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Featured The fallacy of friendship evangelism

Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by evangelist6589, Nov 29, 2014.

  1. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
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    http://carm.org/friendship-evangelism
    http://carm.org/what-is-friendship-evangelism

    Friendship evangelism is the most popular by far form of evangelism on this board. While I am not 100% against it and have books that promote it in my library books such as The 5th Gospel, and Conversational Evangelism, I think overall Friendship evangelism is not all that supported in scripture.

    My attempts to evangelize the false churches, schools, politicians, and old friends and family members has often been met by resistance on this board due to the friendship evangelism mindset that is promoted here.

    The way to make Christ known among people is to preach him and this can take on many forms ranging from open air preaching, writing letters, passing out tracts, to sending emails.

    More good quotes that I hope people will read, but my guess they will be dismissed because they step on toes and challenge the traditions of men brought on by friendship evangelists.
     
  2. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    Aside from the fact that the op is a misrepresentation based on a biased characterization the last sentence of the op is more telling than anything else.

    Seriously, you need some help. You are neither spiritually nor emotionally mature enough to be on your own in service to God. You need someone to disciple you. It is great to stand firm on the word of God but there is a difference between doing that and standing firm on ideology alone. That latter is what you do based on the quote from you above.

    If you want to convince people and be influential then you need to refrain from beginning the conversation as an enemy like you did here. If you are just looking to be right and want to poke your finger in the eyes of those who disagree with you then post garbage like above.

    In fact the quoted statement shows you are not ready to be on a forum at all.
     
  3. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    We are sent out into the world as Ambassadors of christ, and to live among sinners as living Epistles, to be read by them, and we are instructed to share our faith when asked in a gracious manner,,,

    How is that NOT friendship evangelism?

    I would submit that there is much more biblical support for that style than always dong "fire and brimstone!"
     
  4. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
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    A man spends hours writing an article and quotes dozens of scripture which you dismiss with your opinion.
     
  5. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    Jesus Himself most often met physical needs before addressing the spiritual:


    Paul himself would work to establish relationships for the sake of the gospel"

     
  6. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
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    Please READ THE ARTICLES I linked.
     
  7. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    Yea I read them. They do not make your point. I have written on this as well. I have written papers on evangelism, I have studied this subject, I have preached on it for 18 years. You need direct discipleship for an extended period of time.
     
  8. InTheLight

    InTheLight Well-Known Member
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    From the article:
    I believe many Christians practice "Friendship Evangelism" with sincerity. But sadly, it is a sincerity most often born out of ignorance (1 Peter 1:13-16), an ignorance of the Word of God in general and biblical evangelism in particular. At the same time, I feel no such obligation to extend charity toward authors, pastors, teachers, speakers, and movement leaders who propagate this spiritual fraud upon followers of Christ--both true and false converts. Theirs will be a stricter judgment (James 3:1).

    Friendship Evangelism Doesn't Preach Christ

    My Friends Don't Want to me Preach Christ to Them


    OK, this person has no clue what "friendship evangelism" means. Friendship evangelism is the realization on the part of the believer that he is the biggest Christian someone knows, and that they need to be a living testimony to the love of Christ. Unsaved people are examining the Christian's lifestyle and life choices to see if they measure up to how they think a Christian should act and behave. Therefore, we need to be good Samaritan's to unbelievers, perform good deeds, help them with their problems, basically be their friend AND preach the gospel to them. Show them by your life that you are a committed Christian and yes, tell them about Jesus.

    This idea that standing on a street corner and yelling out "Repent sinners" is an effective evangelistic tool is the one that is fallacious.
     
  9. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    Jesus calls us to make disciples - not hand out tracts.

    Jesus also poured Himself into people's lives - spent time with them, ate with them, walked with them. I've not seen many people saved with a tract (and just how does one know if anyone even gets saved if they are not there to disciple them?) but I've seen many saved through the time, love and prayers of godly friends.
     
  10. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
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    I disagree!!!!!!!!
     
  11. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
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    But thats the model God has used for many generations, and also the mode he will use during the tribulation as many angels are proclaiming the gospel in the air, and the two witnesses will prophecy for 1260 days. I am for God and will use his method of evangelism.
     
  12. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
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    Its not about methods and also how do you know the ones that made a profession were not false converts? The point is this. God draws the elect to salvation via his way.
     
  13. Van

    Van Well-Known Member
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    The lost need to know how much we care (i.e. as concerned friends) before they will care about how much we know (about the good news.) Do we know whether God has gifted everyone to be proficient in "friendship evangelism" or might others be more gifted in planting seeds, or watering, or tilling the soil. Perhaps God's plan is not a one size fits all program?
     
  14. InTheLight

    InTheLight Well-Known Member
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    You really think in this age of technology and instant communication that yelling at passerbys on a street corner is God's model for evangelism?

    Paul rarely preached on the street. He would go to the synagogue and preach.

    And by extension you think people's attitudes and reception to the gospel is going to be the same in the Tribulation as it is today?
     
  15. Rolfe

    Rolfe Well-Known Member
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    If not, what is the point of this thread?
     
  16. Rolfe

    Rolfe Well-Known Member
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    Both very good posts.
     
  17. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    Well, it's significantly easier than when you're just 10 minutes in their lives. You see, when you lead one to the Lord and disciple them, you see a life change. You see the light in them. You see one walking in the ways of the Lord and you just pretty much know. Yes, there can be some who fake it but it is much less common than getting someone to say a prayer, hand them a tract then never see them again (that's not creating disciples, which Jesus COMMANDED us to do).
     
  18. quantumfaith

    quantumfaith Active Member

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    :applause::applause:
     
  19. Rolfe

    Rolfe Well-Known Member
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    Here comes Peter Cottontail...
     
  20. quantumfaith

    quantumfaith Active Member

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    Rolf, would that be me.....or did I simply initiate the conditions for him to show?
     
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