me understand your comments better), but Rev's question above would be a great place to start.

Thanks.

 

[evangelist6589]

:thumbsup: That's really what I am more interested in as well, Evan. I'd like for you to clarify the other questions I asked (I think it'd help me understand your comments better), but Rev's question above would be a great place to start.

Thanks.

Let me get back with you.

 

[JamesL]

Let me get back with you.

When you get back to your Mac...right?

 

[Greektim]

People don't read tracts. People don't listen to open air sermons. People don't take the bible seriously. People refuse to repent of their ways. I am broad-brushing here. It just seems hard witnessing to people of a post modern mindset in today's culture.

Then one wonders why you advocate it so?

 

[evangelist6589]

When you get back to your Mac...right?

Quite correct

 

[evangelist6589]

Then one wonders why you advocate it so?

I advocate doing all types of evangelism to reach the lost and this includes friendship evangelism.

 

[quantumfaith]

I am confused.....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postmodernism

 

[Revmitchell]

I advocate doing all types of evangelism to reach the lost and this includes friendship evangelism.

I am pretty sure as recently as this year you condemned this and claimed your way of evangelism was the only biblical way to do it. When did you change your mind?

 

[evangelist6589]

I am pretty sure as recently as this year you condemned this and claimed your way of evangelism was the only biblical way to do it. When did you change your mind?

I have never argued for that position. I have argued that the Law to the proud and Grace to the humble approach is THE BEST WAY of doing evangelism, but I have never said its the only way to do evangelism.

 

[evangelist6589]

Wait a minute…..postmodernism is a technical term for the “why” (the why being people’s mindset against the culture)? I am not so sure that today’s “postmodernism” is not very similar to the environment in which the apostles lived. But I am sure that postmodernism is more than a technical term for the “why.”

How exactly are you defining the term “postmodernism”? What would you say the differences are between how the church expressed itself during “modernism” versus how you believe it should in a “postmodern” world?

Truth is not objective but rather a product of a person's culture.
Truth (as in science, education, religion or such) is CREATED by a specific culture or community, and is true only in and for that culture or community.

Have you ever read the umpire analogy to describe PostModernism?

Do you give credence to those (e.g., Linda Hutcheon, Josh Toth) who believe postmodernism has passed, or do you think that we are merely at its beginning? Do you view postmodernism as exhibiting itself in a concise form (as in specific temporal events, or perhaps manifesting itself in certain generations, or is it more a matter of shades (with postmodern thought existing in all ages)?

I do not know these men or I forgot about them but perhaps in one of my books they are mentioned. I believe that PostModernism is in full swing these days, and I see much of it when I hit the streets of DT Denver and dialogue with lost people.

 

[evangelist6589]

Here is a definition of Postmodernism given by Millard J. Erickson in his book on the topic.

Truth is not something objective, to be understood more and more completely. Truth is what is truth for me, and that may be different than it is for you or others.

 

[blessedwife318]

I have never argued for that position. I have argued that the Law to the proud and Grace to the humble approach is THE BEST WAY of doing evangelism, but I have never said its the only way to do evangelism.

You don't have to say the words "this is the only way to evangelize" to make that argument.

Below is a small sampling of you making the de facto argument that WOTM is the only way to evangelize.

Most here reject WOTM but probably in ignorance and stubbornness.*

Granted some books such as The Way of the Master, ... are invaluable.

In recent days I have been blessed so much by Way of the Master like minded*evangelists*including Ray Comfort. And today I came home and got a UPS package and in it was a brand new copy of the Way of the Master book, Out of the Comfort Zone, and*2 Way*of the Master*sample*packs. Praise the Lord for people that will bless others.

Our Church is not 9 Marks, however we will be using this book as our fall focus on healthy church members. Has anyone*read it*and what are your thoughts? Skimming the evangelism section, the author definitely does not argue in favor of the Way of the Master approach to evangelism, so that may be my only pre-gripe to the book.

Its the same way you make it clear with the majority of your post that the Bible is not your authority but books written by men are.

Just as you have no problem confronting others of their errors I will continue to have no problem pointing out your errors.
Ironic

 

[JonC]

Here is a definition of Postmodernism given by Millard J. Erickson in his book on the topic.



Truth is not something objective, to be understood more and more completely. Truth is what is truth for me, and that may be different than it is for you or others.

Erickson's is right that Postmodernism denies objective knowledge to a great extent. That is something it does, not something it is. Wells often refers to the "autonomous self." Is a denial of absolute truth the only aspect of postmodernity you are wrestling with? Do you see any issues with modernity?

 

[evangelist6589]

Erickson's is right that Postmodernism denies objective knowledge to a great extent. That is something it does, not something it is. Wells often refers to the "autonomous self." Is a denial of absolute truth the only aspect of postmodernity you are wrestling with? Do you see any issues with modernity?

I don't know. What book of Wells are you referring too? I have no Place for truth. Is that the one?

 

[evangelist6589]

You don't have to say the words "this is the only way to evangelize" to make that argument.

Below is a small sampling of you making the de facto argument that WOTM is the only way to evangelize.










Its the same way you make it clear with the majority of your post that the Bible is not your authority but books written by men are.

Just as you have no problem confronting others of their errors I will continue to have no problem pointing out your errors.
Ironic

Oh please get out of this thread. Go Chase a Hog!

 

[JonC]

I don't know. What book of Wells are you referring too? I have no Place for truth. Is that the one?

Probably there or Wasteland. I heard it in an interview, but he's said it often. NoPlace for Truth is a good read (perhaps a out of date, but good nonetheless).

 

[blessedwife318]

Oh please get out of this thread. Go Chase a Hog!

Well not a rabbit but I will take it. I guess now I really am an official member of the Rabbit club so thank you for that. I really appreciate it

 

[Rolfe]

Well not a rabbit but I will take it. I guess now I really am an official member of the Rabbit club so thank you for that. I really appreciate it

That Passage about casting pearls to swine comes to mind. Ironic, eh?

 

[blessedwife318]

That Passage about casting pearls to swine comes to mind. Ironic, eh?

Yeah I agree but its too amusing to me at the moment..