Tell the Truth by Will Metzger Calvinist evangelism

[JonC]

What version did you get? I have the 3rd edition which I bought on half.com in very good condition.

That's what I bought (except in "good" condition).

 

[Van]

Evangelism is communicating the gospel to the lost. Before one can accept the gospel they must understand the need. All men have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. God's Law testifies to this. But one must believe to be saved. This belief includes repentance and of course belief in Jesus as Lord. God draws men to Himself. It is not up to me to talk someone into "accepting Christ" as I cannot save anyone. But God draws people to Himself and works in their lives to effect salvation.

JonC, I think the above is "spot on." But you may have hidden meanings, if we delved into what you meant by the use of some of your words, that I would disagree with.

For example "draw" is used metaphorically in scripture to mean to attract by lovingkindness, rather than drag by irresistible grace.

Evangelism is more than proclaiming what we believe is the gospel, we are to "bear witness" with our lives, i.e. walk the talk, and we are to bring to light the good news, which includes laying the foundation of why it is "good news."

 

[Van]

Van, did you read the book?

And once again, you are not addressing the views expressed.

I could say, yes I have read it, but that would be a tad disingenuous. My copy is not dog-eared, I have not studied it. If you have a copy and would like to refer to a section by title, i.e. Packaging the Gospel, then I will address the book's view specifically.

 

[Rippon]

I could say, yes I have read it, but that would be a tad disingenuous. My copy is not dog-eared, I have not studied it.

Bottom line (as you love to repeatedly say) --you have misrepresented yourself. You have not read it much less studied it. Yet you presume to make pronouncements on it in post #10.

 

[Van]

Bottom line (as you love to repeatedly say) --you have misrepresented yourself. You have not read it much less studied it. Yet you presume to make pronouncements on it in post #10.

Yet another malicious fabrication, I have read the book, just not every word or diagram in the book.

I specially addressed bogus assertions made in the book. Now if you want to discuss the views found in the book, have at it.

 

[evangelist6589]

That's what I bought (except in "good" condition).

Good let's chat when it arrives.

 

[Yeshua1]

Too many Calvinists have recommended this book, and the other day a trusted source of mine also did the same and so I finally caved and bought a copy, however I got it used online for $1.50 to save costs. Has anyone read it and what do you think? It seems to endorse friendship evangelism and other methods that are against WOTM. However as good as WOTM is, its not a Calvinist form of evangelism. But I still have much good to say of WOTM. But God's sovereignty in salvation cannot be reduced to one form of evangelism, as he can work via friendships as well. What do you say of the book? I will give it a read when I get a copy.

peter's remarks to us be able to give a good report to someone asking what we believe and why, along with paul stating that we are living epistles to be seen by the unsaved, seem to argue for personal friendship type evangelism!

 

[evangelist6589]

peter's remarks to us be able to give a good report to someone asking what we believe and why, along with paul stating that we are living epistles to be seen by the unsaved, seem to argue for personal friendship type evangelism!

That's because you take scripture out of context or build an entire doctrine on a isolated passage of scripture and miss out the scope of Biblical theology.

 

[JonC]

JonC, I think the above is "spot on." But you may have hidden meanings, if we delved into what you meant by the use of some of your words, that I would disagree with.

For example "draw" is used metaphorically in scripture to mean to attract by lovingkindness, rather than drag by irresistible grace.

Evangelism is more than proclaiming what we believe is the gospel, we are to "bear witness" with our lives, i.e. walk the talk, and we are to bring to light the good news, which includes laying the foundation of why it is "good news."

Hey Van. By "draw" I mean draw. No necessarily metaphorically, but as God working within the lives and wills of human beings towards salvation. Whether it is to attract by lovingkindness or perhaps a time of persuasion, it is God drawing people. To take it to irresistible grace in terms of evangelism is not relevant, so I can comfortably say that in terms of evangelism we would agree that "draw" means pretty much the same thing (beyond that we may differ). But no hidden meanings on my part.

I agree 100% with your last statement. I read the other "To Tell the Truth" book and the author is really advocating friendship evangelism as those who practice this type of evangelism view it. He does reject evangelism that is absent of presenting the gospel...but then I suppose it wouldn't be evangelism (it'd just be "friendship"). In that book he goes into detail about how Jesus took the time to interact and be a part of people's lives on a 1:1 basis. I was not planning on buying another book on evangelism...but John intrigued me...so it's on the way.

 

[Yeshua1]

That's because you take scripture out of context or build an entire doctrine on a isolated passage of scripture and miss out the scope of Biblical theology.

We are also commanded to be at peace with all others, if possible, and to be the light and salt before them...

Seems that the entire biblical scope idsto have persons spoken to about jesus whom we have relationships with!

 

[Rippon]

Yet another malicious fabrication, I have read the book, just not every word or diagram in the book.

These are your own words from post #23:
"I could say, yes I have read it, but that would be a tad disingenuous."

 

[JonC]

John, "Tell the Truth" arrived today. I have started it...made good progress (there really isn't anything "new" so far, but I do like his presentation) and will be able to discuss it late tomorrow or early Monday.

 

[evangelist6589]

John, "Tell the Truth" arrived today. I have started it...made good progress (there really isn't anything "new" so far, but I do like his presentation) and will be able to discuss it late tomorrow or early Monday.

Started new there. Reformed evangelism shows up all over the book I don't know how you could miss it.