Featured Tell the Truth by Will Metzger discussion

I finished the book. It is good, but really not much different from many others. I think he was focused more on how evangelism "fits in" with Reformed theology much of the time. But it was a good book and I am glad you "talked" me into getting it. As far as evangelism goes, and even his outlook at sharing the gospel, I still do not view it as "Reformed." His understanding of salvation is, but not his evangelism.

 

Ahhh...that's why I bought the book. Turns out there is no "Reformed" model. It's regular biblical evangelism. What is Reformed is the understanding of how God works towards salvation...everything else is biblical evangelism.

But it is a good book. I think I like "The Fifth Gospel" better in terms of evangelism...but perhaps "The Art of Personal Evangelism" trumps both (IMHO). What I don't like is all of the stories. I don't know if you've noticed, but books on evangelism are full of stories.

 

John…this book is 207 pages not counting the Appendix. It is not written at a difficult level by any means, and much of the chapters contain stories of his experiences with different people. I have had this since the 23rd. I have read it more than once. And please stop telling me what people would do in a seminary environment. I am not in seminary, I am at my home and can adequately concentrate on a 207 page book and easily read it slowly with understanding in a matter of days (given it is written at a popular level...it has taken me a week to digest one short chapter of some books).

Yes… I know. It has nothing to do with the book...as Metzger seems to question the communication value of both at times (his preference seems to be more conversational)...but I know that both use these methods. Evangelistic churches who are neither Arminian or Calvinistic also use these methods.

 

John....stop and read my previous comments SLOWLY. Please point out where I said I did not like the book. I don't care about amazon reviews - The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins got good reviews. I never said it was not a good book. I LIKED THE BOOK JOHN. It just is not my favorite book in terms of evangelism.

Put it this way, it took you less than 3 hours to read the 13 page article by Aune. The article was a more difficult read…yet in those short hours (if you didn’t do anything but read the article…which obviously is not the case since you were posting during that time) you read and considered what the author said and dismissed it as “hogwash.” If I devoted only a few hours to “Tell the Truth” each day I could have read it easily read it with the same focus you gave the article in even less time than I did. It was easier for me as I was stuck in waiting rooms for a few days.

Now if you want to legitimately discuss the book...lets have at it.

 

I agree with his comments. I remember this being a topic of evangelism in the late 80’s. Dr. Kennedy asserted that a large percent of Christians are not born again. Here is another observation from a different book I’m reading:

“[The cause of the gospel is not helped] by the explosion of young bloggers with just enough knowledge of history to be dangerous and almost no understanding of Scripture or how to interpret it. Their mantra: “If we’re just nice to people, they’ll see our perspective. Don’t judge anyone’s beliefs. And whatever you do, don’t offend anybody!” Their apparent goal is for all humanity to coexist as one, singing in three-part harmony some sort of postmillennial world peace anthem. They believe if we simply say we’re sorry, tone down our language, and redefine some key biblical truths to accommodate our culture’s tolerance-based morality, that’ll do it.” (Conway)

Yes…the whole gospel needs to be preached. But I do not think that it will prevent weeds from growing among the wheat. Christ says that some will come saying “Lord, Lord, did we not…”. They emphatically acknowledge His as Lord (κύριος, κύριος), and they have done work in the ministry…it appears reasonable that they have been used by God in the ministry. But Christ is not the Lord of their lives. Evangelism cannot fix this…wheat and tares will exist together in the Church. But preaching the full gospel may help prevent misunderstandings, some false converts, and is obedience to Christ. Anything less is disobedience and "another gospel" than the "repent and believe" of Scripture.

 

Happy Birthday! Did you get that theology book you wanted (Wayne Grudem, if I remember correctly)?