Evangelism
The Problem with Your Personal Testimony
Not long ago philosopher Richard Rorty said that our private feelings about God do not belong in the public square.
Only appeals to argument that are universal belong.
I agree. I sort of agree. Let me explain.
In Rorty’s mind, religion is private. Emotive. Internal. Religion is an appeal to what gets me out of bed. What floats my boat.
Unfortunately, these are not claims to objective truth.
Rather, they’re claims to private feelings. Individual experiences.
Much like a personal testimony. And while personal testimonies are wonderful. They’re not the gospel.
Listen. The world is full of personal testimonies. Here are just 3 examples:
1. Writer James Frey asserts he overcame a degenerate, drug-infested lifestyle through sheer will power.
2. Advocates of The Secret believe they’ve learned how to turn weakness and suffering into power and abundance.
3. And followers of Deepak Chopra claim they’ve recovered from emotional and physical pain through meditation.
In the end, if all we relied upon was our personal testimony to defend the truth of Christianity, you know what you’d have? A lot of noise.
Bottom Line: What Is at Stake
You are not a Christian because of your personal testimony. And no one will become a Christian through your personal testimony.
Christianity is NOT about what Christ did in your life. It’s greater than that.
Christianity is a claim to historical truth. And that claim to truth is this: Over 2,000 years ago God became a zygote in a teenage girls womb. And she gave birth to that boy–Jesus–blood and all.
Thirty-three years later, after a wild and woolly rabbinical ministry, a man named Pontius Pilate–a man who if not for the gospels would’ve been left in historical obscurity–sentenced Jesus to death.
Jesus–a man not only born of a woman but also cataloged as a Roman citizen during Augustus’ census in 3 B. C.–perished on a wooden cross.
And it was his bodily resurrection from the dead that Paul referred to when he told Agrippa:
For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner.
In other words, Christianity is about the historical existence of an empty tomb. And we are staking everything on that empty tomb.
That means Christianity can be overthrown.
Thus, this is the evidence we offer to prove that Christianity is true. It’s the evidence we should offer when someone asks us, “Why are you a Christian? And why do you think Christianity is true?”
And that is the appropriate, objective evidence for your belief to bring into the public square. It might be a bad argument. But it’s a genuine act of sharing your faith. And an act that people genuinely must wrestle with.
An Open Letter to Skeptics
Dear Skeptic,
I apologize for not writing sooner, but I wanted this to be a meaningful response. Not one kicked out in an hour.
See, you level–like many others before you–a serious accusation at Christians that’s worth a deliberate, thoughtful reply.
A reply that evaluates every inch of your accusation…addresses the perception behind this accusation…and then corrects it.
Why Am I Doing This?
I think it may help you understand us a little better, because we’re all here to understand each other, right?
Well, let’s see how I do.
First, the Accusation
What is the accusation I’m talking about? Nothing more than we Christians like to change the subject on you.
Now, I confess: We do. At least I do. And I’ll tell you why in a minute. But right now I want to explore something else…
I want to unpack your perception of why you believe we change the subject. Tell me if I get it right.
See, you accuse Christians of changing the subject and suggest the reason why is that we can’t answer your objections.
Perhaps this is true in some circumstances. But let me suggest another option:
We change subjects because it’s pointless.
At some point in our discussion–and I’ve seen these struggles between believers and skeptics long enough to know when it’s happening–we have to draw the line and say this person isn’t open to an earnest conversation.
He isn’t interested in my beliefs…he’s looking for a fight.
Or he’s looking to get his kicks from making Christians stumble. Or maybe he’s simply looking for a platform to display his arrangement of arguments and sophisticated intelligence. In the end, he’s just looking to snub and ridicule another person’s beliefs.
How Do I Know Your Motivation?
It’s easy to see. So often you’re asking the right questions. Questions like, “Is there eternal life? Did Jesus rise from the dead? What do I need to do to be saved?”
But unfortunately, you’re not looking to understand our position. You’re looking for a soft spot. And when you think you find that soft spot–you punch it…
You demand we give you a systematic explanation that satisfies you. We explain, you find another soft spot–and punch that one. Ad infinitum.
The sad thing is you’ve already answered those questions for yourself–in the negative, which is fine–but now you demand Christians intellectually gratify you.
Sorry. But we’re not obligated to do that.
This Is All We’re Obligated to Do
All we’re obligated to do is deliver a clear, graceful articulation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. To warn you of the consequences of rejecting that gospel. And to alert you to the danger of bowing down to men like Einstein, Aristotle or Plato.
Men who scientifically, logically and philosophically can walk circles around most Christians like me. But men who are morally inferior to the conquering Messiah.
The conquering Messiah who existed before time. Who walked on the earth. Who died. And who rose from the dead [Warning: PDF].
Indeed, I wish I had the stamina and intellectual resources to answer your every objection. But thank God, I’m not obligated to do that.
I do try to evaluate each discussion. Answer honest objections. Discern the the sincerity of each question: Are they seeking? Or are they looking for a fight?
If it’s the latter, then it’s pointless to argue. It’s pointless because you are dead to the truth. Blind to reason. And doomed to stumble in intellectual darkness.
And it’s only the gospel that will pry your eyes open.
If you accuse me of being insane, irrational or simply naive, so be it. I glory in that accusation…in that association with the risen Christ.
Why I Change Subjects on You
Furthermore, when I change the subject on you, it doesn’t mean I can’t answer the question. More than likely it just means the subject you want to fight over is peripheral. And I won’t squander emotional equity on peripheral arguments.
Yet the subject I want to shift the conversation to–the wrath of God appeased on the cross of Christ–is the real issue.
And the issue I’m willing to die for.
It’s like fighting over the color of the seats while the plane is going down in flames. Let’s land this wreckage first then squabble over what remains. [Forgive me. I'm terribly pragmatic.]
I Won’t Neglect This to Satisfy You
Listen: I do have a biblical obligation to give a defense of my faith. To explain why I believe what I believe. Especially to those who come in a posture of humility–whether fans or opponents of the faith.
But I’m not obligated to gratify antagonistic, self-righteous opponents of the Cross. Christ didn’t. And I won’t.
Neither am I required to appease your moral shock or intellectual grievance over my beliefs. This is simply part of the territory. The Bible plainly states:
Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense [1]…but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles [2].
If I do try to fight…if I do try to answer your every objection…we will go around in circles. And I’ll neglect the most precious, joyful privilege I’ll ever have: Confessing Christ and explaining the law of the cross.
Understand, I’m horribly self-conscious about this letter. That I missed an angle. Or flubbed a point. But I hope at least I’ve edged our understanding of each other an inch in the right direction.
If not more.
I’m confident you’ll let me know if I did. Or didn’t. That being the nature of this type of communication. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Demian Farnworth
P.S. Please, share your thoughts. Brutal and all.
6 Excuses We Use to Avoid Sharing Our Faith
Sharing the gospel is no picnic, readers. And once the slightest snub arrives, the dream of leading someone to Christ ends.
And the excuses begin.
Here are six perennial–but pernicious–favorites. With a few pieces of advice on how to overcome them stuffed in between.
1. We quote Assisi. Francis of Assisi said, “Preach the gospel at all times and when necessary use words.” The preeminent license to keep your mouth shut when God urges you to open it. Sometimes heard in tandem with any one of the following…
2. We must meet their physical needs first. Granted, there is some truth to this statement, but…most of us don’t live near remote, drought-wasted Ethiopian villages. Or among Cambodians who drink the same water cows defecate and decay in. We’re talkin’ about your neighbor. Who probably makes more money than you.
3. We don’t want to be weird. What we actually mean is, we don’t want to be rejected because man’s approval means more to us than God’s. [Also, see no. 6 for a possible reason why we might feel this way.]
4. We’re too busy. This IS my quintessential excuse. “Must finish the lawn before the storm. Must pick up the pizza before it cools. Must towel dry the dog before she shakes.” Pathetic when unbelieving neighbors or strangers linger nearby.
5. We don’t know enough. I’ve tried my best to eliminate this excuse for you with posts on the Messiah, the Gospel, the Cross. The simplest remedy? Read your bible. And open your mouth.
6. We don’t believe the gospel can do what it says it can do. If you fall into this category, the question is…do you even trust the Bible? You must bone up on the teachings of Christ. And examine your faith, to see that it is anchored in the right place.
Did I miss any? Add any you’ve heard in the comments below.
Here’s the deal: I’ve used–and still use–all six to one degree or another. And I will continue to do so. The quest is to do it less. And less…
So that at some point the only thing that comes out of my mouth is a clear, graceful articulation of the gospel…and not some excuse.
**Part of The Curmudgeon’s Guide to Sharing Your Faith series.**
The Gospel [in 10 words or less]
What is the Gospel? It’s merely this: Peace with God through the blood of Jesus Christ.
Granted, that’s a back-of-the-napkin summary. So much to unpack. But that’s the essence. It’s Immanuel, “Peace with God,” that began with the birth of Jesus Christ.
And that’s what I need to return to. Day in. And day out. It’s not about logic. Or apologetics. Or philosophy. Or language. Or arguments.
It’s about the Gospel.
It’s about the proclamation of escape from the judgment of God through his son.
It’s about recognition of the the enormous wrath building up against me in my constant and near-incorrigible bent to rebel.
And it’s about God’s mercy irresistibly plowing me into a humble posture of submission.
Screw it if people mock me. If people plead with me to change my mind. Screw it if people frame me as a poster child for stupidity.
I can say nothing more than, “So be it.” Christ compels me.
And woe is me if I don’t make this announcement of the Gospel. If I swerve from the truth. If I try to accommodate or compromise the Gospel.
Woe is me if I waffle in fear. In insecurity. In pride. In pursuit of a man or woman’s approval. In pursuit of blog readers. Page views. Incoming links.
In pursuit of fame, friends or family.
Regardless if the virgin birth is mocked. Regardless if the resurrection is ridiculed. Regardless if Christianity is compared to fairy tales.
It doesn’t change the truth locked up in the historical, sinless life, death and resurrection of Jesus Chris.
The truth that we no longer need to be at odds with God.
The truth now unlocked for my own life. The truth of the grace of God bending outward to you. In the reality of the love of God. In the reality of the purpose of God to forgive a foolish, wicked people.
In the reality of peace with God through the blood of Jesus Christ. The Gospel. The Good News. The narrative of redemption.
It’s a purposeful, planned neglect of everything but Jesus Christ. That’s what I need to return to. The Gospel. Day in. Day out. You?
The Unflinching Solution to Spiritual Blindness
**Part of the 10 Hard Truths about Being Born Again series**
People who reject Christ are blind.
“In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:4
In the last several weeks I’ve seen this truth come to life over and over again.
In a sense, it grieves me. And in another, it humbles me.
It grieves me because I so bad want the light to shine in their hearts so unbelievers see Christ.
It humbles me because I can’t do anything about it.
Only a work of God can open their eyes. Only a work of God can give them life. Only a work of God causes the human heart to see the truth and beauty and worth and glory of Christ.
That work is called the new birth. And it has nothing to do with my desire. Or my effort. Yet…
In Acts 26, speaking to Paul, Jesus says, “I am sending you to open their eyes.” The solution to spiritual blindness is plain: God opens the eyes of the blind through people who share the good news with love.
People like Al. Ryan Karpeles. Daniel Wilson. Richard DeVeau. Don at You See Dry Bones. Nathan Bliss. Emily Schankweiler.
People who–in spite of rejection and ridicule–boldly proclaim the worth, the glory and the way of Christ.
I want each and everyone of you to know that your support and your witness means the world to me. You encourage me. You cheer me on.
More importantly, you make me proud because people will be born again through the living and abiding word, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, you faithfully share.
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