Relational Evangelism defended

[evangelist6589]

I have books both on Lifestyle and friendship evangelism. Referring to the book Conversational Evangelism which is a book on relational evangelism its obvious what Geisler says is correct, and he describes some of my struggles very well in witnessing. I am not 100% for nor against any form of evangelism, but I lean The Way of the Master. However in this thread I want to give relational and lifestyle evangelists a place to defend their views. The best defender is one whom reads on all the forms of evangelism so I hope you have done this. Both Calvinists and Arminian/Non-Calvinists agree and disagree on forms of evangelism so CounterPoint books would be wise to create a book debating this issue as they have many other controversial issues.

Don't throw a party over me saying this, but I was incorrect in a previous thread by saying that relational evangelism was a complete fallacy. The author of the CARM article I do not think has read books defending other forms of evangelism. He also forgot his Bible studies training because the culture which Jesus lived was well saturated in the 10 commandments and the Torah, a complete opposite culture than what we live. However Paul visited places (Acts 17) that was postmodern in a sense and I see he modified his evangelism for that audience.

 

[annsni]

Evan - Once again you make books the qualifier for knowledge on a particular subject. Why is that?

Let me ask you a question: If one only has the Word of God, is he ignorant and unable to address any topics of theology?

 

[PreachTony]

Evan - no offense buddy, I love ya like a brother, but you have got to learn the difference between "who" and "whom." :smilewinkgrin:


That said, can you at least provide brief definitions or links for the following:

• Relational Evangelism
• Conversational Evangelism
• Lifestyle/friendship evangelism

Just so we all know what terms we're dealing with here.

 

[blessedwife318]

Evan - Once again you make books the qualifier for knowledge on a particular subject. Why is that?

Let me ask you a question: If one only has the Word of God, is he ignorant and unable to address any topics of theology?

I was thinking the same thing. One should be able to defend their views from the Bible not a book, no matter how many verses that book may quote. The Bible should always be our authority not how many books one has read.

Now onto the OP I would say looking at both the Gospel's and Acts and the Epistle that there is no one size fits all method. It seems more like be ready and open to sharing, use wisdom on the method, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. I apologize for the lack of Bible references but I'm at the laundromat on my phone

We see Jesus lambasting the religious leaders, talking in parables to the crowds, directly to the women at the well. We see different sermons in Acts that have different tones, we see Paul using what is around him to witness, the idols in Athens or quotes from their writers. We see him give one line to the jailer and an entire summary of the gospel to Felix. I'm sure there are more but that is what came to mind off the top of my head.

 

[evangelist6589]

Evan - Once again you make books the qualifier for knowledge on a particular subject. Why is that?



Let me ask you a question: If one only has the Word of God, is he ignorant and unable to address any topics of theology?

Read my post again. Did I not refer to Acts 17? Also any good book will be loaded with scripture.

But by your own logic I should not listen to you since you are not the Bible. Foolishness! The bible says we have been given teachers and they often write books refer to Ephesians.

Let's get back on topic.

 

[evangelist6589]

I was thinking the same thing. One should be able to defend their views from the Bible not a book, no matter how many verses that book may quote. The Bible should always be our authority not how many books one has read.

Now onto the OP I would say looking at both the Gospel's and Acts and the Epistle that there is no one size fits all method. It seems more like be ready and open to sharing, use wisdom on the method, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. I apologize for the lack of Bible references but I'm at the laundromat on my phone

We see Jesus lambasting the religious leaders, talking in parables to the crowds, directly to the women at the well. We see different sermons in Acts that have different tones, we see Paul using what is around him to witness, the idols in Athens or quotes from their writers. We see him give one line to the jailer and an entire summary of the gospel to Felix. I'm sure there are more but that is what came to mind off the top of my head.

I always test my books with the scripture also in the college and seminary level classes books are always emphasized and studied but scripture is the final authority.

 

[InTheLight]

Let's get back on topic.

That said, can you at least provide brief definitions or links for the following:

Relational Evangelism
Conversational Evangelism
Lifestyle/friendship evangelism

Just so we all know what terms we're dealing with here.

 

[PreachTony]

That said, can you at least provide brief definitions or links for the following:

Relational Evangelism
Conversational Evangelism
Lifestyle/friendship evangelism

Just so we all know what terms we're dealing with here.

What's this, ITL? I don't even merit a "QUOTE?" :smilewinkgrin: (kidding)

 

[evangelist6589]

That said, can you at least provide brief definitions or links for the following:



Relational Evangelism

Conversational Evangelism

Lifestyle/friendship evangelism



Just so we all know what terms we're dealing with here.

Relational and conversational and friendship evangelism are all the same. Lifestyle evangelism is evangelism that is mostly focused on living like Christ and people coming to faith that way. In my POV this method has little biblical support.

 

[gigabyte71]

Relational and conversational and friendship evangelism are all the same. Lifestyle evangelism is evangelism that is mostly focused on living like Christ and people coming to faith that way. In my POV this method has little biblical support.

I think it has no Biblical support. Faith comes by hearing, not by seeing me live a Christ centered life. And would it be a Christ centered life if you weren't sharing the gospel, with your voice, with that person?

 

[annsni]

Relational and conversational and friendship evangelism are all the same.

That still doesn't give a definition.

Lifestyle evangelism is evangelism that is mostly focused on living like Christ and people coming to faith that way. In my POV this method has little biblical support.

Matthew 5:16 " In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

 

[annsni]

Read my post again. Did I not refer to Acts 17? Also any good book will be loaded with scripture.

That's great but are they the authority? From what you've written, if I haven't read books, I can't speak on a subject. Why is that?

But by your own logic I should not listen to you since you are not the Bible. Foolishness! The bible says we have been given teachers and they often write books refer to Ephesians.

Let's get back on topic.

Well, thank you for seeing my writing as being as good as a book - I don't quite feel that my writing is that great.

HOWEVER, the Bible is my authority. Not a book written by a man. If a book says something, that's great. If it agrees with Scripture, wonderful. If it doesn't, it's not worthwhile. But just because it's a book does not mean it is an authority.

You don't want to listen to anyone who has not read the books you feel they need to read. Why is that? Is there extra revelation? New information that is not in the Bible and we need more than what the Bible has to offer?

 

[InTheLight]

Relational and conversational and friendship evangelism are all the same. Lifestyle evangelism is evangelism that is mostly focused on living like Christ and people coming to faith that way. In my POV this method has little biblical support.

This is not how it works. Unbelievers see how a Christian lives their lives and it becomes an opening for a conversation about how Jesus has changed your life. Ultimately the gospel needs to be told to these unbelievers.

Anyway, you're the one that keeps saying that God will draw the elect to him no matter what, so why wouldn't this technique work? Is your God not sovereign enough?

Here's the chorus from a song that describes part of what lifestyle evangelism is about:

Above and below me
Before and behind me
In every eye that sees me
Christ be all around me

 

[evangelist6589]

I think it has no Biblical support. Faith comes by hearing, not by seeing me live a Christ centered life. And would it be a Christ centered life if you weren't sharing the gospel, with your voice, with that person?

I would agree. However the author does use verses like let your light shine before men and you are the salt of the earth in his defense. Overall I think he has a good writing style but his book is not the most scripture saturated.

You may influence some by living a good life which will get you an audience, however it's not about me but about Christ and his drawing the elect to salvation.

I think most missed the point of this thread which was to let friendship evangelists speak out and defend their view.

 

[evangelist6589]

This is not how it works. Unbelievers see how a Christian lives their lives and it becomes an opening for a conversation about how Jesus has changed your life. Ultimately the gospel needs to be told to these unbelievers.

Anyway, you're the one that keeps saying that God will draw the elect to him no matter what, so why wouldn't this technique work? Is your God not sovereign enough?

Here's the chorus from a song that describes part of what lifestyle evangelism is about:

Above and below me
Before and behind me
In every eye that sees me
Christ be all around me

Mormons and atheists both live good lives.

 

[gigabyte71]

I would agree. However the author does use verses like let your light shine before men and you are the salt of the earth in his defense. Overall I think he has a good writing style but his book is not the most scripture saturated.

You may influence some by living a good life which will get you an audience, however it's not about me but about Christ and his drawing the elect to salvation.

I think most missed the point of this thread which was to let friendship evangelists speak out and defend their view.

You assume there are any 'friendship' evangelists on here. I believe you are misreading some of those who are saying that having a friendly conversation with someone is more likely to have impact than a cold impersonal letter sent by someone who a person doesn't know.

 

[InTheLight]

I would agree. However the author does use verses like let your light shine before men and you are the salt of the earth in his defense. Overall I think he has a good writing style but his book is not the most scripture saturated.

1 Peter 2:12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

Matt. 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

1 Peter 3:1-2 3 Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.

1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

Colossians 4:5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

1 Cor. 9:19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

You may influence some by living a good life which will get you an audience, however it's not about me but about Christ and his drawing the elect to salvation.

Yes, and you ignore me when I said "ultimately the gospel needs to be told to these people. Now, which way of preaching the gospel is more effective:

1. Standing on street corners yelling at disinterested strangers?

2. Having friends of yours truly interested in what Jesus has done in your life and asking you to explain it to them?

 

[InTheLight]

Mormons and atheists both live good lives.

Sure but do they go around hoping:

In every eye that sees me
Christ be all around me

 

[InTheLight]

I think it has no Biblical support. Faith comes by hearing, not by seeing me live a Christ centered life. And would it be a Christ centered life if you weren't sharing the gospel, with your voice, with that person?

1 Peter 3:3 Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.

 

[gigabyte71]

1 Peter 3:3 Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.

Sounds like they first rejected the word, then because of the behavior of the wife they believed.