The Evangelization of Calvinists

I've got a question for you. Define "good theology" for me?

Be careful not to draw a line between Calvinists and Arminians. For one thing, just because someone isn't a Calvinist doesn't mean they are Arminian in the strict sense. Don't separate the two as if one is right with God, and the other is not. I've seen/heard/known some Calvinists who have it dead wrong. I've also seen/heard/known "Arminians" who have completely missed the Bible's message too. If you separate yourself, declare all Arminians wrong, than you have missed it too. I'd rather serve with an "Arminian" who loves people, and is passionate about reaching people for the sake of Jesus than a Calvinist who can't get his head out of the TULIP. You sound like you're learning.....keep learning, but be careful. Surround yourself with brothers/sisters from both streams. It'd be good for you.

 

First up is to convince people that they are sinners, law-breakers, and as a result stand under the condemnation of God--that they are in deep doo-doo God-wise. Next up is to convince them of their need to repent and trust the Saviour for their salvation.

There's no point in coercing because the repentance must be genuine.

I'm not sure what you're asking here. When I evangelize, I'm concerned that the person is under God's wrath, and that their fate, should they continue on as they are, is a very ugly one!

Of course. That's what gives me boldness to speak. God will give the increase.

 

I believe it is the Holy Spirit who convinces peopel they are a sinner in need of salvation, we have the responsability to tell the gospel to others, who gets saved and when is up to God not me.

 

As Mr. Spurgeon taught, we are to preach as if it all depends on us, and pray knowing it all depends on God.

We would be remiss if we did not make ever effort possible to reach the unsaved with the gospel. We would also be remiss if we did not acknowledge that the Holy Spirit is the One who brings about repentance and faith to believe that gospel.

Cheers, knowing that sound theology will never steer you in a wrong direction,

Jim

 

Andy,

Moving from one man's theology to another man's theology is problematic at best and dangerous at worst. I pray that you begin to focus upon God and His theology rather than the theology of individuals.

Having said that - some great evangelists were (& are) calvinistic. And I am appalled at the lack of evangelism among all Christians.

Be all things to all people so that God might save some through His ministry through you . . .

Wayne

 

I think too many Calvinists agree with your statement "Never underestimate the value of doing nothing." Unfortunately, Jesus would never have agreed with you.

 

What? Where did Donna say we should do nothing? To quote her, she says that

That is a call to do something: tell the gospel!

 

Hello Andy - when I "converted" (I've been told this is not the correct word but I don't know how else to say it) to calvinism, I continued using the method I was taught to present the Gospel - the Romans Road.

After a while, I changed my presentation to eliminate leading in the sinner's prayer. I would ask them to pray in their own words.

Later, I avoided the sinner's prayer all together and would simply encourage them to continue in faith and to begin preparing themselves to follow the Lord in Believer's Baptism.

But now I have readjusted my position on the sinner's prayer to neutral. I think there are times that it is helpful.

I thought as a Calvinist the Gospel presentatin should be radically different, but when I looked at D James Kennedy's (a Calvinist) program, Evangelism Explosion, I saw very little in that program that was different from what I was already using.

Having thought about it for some time now, I'm convinced that the "Roman's Road" presentation of the Gospel is thorough and sound. I can find no fault in it.

However, I am also convinced that the real error the non-cal makes is what happens after the sinner's prayer. "Give them assurance of their salvation" was what I was trained to do after they prayed. This is a big mistake. Just as God can only save, only God can give assurance. The weight of sin will never be brought to bear on the conscience of sinners that have been taught that their assurance of salvation lies in their profession of faith.

It is a tough discipline that former non-cals soul winners must develop - waiting for God to do the saving, the changing, the assuring in time.

I heard a calvinist pastor say "We'll see" when a convert professed salvation. At first, I thought this odd and perhaps unscriptual. Was he doubting the man's profession, and if so, who was he to do such a thing? But now I see the wisdom of such a statement. "We'll see" is right. Only in time can assurance come through continuing faith through testing and doctrinal growth.

One of the greatest benefits of witnessing as a calvinist is knowing that God will call His elect through the Gospel. I don't have to worry over whether I said enough, or too much, etc. Don't get me wrong - I pray and pray hard that God will give me the right words. But on the back side of that praying is confidence that God will give me those words that fit His purpose.

I've dealt here with the method by which we witness. Hopefully that speaks to the OP.

 

Also, what's missing in today's witnessing and preaching is waiting for God to bring about true repentance. The Puritans put a big emphasis on sin, and it's accompanying offence toward God, being brought fully to bear on a sinner's conscience. In today's decisionism, people are pushed in to making a profession before they have been thoroughly convicted of their sin. Oh, they may be sorry they lied to their mother, but they have yet to understand the depth to which they have offended the Righteous Father, God.

Edward and Whitefield alike brought the need of conversion (not decision) to the minds of the sinners. Under their preaching, men cried out in agony as the reality of their lostness sank in. Men sought conversion, for they knew that without it, they would know God's wrath. This is the true Gospel. They turned to God, not their own hearts, in seeking relief from their condemnation. And when conversion finally came, they knew it, and had not need that any man should teach them!

 

I am in agreement Jim, we should not ever be slack in telling others about Jesus, even though we know it is all God, and not us who gets the job done.

 

What you need to do is learn the difference between a statement and comical cartoon signature line.

 

Thansk you Rusell55!

 

JD, you are spot on.

I, too, used the Roman Road and the Sinner's Prayer in soulwinning. But about nine years ago, an incident during a mission trip to Romania caused me to re-examine everything we do and say in presenting the gospel.

Romanian Baptist churches did not give invitations. When I asked why, a pastor replied, "we believe that when the Spirit of God stirs someone's heart, it is not necessary to create an atmosphere in which the Spirit can work. He is sovereign."

The pastor also noted, "we have found that when the Spirit stirs someone's heart, we do not have to beg them. We cannot keep them away. They will come to us."

I also noticed that their Sunday attendance was about twice their membership.

As you can imagine, it got me to thinking. So I resolved to measure all our evangelism and soul-winning methods against the Word of God.

As a result, I was more careful in my use of the Roman Road. I have now dropped the Sinner's Prayer altogether.

My approach is similar to JD's. I try to bring them face to face with their sin against God and its consequences. I press the command to repent and to trust Christ's finished work for salvation. A couple of questions for them: "Do you repent of your sin? Do you believe Christ rose from the dead, and died for sinners just like you? Do you confess him as your Lord?"

If the answers are yes, more questions: "Will you publicly confess him before the congregation? Will you be baptized?" You know what the hardest thing to do at that moment? Just shut up.

According to Romans 10:9-10, a prayer is not necessary. No more magic words to rely on.

And JD, you are right. We should never offer assurance at that moment.

 

There's the key point. Oh that God would stir the hearts!

 

I will toss my nickle in here...

I have used many differing 'approaches' to giving a gospel presentation but I to for some odd reason hold toward that old Roman Road with deviations as the Spriit leads toward other scriptures. But what I was going to address are two small points.

The prayer and Faith:
I usally ask them to pray but will also lead them in prayer if they are unsure how to approach God. But I only bring the prayer into the equation after I have spoken with then to know if they truely understand their lostness verse His righteousness. And that they of and or by themselves CAN NOT save themselves but that God alone brings forth salvation unto us who believe. BUT I always tell them that this prayer in no way saves you but it is the faith you set in the finished work of Christ that saves a person. I find in Rom 10:9 when it states "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus...", that this is not specifically speaking of some public profession (though there is not against this per-say either) but the very prayer unto God for salvation as verse 10 finishes it with "with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." but it is not the prayer that actually saves (we know but the faith therein) and yet it is the confession unto God which is nothing less than talking with God known only as prayer.

Assurance:
I ALWAYS share with the person whom has made a 'profession' in Christ about the assurance of the believer. I then show them 2 Cor 5:15 ...They live for Him who died for them... The evedence of a radically changed life in Christ.
I share that a believer is one who is changed by God and lives out this changed life because of the work God has done in them and therefore that life being lived gives them that very assurance of salvation and eternal life.

Yet the converse is true. That one who does not show the marks of a changed and maintained life of fellowship with God and His people are shown as those who were never really saved - at which point I show them I John 2:19.
You doing works for God isn't what you do prove you are saved but the works you display are the craftmans mark of the work God did in you.

I explain how they will be changed and desire God, His Word, fellowship with other believers, and conviction of sin like never before. Yes my version of witnessing is a little longer than the 2 minute deal but I would rather them truely understand (count the cost) than to make it quick cause they have a life to live. IMO, if they allow the opportunity to share Christ it is quite possible there is no life after our encounter so I will do all I can, for there is a judgment coming and who will stand?!!

JD -
I agree as well - Oh that God would stir the hearts and bring them to repentence.

 

Oops...forgot to state (for those who don't yet know me) I'm not a Calvinist.

 

Allan, I do appreciate the care you take in using the Roman Road and the prayer of faith. I can accept its use if done the way you describe it, with one minor concern:

I say a minor concern, mainly with leading them in prayer. I'm not sure we need to be basically putting words in their mouths. If they can't ask God to save them on their own, maybe they need further teaching in this area.

I understand that you may be dealing with someone who may never have been in church, or knows little about praying. I just don't want those words we tell them to say don't degenerate into "say these magic word."

I don't for a minute think you do this. Your comments demonstrate that. I just wonder what would happen if we simply said, "if you desire to repent and trust Christ for salvation, ask Him." And then just shut up.

 

This is true and the reason I have seldom had to 'lead' in prayer. But I have had people so overcome with the holiness of God and their sin they just aren't sure how to proceed. Typically I will start them and continue to a point but they always seem to move on their own finish it with their hearts - I usually help them close with a thank you Father - Amen. Mostly cause they aren't sure how to close their prayer. -

 

Ditto! :thumbs: