A number of things recently have caused me to write another cliche busting post about Evangelism. The quote from St. Francis of Assisi - “Preach the Gospel and if necessary use words.” is often presented as a good model for evangelism. When I Googled this quote, Bish came forth - here’s 6 thoughts from him about this quote.

So what were these number of things…

1. Last year James Webb spoke at BH from Romans 10 (in particular verse 17) and set about what I’m about to do in getting rid of this cliche. Also a guy called Jon Hobbs (formerly UCCF staff in Southampton, now a vicar in Uckfield) spoke at the last CU meeting, he said we need to live to gospel, but this is pointless unless we speak it as well.
2. A few weeks ago I was chatting to the youth minister at BH about this topic - he spoke about his experiences of other youth leaders teaching that “people become Christians when you give them hot chocolate”, as well as having debates with well known ‘youth people’ about the purpose of things like Hope 2008.
3. In the past at Sussex we have done evangelistic service through things like doing people’s washing up and giving out free hot chocolate - with a few exceptions the resulting conversations have rarely been helpful in directing people to Christ.

What does the Bible say?

Matt 5:16, 1Pet 2:12 - Good works cause people to give glory to God

Acts 9:36 - Tabitha is praised for her “good works and acts of charity”

Eph 2:10 - We were created for good works

Titus 3:8 - devote yourselves to good works

James 2:17 - Faith and Good Works are inseparable

Rom 10:17 - faith comes through hearing the word of Christ

What does this mean?

1. Christians are called to do ‘actions’, works of service, social action
2. Good works should bring glory to God and point people to Jesus
3. Works are a sign to unbelievers, but these need to go alongside words explaining the gospel

At EMA this year Tim Keller was clear that we need to contextualise the gospel, and a Christians we should be engaged in social action. However, when it came to this subject of words and actions he was clear (paraphrased by me):

“If you want to tell someone how to do something then you show them - like the school boy learning how to do up a tie, explaining it is hopeless, you need to demonstrate it! However, if you want to tell someone what somebody else has done, in history, then you need to tell them - with words!”

Mr. Keller is spot on, there’s no way you can explain an event in history, Sin and salvation simply by the way you live your life. Rather the truths of the gospel need to be presented and explained with words - at the very least.

Keller also recommended this sermon by Jonathan Edwards - Christian Charity (Deut. 15)…