Last week, I finished working with Bette Smyth, proof-reader and first-round editor on my next book, Evangelism: A Biblical Response to Today’s Questions. This is my third book with Biblica (the artist formerly known as Paternoster/Authentic), and third work with Bette. As always, it was a delight to work with her. She ain’t done nary a bad job, and always makes my english sound reel good.
This book grew out of a desire to provide a resource for an audience with little church background. I wanted to write something that would provide a solid biblical/theological foundation for understanding evangelism, and be practical as well. The challenge involved writing something that would be heavy on doctrine, yet not read like a systematic theology, and “how-to” in its nature, but not be another “canned” model for personal evangelism. The result is this book that revolves around thirty-three questions about the nature and practice of evangelism.
I want to provide you with a glimpse of this book. The following is an excerpt from the Introduction:
This book is part fictional conversations and part nonfictional instruction. But everything has been written to assist you in being better prepared to share the good news of Jesus with others. The conversations that run throughout this book are between two characters, Roberto and Mark, and my reflections on their interactions in light of the Scriptures.
We learn whenever we ask questions. Throughout my youth, I believe that I drove my pastors, teachers, and mentors crazy with my questions about the things of the Scriptures. The book that you hold in your hands is my attempt to respond to the most commonly asked questions related to evangelism. Some of these questions have come about in recent years; others have been asked by people across the centuries of church history.
In this book you will meet two fictional men—Roberto, a thirty-seven-year-old insurance agent who is married with two children, and Mark, a twenty-two-year-old university senior who is an anthropology major at the nearby university. Roberto has been a follower of Jesus for twenty years and Mark came to faith within the last year. Every Thursday evening these men meet at a local coffee shop to discuss matters related to the Christian life. Shortly after Mark was baptized, Roberto started mentoring him. For the past few months, their weekly conversations have revolved around Mark’s questions. Roberto thought this would be a good way to teach Mark the truths of the Bible, realizing that many people learn a great deal when they are allowed to ask their most pressing questions and then directed to Scripture for the answers.
This book is a glimpse into their world, a world that has been going on prior to our arrival. Each chapter begins with Roberto and Mark’s interaction. Their dialogue will introduce the topic of the chapter, and then I will address this topic from a biblical perspective. The heart of each chapter, and thus the purpose for this book, is to understand what the Bible has to say about various issues surrounding evangelism.
Now, I clearly recognize in recent days the notion of doctrine has caused some to think of that which is cold, stale, dry, and boring, something to be relegated to the dusty halls of ivory tower theological academia because it has no bearing on daily life. Such may be the case when we understand doctrine to be the whims and speculation of humanity’s traditions about Jesus and his church. But biblical doctrine, that which comes from the Scriptures, is exciting and provides nourishment for the follower of Jesus (1 Timothy 4:6). The apostle Paul wrote to Titus telling him that he should speak sound doctrine (Titus 2:1) and set an example before the other believers in his good deeds with “purity in doctrine.” Doctrine is a good thing. It is a vital thing to right living as a kingdom citizen. Without a foundation of biblical doctrine, we are tossed back and forth by the turbulent waves and winds of human reasoning (Ephesians 4:14), not standing firm on the faith once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3). Without doctrine, anything goes. Therefore, we will discover that Roberto and Mark’s conversations are filled with doctrinal issues that are far from boring.
I am also aware that the word evangelism may conjure up fear, guilt, and the thought of narrow-mindedness among some people. Contributing to this negative impression is the pluralism and secularism of our culture and the fact that the church has produced many poor examples of what it means to carry out the Great Commission. Despite the bad reputation that has developed around evangelism over the years, the church is a missional body comprised of kingdom citizens who by their very nature are missional (i.e., intentionally evangelistic in all they do). We are called to be his witnesses (Acts 1:8) and make disciples (i.e., Christ followers) of all peoples (Matthew 28:19), regardless of any ungodly impressions the world and church may have connected to evangelism. The communication of the good news of Jesus is about liberation and healing, salvation and abundant life, and restoration and peace. The world says such things are bad; God says they are good.
To help you get a better understanding of the details of the book, here are the chapter titles:
Chapter 1 What is evangelism anyway?
Chapter 2 What is the gospel?
Chapter 3 What is repentance?
Chapter 4 What is saving faith?
Chapter 5 What is conversion?
Chapter 6 Does conversion occur at a point in time or is it a lengthy process?
Chapter 7 What does it mean to be “born again”?
Chapter 8 What are people “saved” from?
Chapter 9 If God is in control, why do we need to share the gospel?
Chapter 10 What is Election?
Chapter 11 Does a Loving God Send People to Hell?
Chapter 12 What is the Role of Freewill in Salvation?
Chapter 13 What happens to the “man on the remote island” who never hears the gospel?
Chapter 14 What happens to children and the mentally disabled who die without having the ability to respond to the gospel?
Chapter 15 What is the role of the Holy Spirit in evangelism?
Chapter 16 What is the role of prayer in evangelism?
Chapter 17 Is there a gift of evangelism?
Chapter 18 What is lifestyle evangelism?
Chapter 19 What should I share in a personal evangelism situation?
Chapter 20 What if I do not feel like sharing the gospel?
Chapter 21 Do I have to offend people when I share the gospel?
Chapter 22 What if I make a mistake when sharing the gospel?
Chapter 23 What do I do if someone asks me a question I can’t answer?
Chapter 24 Am I being disobedient because I do not do cold-call evangelism?
Chapter 25 What should I do if my church is not evangelistic?
Chapter 26 What if I can’t memorize all of those Bible verses for sharing my faith?
Chapter 27 What is the “Sinner’s Prayer”?
Chapter 28 How do I begin talking to people about spiritual matters?
Chapter 29 What is the best way to witness to a family member or close friend?
Chapter 30 After I have shared the gospel with someone, must I always bring up the topic in all of our future conversations?
Chapter 31 What do I do if someone tells me they want to follow Jesus?
Chapter 32 What do I do if someone tells me they don’t want to follow Jesus?
Chapter 33 What if I did not act very Christlike when sharing the Gospel?
I hope to keep you posted when the book is released in a few months. Stay tuned.
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Dear J.D.
thanks for letting us know about your latest book. I like the idea to think about Evangelism in todays context and also about the fact as stated in one of the endorsements: “Evangelism has two aspects it is timeless and timely”
As I have not read the book just the chapter headings I was wondering if it is written with the “Western Christian” in mind who wants to reach out to people from his own culture. What about those migrants that are living on our door steps? I believe the message is the same but the way we deliver it is different(contextualisation). To address issues like ” born again” in a Hindu context is quite different then in a western context. You know what I mean. I was just curios to find out if it is also written also with the perspective in mind how to share the gospel with people of other faith. I believe this is the context where we are living right now and it will increase as the world will become more and more border-less and as people are on the move.
anyway thanks for your ministry and the work you are doing also for the people on the move
blessings
Thomas Hieber
Thomas, I appreciate your comment. Thank you. And thank you for your word of encouragement.
The book is written to those who have little theological foundation when it comes to evangelism. It is a book that is heavy on doctrine, yet without reading like a systematic theology (In fact, I have a running fictional narrative that shows up at the beginning of each chapter.). The book moves from the doctrine to the practical. I do not advocate a “canned” approach to evangelism. Rather, I address concepts and principles, and then try to guide the reader in making application (contextualizing) to their situations. So, in this sense, it is written to a general audience with the general notion of evangelism in mind. It is not a book on apologetics or sharing with peoples of specific faith traditions. Take care.
J. D.
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