Thread: On the Importance of Christian Scholarship in Evangelism
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On the Importance of Christian Scholarship in Evangelism
Posted : 20 Oct, 2013 01:38 PM
The Necessity of Scholarship in Evangelism
" �If salvation depends upon the message in which Christ is offered as Saviour, it is obviously important that we should get the message straight. That is where Christian scholarship comes in. Christian scholarship is important in order that we may tell the story of Jesus and his love straight and full and plain.
At this point, indeed, an objection may arise. Is not the gospel a very simple thing, it may be asked; and will not its simplicity be obscured by too much scholarly research? The objection springs from a false view of what scholarship is; it springs from the notion that scholarship leads a man to be obscure. Exactly the reverse is the case. Ignorance is obscure; but scholarship brings order out of confusion, places things in their logical relations, and makes the message shine forth clear.
There are, indeed, evangelists who are not scholars, but scholarship is necessary to evangelism all the same. In the first place, though there are evangelists who are not scholars, the greatest evangelists, like the Apostle Paul and like Martin Luther, have been scholars. In the second place, the evangelists who are not scholars are dependent upon scholars to help them get their message straight; it is out of a great underlying fund of Christian learning that true evangelism springs.
That is something that the Church of our day needs to take to heart. Life, according to the New Testament, is founded upon truth; and the attempt to reverse the order results only in despair and in spiritual death. Let us not deceive ourselves, my friends. Christian experience is necessary to evangelism; but evangelism does not consist merely in the rehearsal of what has happened in the evangelist�s own soul. We shall, indeed, be but poor witnesses for Christ if we can tell only what Christ has done for the world or for the Church and cannot tell what He has done personally for us. But we shall also be poor witnesses if we recount only the experiences of our own lives. Christian evangelism does not consist merely in a man�s going about the world saying: �Look at me, what a wonderful experience I have, how happy I am, what wonderful Christian virtues I exhibit; you can all be as good and as happy as I am if you will just make a complete surrender of your wills in obedience to what I say.� That is what many religious workers seem to think that evangelism is. We can preach the gospel, they tell us, by our lives, and do not need to preach it by our words. But they are wrong. Men are not saved by the exhibition of our glorious Christian virtues; they are not saved by the contagion of our experiences. We cannot be the instruments of God in saving them if we preach to them thus only ourselves. Nay, we must preach to them the Lord Jesus Christ; for it is only through the gospel which sets Him forth that they can be saved."
J. Gresham Machen, Education, Christianity & the State, pp. 20-21
On the Importance of Christian Scholarship in Evangelism
Posted : 20 Oct, 2013 06:50 PM
Take a look at this thread. It looks the same as just about every other. Please notice that I posted an article on the importance of scholarship in evangelism. Actually, I am not the author of this particular article but I think it makes some very good points.
* I agree and understand you did not write this friend, the article does make some very good points... and staying within this thread only there's not much to argue other than as I pointed out in my own personal experience in that we all have a testimony to share in a given moment to witness to someone. Mine is not fancy or scholarly but can God make it effective and a speak truth to a person? I say yes! God uses us to be witness's to lead the lost home to Him.
Now, please tell me how that doesn't aid in the cause of the Gospel? Tell me how I am "picking apart the small things of others here"
*What aid does our mighty God need from any of us? The good news of Christ who took our sin upon himself, suffered and died rose and fulfilling scripture and is our redeemer saviour...
"Use that wealth of knowledge you've gathered to evangelize the needy" Precisely what I do day in and day out. Am I getting paid for taking my time to write articles here? I am not. What I have been freely given, I freely give back -- knowledge and understanding.
*I like ya bro
"Back off a bit on the criticism and sarcasm dude" -- I don't have any desire to change my approach to false teachers or to those who mock, pervert, and reject the Word.
* Keep posting the works of others and no personal thoughts for discussion with the gang here and they will have nothing to go on except that you agree with the article and will agree or disagree
Bro, do you actually not see what I am enduring here to continue on this site? Honestly? Please review some of the threads if you aren't seeing it. I will be happy to go through
them with you.
* I see well enough and to be honest hate all the bantering and knocking others around, it's cheap and no good! Wishing for some peace and respect for others comments. We need to be teaching and learning together... I'm so danged sentimental huh?
On the Importance of Christian Scholarship in Evangelism
Posted : 20 Oct, 2013 07:13 PM
Yeah, right Teach ALL means ALL ---
Mark 1:5 And there went out unto him ALL the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were ALL baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.
Every single man, woman, and child in Judaea went out to him and was baptized.
John 8:2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and ALL the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
Every single man, woman, and child came to him.
Acts 22:15 For thou [Paul] shalt be his witness unto ALL MEN of what thou hast seen and heard.
Paul witnessed to every single man, woman, and child on the earth from the creation to the end of time.
Matthew 10:22 And ye shall be hated of ALL MEN for my name�s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Every single man, woman, and child on the earth hated them.
John 3:26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and ALL MEN come to him.
Every single man, woman, and child on the earth came to him.
And what about the rest of these verses?
Matthew 21:26 But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for ALL hold John as a prophet.
2 Corinthians 3:2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of ALL MEN
Romans 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of ALL MEN.18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with ALL MEN.
Romans 16:19 For your obedience is come abroad unto ALL MEN. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
Acts 21:28 Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth ALL MEN EVERY WHERE against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.
2 Timothy 3:9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto ALL MEN, as their�s also was.
2 Timothy 4:16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but ALL MEN forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
1 Timothy 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for ALL MEN.
3 John 1:12 Demetrius hath good report of ALL MEN, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.
Acts 4:21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for ALL MEN glorified God for that which was done.
Acts 2:45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to ALL MEN, as every man had need.
John 11:48 If we let him thus alone, ALL MEN will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.
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Teach said --"As for too big of words...not a problem for me; however, there are others that also read these posts that may not be native English speakers that you deter from growing in the Word."
Actually Teach, what deters people (native and non-native English speakers) from growing in the Word is the way that people like you pervert it, twist it, deny it, and reject it as you see fit.
Teach further asks: "Why utilize a 7 letter word when you could use a 3 letter word to convey the same thought?"
Cuz, "See Bob Run" doesn't usually do justice to Biblical ideas and concepts. Further, your desire to undermine me and my character continues to devolve and deteriorate into absolutely mindless arguments like this one.
On the Importance of Christian Scholarship in Evangelism
Posted : 20 Oct, 2013 07:54 PM
Isa 55:11
So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Rom 10:14-15,17
How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
On the Importance of Christian Scholarship in Evangelism
Posted : 20 Oct, 2013 07:56 PM
On the Importance of Christian Scholarship in Evangelism
***
Mark 16:14-16 (KJV)
14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
*** I'd say its purty important...of course...where ya get Scholard...:rolleyes:...is important also...there are all kinds of schools...some very excellent ones affiliated with specific denominations...others are on line...however...the best Scholarship in Evangelizing is the one that is taught and lead by the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD...Peter was a "unlearned" man...meaning not very smart...Acts 4:13
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus....and He...Peter is the 1st of the disciples (apostles) to recognize that Jesus is the messiah...all the other disciples (apostles) listed...walk...talked...and learned from Jesus also...SOooo.....yes...it is Very Important to be Scholard...I'd much rather say "Schooled" in Evangelisim...
On the Importance of Christian Scholarship in Evangelism
Posted : 21 Oct, 2013 07:08 AM
To have present day Calvinists advice about Evangelism is something like snails and turtles telling you how to win races.
The present Calvinistic churches include 4 Dutch Calvinstic churches which are about 95% people with Dutch heritage and are mainly limited to 5 areas in the USA which have Calvinistic schools. These 4 Dutch Calvinistic chuches have declined steadily about 20% in the past 20 years and only send evangelists to other Dutch Calvinistic churches.
Matthew 28:19,20: Jesus commands, "Therefore go and make disciples of **ALL** nations....teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you!" The present day Calvinistic churches have been by far the worst in keeping this Great Commission.
Acts 17:11: Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and EXAMINED the SCRIPTURES *EVERY DAY*!!
James 1:22,25: Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. **DO WHAT IT SAYS*...But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, *BUT DOING IT*--he will be blessed in what he does!!
God's born again saints don't need to memorize John Calvin' Institutes or the Westminster Confession They just need God's Word !!
Jesus commands, "Make disciples of *ALL NATIONS*...teaching them to **OBEY EVERYTHING** I have commanded you."
Luke 19:10: Jesus says, "The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost!!!" and "To make disciples of ***ALL*** nations!!" And not just to teach Calvinism to those with Dutch heritage.
I John 2:3-5: We know we have come to know Him {Jesus} **IF** we obey His commands. The man who says, "I know Him," but does not do what He commands is a liar and the truth is not in him. But **IF** anyone obeys His Word, God's love is truly made complete in him.
THE GREAT COMMISSION: Matthew 28:18-20: Jesus says, �All authority in heaven and on *EARTH has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of *ALL NATIONS*...teaching them to **OBEY EVERYTHING** I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very *END OF THE AGE*!�
Ephesians 4:11-16: It was He {Jesus} who gives some to be prophets, some to be EVANGELISTS, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.... Speakig the Truth in **LOVE**, we will in all things grow up into Him, who is the Head, that is Christ. From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament grows and builds itself up in **LOVE**, as each part does its work!
2 Timothy 3:16; 4:2: All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God my be thoroughly equipped for every good work...**PREACH THE WORD**; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction.
Acts 17:11: Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and EXAMINED the SCRIPTURES *EVERY DAY*!!
James 1:22: Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. **DO WHAT IT SAYS*...But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, *BUT DOING IT*--he will be blessed in what he does!!
