Here is a question for you. How do you square this quote
"As we have seen in other accounts where Jesus evangelized, the methodology he used is not the point. Conversion is a divine miracle, and there are no formulas that can bring it about or explain it. There is no four- or five-step plan of salvation, or any prefabricated prayer that can guarantee the salvation of a soul" (pg 101 revised and expanded edition)
With your insistence that TWOTM is the best way to evangelize. MacArthur is making the argument that there is no one way to evangelize, no formula since it is all God's working in the hearts of sinners. It would seem you are at odds with your hero MacArthur on this point.
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I'll take a crack at it, since MacArthur is definitely one of the few heroes I have: MacArthur is not, I think, nullifying his own method of evangelism in saying this. He takes a very methodical approach to Exposition which no doubt has the intent of evangelizing those he teaches.
His point here is more an eternal perspective, meaning conversion itself is the Work of Sovereign God, not the one being used in the process.
I think most of us would be in agreement with the statement, the mention of a prayer being more readily understood, where often this "formula" is ridiculed with statements such as "You don't just say a prayer, walk the aisle, get baptized, and Boom! You're saved."
From the eternal perspective salvation is the result of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, enlightening the understanding of man to the reality of the Gospel, whereby He empowers the natural man to understand spiritual things of God which apart from the Holy Spirit he cannot.
From the temporal perspective you have those in the Body, and I believe even some that are not of the Body (and I give you the example of Caiaphas, and, I am not saying anyone was actually part of the Body in that day, prior to the Cross and Pentecost), who are used as delivery methods of the Gospel. And in the temporal, we know we have been commanded to be diligent in seeking after God, knowing Him and His will for our lives better. There is a consistent and strong emphasis on the Word of God and proper understanding of it, which all of us, in some way, give a certain amount of diligence in pursuing. The simple truth is that God can supernaturally use someone not well prepared, or in large part ignorant of Scripture (and I give you the disciples as an example), but, it is more likely that those who are diligent to prepare themselves will be more likely candidates in the process of conversion.
And each one will have a method, a formula, a system by which they approach that which they have been called to do. For some, a simple approach of the Romans Road is perhaps where they start. As they gain experience and a better understanding of Scripture, they will develop that unique ministry which God has prepared for some soul or souls in that person's life somewhere.
I have no idea what TWOTM is, and not sure I would agree it is the "best" way even if I did, because every person is unique and their perspective of God and salvation will define their approach. This may be the best way for some, and if it is, my personal opinion is that all of us should be standing behind, exhorting, edifying, and encouraging that individual in his evangelical efforts.
God bless.
