Are any of you familiar with "The Way Of The Master" TV program with Ray Comfort & Kirk Cameron? If so, what do you think about the evangelism approach?
I'm all for it. It's very similar to what our evangelism team uses. It's a good way to cut to the heart of the matter without getting hung up on peripheral issues and is a good way to teach Christians how to evangelize.
It's also great for people who are naturally shy and have a hard time talking to others.
I have been using it for years, am an Associate member of the Ambassador's Alliance, and think that the strategy that it uses (law to the proud, grace to the humble) is THE biblical strategy, although there are various methods to employ it, such as the "Good Person" test.
Evangelism is not evangelism unless:
#1 They realize, or are made to realize (through preaching, good person test, etc.) that they are a sinner who is utterly unworthy of God's mercy. So many methods fail at this point, simply stating "People are sinners" with no explanation. This is a vague term that most people do not appreciate.
#2 It includes a warning of judgment and hell.
#3 It includes repentance of sin, and an exhortation to faith.
#4 An explanation of the Gospel, the cross, what Christ has accomplished, etc.
The horrific "God has a wonderful plan for your life" seeker sensitive methodology, that avoids many or most of these things, is not evangelism. Nor, for that matter, is "Fire and brimstone" preaching, that preaches hell without a tearful imploring of the sinner to trust Christ (though preaching judgment is certainly an important part!).
Introduction
Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron’s ministry The Way of the Master (WoM) basically exists to teach a method of evangelism that involves the use of clever tracts and tactics that get an evangelist into friendly dialogue with unbelievers quickly and naturally (well, as naturally as one can expect when doing “cold” witnessing!). The main thrust of the WoM method is to rely upon the Ten Commandments as the standard for goodness to show unbelievers that they fail. The unbeliever is taken through several of the commandments and asked, hypothetically, that if they were to be judged on these alone would they expect to get into Heaven. This leads into a discussion of the Gospel and the evangelist is off and running.
I like the way they appeal to God's law and God's justice...don't care for the Lordship Salvation slant, though.
Repentance is realizing our condition and turning to Christ...not repenting of sins.
That is a result of salvation, not a requirement for it (#3 on Havensdad's list).
Metanoia is not just turning to something. It implies a shift of mind FROM one thing, TO another. Repentance is turning FROM "sin and the World" TO Faith in Christ. You cannot have one, without the other, and the use of the Greek word "Metanoia" makes no sense, unless you are turning FROM something as well.
I agree that repenting of individual sins is a result of salvation, and more specifically, regeneration. But turning from sin and the world in general, unto faith in Christ, is "Repentance unto salvation."
And the scriptures are clear on what those two opposing things are...
Rev 16:9
They were scorched by the fierce heat, and they cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues. They did not repent and give him glory.
Rev 16:10
The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in anguish
Rev 16:11
and cursed the God of heaven for their pain and sores. They did not repent of their deeds.
Here we see the thing repented TO, and the thing repented FROM.
It's about as worthless as can be. Get saved, then try to follow the Ten commandments. That will shut up your faith quicker than anything. They do little for the Kingdom.
Hmmm...I sense that you don't care for the method. :tonofbricks: Not sure why you have such hostility towards it though. Why be so antagonistic towards something designed to help people see their need for Jesus? People must realize they are sinners before they see their need for a Saviour.
It's a Kingdom message, not a salvation one, though heaven is the destination, it's not why we are Christians. We are Christians to manifest Jesus in the physical, supernatu:jesus:rally thumping the devil. Yahoo for Jesus!