Postmodernism's influence on evangelism

[evangelist6589]

I was reading a book speaking about this topic and how many these days are not influenced by a gospel tract, open air sermon, or Romans road type gospel presentation. Back in the 60's this was not the case as many boomers were won to Christ via gospel tracts but today most just ignore them. While Ray Comfort is my model evangelist I have never witnessed him bring anyone to Christ, and he himself admitted once he has never found anyone truly humble, so he always uses law with people.

This book is addressing views most on this board would agree with and that is lifestyle evangelism. I think it wise for me to know their views as well. So the book argues for being a witness for over doing evangelism.

Has anyone had much success with the postmodern mindset?

 

[Revmitchell]

You have not established what you think the postmodern mindset is.

 

[evangelist6589]

You have not established what you think the postmodern mindset is.

Truth is not absolute. Jesus is good for you, but not for me. The bible is a true document, but so are other religious works. That's a basic synopsis of it. Postmodernism also has lots of relativism.

 

[JamesL]

Which is worse?

1) Thinking there's no absolute truth

2) Wrongly thinking the "Romans Road" tracts are truth


It's hard to choose the lesser of 2 evils and call it right



.

 

[evangelist6589]

Which is worse?

1) Thinking there's no absolute truth

2) Wrongly thinking the "Romans Road" tracts are truth


It's hard to choose the lesser of 2 evils and call it right



.

Both are wrong

 

[Revmitchell]

Truth is not absolute. Jesus is good for you, but not for me. The bible is a true document, but so are other religious works. That's a basic synopsis of it. Postmodernism also has lots of relativism.

What I meant was you have not established its effect on evangelism

 

[evangelist6589]

What I meant was you have not established its effect on evangelism

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.

 

[Revmitchell]

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.

So why do you believe that postmodernism has caused this?

 

[evangelist6589]

So why do you believe that postmodernism has caused this?

Sin the total depravity of man and satan has caused this. However postmodernism is a technical term for the why.

 

[JamesL]

People refuse to repent of their ways....

Doesn't Calvinism teach that one cannot "repent of his ways" because he has not been given a new heart yet?

Why are you laying blame on the man, when Calvinism teaches that it's God's fault?

 

[Revmitchell]

Sin the total depravity of man and satan has caused this. However postmodernism is a technical term for the why.

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?


Can you tell me the difference between friendship evangelism and lifestyle evangelism?


Why do you believe it is wise for you to know their views as well?

 

[evangelist6589]

Doesn't Calvinism teach that one cannot "repent of his ways" because he has not been given a new heart yet?



Why are you laying blame on the man, when Calvinism teaches that it's God's fault?

Yes that's what I believe however the author is arminian and most on this board are not Calvinist so I am arguing from your POV.

 

[evangelist6589]

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?





Can you tell me the difference between friendship evangelism and lifestyle evangelism?





Why do you believe it is wise for you to know their views as well?

Friendship and lifestyle evangelism are synonymous

 

[Revmitchell]

Friendship and lifestyle evangelism are synonymous

That's it? You do not have any answer for anything else?

 

[JamesL]

Yes that's what I believe however the author is arminian and most on this board are not Calvinist so I am arguing from your POV.

Not my point of view, brother. The "repent of your ways" is a cancer in both Calvinist and Arminian camps.

The Arminian position is at odds with scripture, while the Calvinist position is that plus internally conflicted.

 

[Don]

Truth is not absolute. Jesus is good for you, but not for me. The bible is a true document, but so are other religious works. That's a basic synopsis of it. Postmodernism also has lots of relativism.

Are these the views that you think most on this board have?

In order to discuss this, you need to be more clear about what it is you're asking. What, exactly and specifically, are you looking for opinions about?

 

[evangelist6589]

That's it? You do not have any answer for anything else?

I was at the dentist. I will reply in more detail on my Mac.

 

[Jordan Kurecki]

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.

 

[Salty]

Jordan - execllent post! :thumbsup:

 

[JonC]

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.

Sin the total depravity of man and satan has caused this. However postmodernism is a technical term for the why.

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? 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)?