Comments on: Evangelism or “Social Gospel”? http://preachermike.com/2007/01/03/evangelism-or-social-gospel Sniffing out the work of God in the world... Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:17:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Toby Wilson http://preachermike.com/2007/01/03/evangelism-or-social-gospel#comment-40061 Toby Wilson Fri, 12 Jan 2007 18:24:06 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2007/01/03/evangelism-or-social-gospel#comment-40061 Mike, Great post! A few years ago I read something on the Lord's Prayer (I cant' remember now who wrote it or what exactly it was) but it made me realize that we prayer for all that stuff (honoring God's Name, Kingdom expansion, and the doing of God's will) to happen HEAR ON EARTH! Wow! I don't know how, but I had always skipped to the Heaven part and didn't realize that Heaven was simply the example of what God wants life here on Earth to be. If we would have Heaven on Earth, then we must act on Earth, we must love on Earth, we must sacrificially serve those in need on Earth, and to earnestly seek the end we pray for, teach others to do these things (that is, make disciples) on Earth. Thanks for a great thought that made my day! Mike,

Great post! A few years ago I read something on the Lord’s Prayer (I cant’ remember now who wrote it or what exactly it was) but it made me realize that we prayer for all that stuff (honoring God’s Name, Kingdom expansion, and the doing of God’s will) to happen HEAR ON EARTH! Wow! I don’t know how, but I had always skipped to the Heaven part and didn’t realize that Heaven was simply the example of what God wants life here on Earth to be. If we would have Heaven on Earth, then we must act on Earth, we must love on Earth, we must sacrificially serve those in need on Earth, and to earnestly seek the end we pray for, teach others to do these things (that is, make disciples) on Earth.

Thanks for a great thought that made my day!

]]> By: preacher man http://preachermike.com/2007/01/03/evangelism-or-social-gospel#comment-38275 preacher man Thu, 04 Jan 2007 14:41:16 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2007/01/03/evangelism-or-social-gospel#comment-38275 Kathy, Thank you so much for your prayers it means so much. Kathy,
Thank you so much for your prayers it means so much.

]]> By: Kathy http://preachermike.com/2007/01/03/evangelism-or-social-gospel#comment-38165 Kathy Thu, 04 Jan 2007 04:20:53 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2007/01/03/evangelism-or-social-gospel#comment-38165 Preacherman - I continue to give thanks to our LORD for His mercy in bringing you back to us and am praying for your continued improvement! Preacherman - I continue to give thanks to our LORD for His mercy in bringing you back to us and am praying for your continued improvement!

]]> By: preacher man http://preachermike.com/2007/01/03/evangelism-or-social-gospel#comment-38158 preacher man Thu, 04 Jan 2007 03:46:42 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2007/01/03/evangelism-or-social-gospel#comment-38158 Steve Jr., Thanks brother and God bless your ministry. Steve Jr.,
Thanks brother and God bless your ministry.

]]> By: paul http://preachermike.com/2007/01/03/evangelism-or-social-gospel#comment-38081 paul Wed, 03 Jan 2007 23:43:11 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2007/01/03/evangelism-or-social-gospel#comment-38081 We have to take it to the world. We can't just sit back and wait for them to come ask us about the "Gospel"! It needs to be so real in our lives that they see it in us every day. We have to take it to the world. We can’t just sit back and wait for them to come ask us about the “Gospel”! It needs to be so real in our lives that they see it in us every day.

]]> By: ScottyG http://preachermike.com/2007/01/03/evangelism-or-social-gospel#comment-38056 ScottyG Wed, 03 Jan 2007 20:53:03 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2007/01/03/evangelism-or-social-gospel#comment-38056 Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount tells us in a most beautiful way that the intention of the law was for the benefit of the SERVANT rather than to provide service to those less fortunate than ourselves- although a great side benefit! Application of compassion and mercy were forsaken for strict adherence to the law, thus all service became hypocrisy. Jesus called us to be a loving, caring, compassionate, forgiving, giving, humble people and evangelism is an unavoidable result of that kind of living. If I help the poor quietly without blowing my horn or seeking acknowledgment from others, that builds my relationship with God to a much greater extent than the benefits to those whom I have helped. Praise can be given to God, not me, not my congregation, not my affiliation - only God. Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount tells us in a most beautiful way that the intention of the law was for the benefit of the SERVANT rather than to provide service to those less fortunate than ourselves- although a great side benefit! Application of compassion and mercy were forsaken for strict adherence to the law, thus all service became hypocrisy.
Jesus called us to be a loving, caring, compassionate, forgiving, giving, humble people and evangelism is an unavoidable result of that kind of living. If I help the poor quietly without blowing my horn or seeking acknowledgment from others, that builds my relationship with God to a much greater extent than the benefits to those whom I have helped. Praise can be given to God, not me, not my congregation, not my affiliation - only God.

]]> By: rinn http://preachermike.com/2007/01/03/evangelism-or-social-gospel#comment-38053 rinn Wed, 03 Jan 2007 20:36:20 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2007/01/03/evangelism-or-social-gospel#comment-38053 Jesus said "go into all the world....... teaching them to obey all that I have comanded you." I am not a scholar of any sort and certainly not a biblical scholar, but what did Jesus comand? Love the Lord, love your neighbor, be a good Semaritan, obey Gods laws... These all deal with the way we treat people. I may be missing the point of this thread but isn't that the purpose for which we exist? To treat others as they ought to be treated and in doing so showing them the love of Christ in us! It is a trueism that when people are treated with respect and dignity they inturn will treat others the same. If we treat people this way continuealy, especialy those who are not used to such treatment, the time will come when they ask WHY. Then we will have the oppertunity to say simply because Jesus Christ loves us so we also ought to love others. Jesus said “go into all the world……. teaching them to obey all that I have comanded you.” I am not a scholar of any sort and certainly not a biblical scholar, but what did Jesus comand? Love the Lord, love your neighbor, be a good Semaritan, obey Gods laws…
These all deal with the way we treat people. I may be missing the point of this thread but isn’t that the purpose for which we exist? To treat others as they ought to be treated and in doing so showing them the love of Christ in us! It is a trueism that when people are treated with respect and dignity they inturn will treat others the same.
If we treat people this way continuealy, especialy those who are not used to such treatment, the time will come when they ask WHY. Then we will have the oppertunity to say simply because Jesus Christ loves us so we also ought to love others.

]]> By: Trey Morgan http://preachermike.com/2007/01/03/evangelism-or-social-gospel#comment-38052 Trey Morgan Wed, 03 Jan 2007 19:20:26 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2007/01/03/evangelism-or-social-gospel#comment-38052 We put so much emphasis on church as something that you go and do at a building that we have forgotten what church really is. When we rediscover what church really is we don’t find a building or even a place, but a person. Jesus. What we discover is that as His followers he calls US to be HIS church. And when we discover what Jesus intended His church to be, we find that His church is all about people. People who demonstrate their love for God by loving and serving other people (Matthew 25:34-46). We put so much emphasis on church as something that you go and do at a building that we have forgotten what church really is. When we rediscover what church really is we don’t find a building or even a place, but a person. Jesus.

What we discover is that as His followers he calls US to be HIS church. And when we discover what Jesus intended His church to be, we find that His church is all about people. People who demonstrate their love for God by loving and serving other people (Matthew 25:34-46).

]]> By: David Dallas http://preachermike.com/2007/01/03/evangelism-or-social-gospel#comment-38050 David Dallas Wed, 03 Jan 2007 17:40:52 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2007/01/03/evangelism-or-social-gospel#comment-38050 A scripture that we have seemed to have difficulty in applying is Matt. 25:34-46. Actually that is true more so in individual churches here and there. The church has a whole is doing a lot in this regard. Richard, I don't know of John Allen Chalk dealing with racial issues--but I do know that in the fall of 1962 ACU was still a buzz because of the speech Carl Spain delivered at the ACU lectures condemning enrolling Black students from outside the U.S. but dening entry to American Black students. He dealt with the entire racial issue as well. I was transferring into ACU after graduating from York College where I had experienced fellow black students from U.S. as well as students from Somoa--so I was shocked to realize that such prejudice had been practiced at ACU. I believe that we need to stop equating the existence of congregations that are predominantly white or black meaning that there is a racial problem. We can and have learned a lot about worship from our vlack brothers but we try to integrate the two together in a congregation--a lot of culture is lost--expecially black culture. Lets face it whites can not sing like our black brethren--genetics you know. I cannot and will not say that they are racist if they prefer to worship with those of their cultural background. They always welcome others to their worship when they attend just as we do if they attend our worship services. We can never have a color blind society--we can and do see the differences in the various races when we encounter them in our daily activities. The real concern is: Do when treat as our God wants us to? A scripture that we have seemed to have difficulty in applying is Matt. 25:34-46. Actually that is true more so in individual churches here and there. The church has a whole is doing a lot in this regard.

Richard, I don’t know of John Allen Chalk dealing with racial issues–but I do know that in the fall of 1962 ACU was still a buzz because of the speech Carl Spain delivered at the ACU lectures condemning enrolling Black students from outside the U.S. but dening entry to American Black students.
He dealt with the entire racial issue as well.

I was transferring into ACU after graduating from York College where I had experienced fellow black students from U.S. as well as students from Somoa–so I was shocked to realize that such prejudice had been practiced at ACU.

I believe that we need to stop equating the existence of congregations that are predominantly white or black meaning that there is a racial problem. We can and have learned a lot about worship from our vlack brothers but we try to integrate the two together in a congregation–a lot of culture is lost–expecially black culture. Lets face it whites can not sing like our black brethren–genetics you know.

I cannot and will not say that they are racist if they prefer to worship with those of their cultural background. They always welcome others to their worship when they attend just as we do if they attend our worship services.

We can never have a color blind society–we can and do see the differences in the various races when we encounter them in our daily activities. The real concern is: Do when treat as our God wants us to?

]]> By: beverly http://preachermike.com/2007/01/03/evangelism-or-social-gospel#comment-38048 beverly Wed, 03 Jan 2007 16:45:11 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2007/01/03/evangelism-or-social-gospel#comment-38048 Mike..sometimes I get a bit intimidated by the religious intellectuall conversations going on around me. An exegesus is revealed only to confuse me more. I then remember that Jesus came for the poor and the simple and that when man tries to bring it all into black in white terms it causes Jesus maybe to turn the tables over. "Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know." Job I know that Jesus died for me and I will be eternally grateful for the love and forgiveness and grace which He extends to me and out of that realization I can not hold back from trying to be his hands to all I meet and pour out the Good News to them.. Mike..sometimes I get a bit intimidated by the religious intellectuall conversations going on around me. An exegesus is revealed only to confuse me more. I then remember that Jesus came for the poor and the simple and that when man tries to bring it all into black in white terms it causes Jesus maybe to turn the tables over.

“Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me to know.” Job

I know that Jesus died for me and I will be eternally grateful for the love and forgiveness and grace which He extends to me and out of that realization I can not hold back from trying to be his hands to all I meet and pour out the Good News to them..

]]> By: Phil Wilson http://preachermike.com/2007/01/03/evangelism-or-social-gospel#comment-38046 Phil Wilson Wed, 03 Jan 2007 16:41:14 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2007/01/03/evangelism-or-social-gospel#comment-38046 Thanks for this, Mike. I hope that more people become exposed to the great thinking of NT Wright who has effected my faith more in the last two years than anyone besides Jesus. And Simply Christian is one of the best of his, although the Challenge of Jesus is really strong as well. Thanks for this, Mike. I hope that more people become exposed to the great thinking of NT Wright who has effected my faith more in the last two years than anyone besides Jesus.

And Simply Christian is one of the best of his, although the Challenge of Jesus is really strong as well.

]]> By: Joel G. Quile http://preachermike.com/2007/01/03/evangelism-or-social-gospel#comment-38044 Joel G. Quile Wed, 03 Jan 2007 16:32:13 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2007/01/03/evangelism-or-social-gospel#comment-38044 "That has always been at the heart of the Lord’s Prayer, and how we’ve managed for years to say the Lord’s Prayer without realizing that Jesus really meant it is very curious" I can think of other words besides "curious" I am quite convicted. Thanks Mike (& N.T.) “That has always been at the heart of the Lord’s Prayer, and how we’ve managed for years to say the Lord’s Prayer without realizing that Jesus really meant it is very curious”

I can think of other words besides “curious”

I am quite convicted.

Thanks Mike (& N.T.)

]]> By: Steve Jr. http://preachermike.com/2007/01/03/evangelism-or-social-gospel#comment-38042 Steve Jr. Wed, 03 Jan 2007 15:43:42 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2007/01/03/evangelism-or-social-gospel#comment-38042 Preacher Man, I think we're on the same page (and you with Mike). What Wright, Mike, myself, and others are suggesting is a broadening of what it means to "evangelize." In the past, it's meant spewing information about Jesus to people who may or may not be ready to receive it. I think we need to begin seeing "evangelism" (I don't really like that word...) more as living out the way of Jesus -- unconditionally -- and being ready to describe our hope when opportunities arise. The other issue here is a theological one. The "worldview" that stresses evangelism (the presentation of propositional truths about Jesus, primarily) first and foremost is primarily one that emphasizes the soul's final resting place the "point" of Christianity. It's about getting souls into Heaven. I certainly want souls to be in Heaven, but I have ascribed to a theology supported by Wright and others that says that the "point" is really about the work of God to redeem the cosmos, and that his work in us is to restore our true humanity, as He created us in the Garden. In this theology, Christians aren't just hanging on for dear life until they die and go to Heaven or Jesus returns ... they are actively pursuing the things that God is pursuing, namely the redemption of all things and the restoration of relationships. This makes how we treat the environment an issue. It makes pursuing "freedom for the captives" an issue. It makes personal regeneration and transformation an issue. It's not "evangelism" or "social justice" -- it's all of the above. Not all will immediately throw in with this theology, but I think it's the most scripturally supported description of the story of God. For a much better description of this way of looking at Scripture, God, Christ, the Church, and the world, you must read <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Simply-Christian-Christianity-Makes-Sense/dp/0060507152" rel="nofollow">Simply Christian</a></i> by N.T. Wright. He describes it masterfully, and he even has a couple marvelous chapters on justice (including Chapter 1)! Preacher Man,
I think we’re on the same page (and you with Mike). What Wright, Mike, myself, and others are suggesting is a broadening of what it means to “evangelize.” In the past, it’s meant spewing information about Jesus to people who may or may not be ready to receive it. I think we need to begin seeing “evangelism” (I don’t really like that word…) more as living out the way of Jesus — unconditionally — and being ready to describe our hope when opportunities arise.

The other issue here is a theological one. The “worldview” that stresses evangelism (the presentation of propositional truths about Jesus, primarily) first and foremost is primarily one that emphasizes the soul’s final resting place the “point” of Christianity. It’s about getting souls into Heaven. I certainly want souls to be in Heaven, but I have ascribed to a theology supported by Wright and others that says that the “point” is really about the work of God to redeem the cosmos, and that his work in us is to restore our true humanity, as He created us in the Garden. In this theology, Christians aren’t just hanging on for dear life until they die and go to Heaven or Jesus returns … they are actively pursuing the things that God is pursuing, namely the redemption of all things and the restoration of relationships. This makes how we treat the environment an issue. It makes pursuing “freedom for the captives” an issue. It makes personal regeneration and transformation an issue. It’s not “evangelism” or “social justice” — it’s all of the above.

Not all will immediately throw in with this theology, but I think it’s the most scripturally supported description of the story of God. For a much better description of this way of looking at Scripture, God, Christ, the Church, and the world, you must read Simply Christian by N.T. Wright. He describes it masterfully, and he even has a couple marvelous chapters on justice (including Chapter 1)!

]]> By: kyle http://preachermike.com/2007/01/03/evangelism-or-social-gospel#comment-38041 kyle Wed, 03 Jan 2007 15:41:45 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2007/01/03/evangelism-or-social-gospel#comment-38041 The distinction Wright refers to certainly does seem to be our obsession. It is amazing how shallowly we have trained ourselves to think and read. The distinction Wright refers to certainly does seem to be our obsession. It is amazing how shallowly we have trained ourselves to think and read.

]]> By: preacher man http://preachermike.com/2007/01/03/evangelism-or-social-gospel#comment-38040 preacher man Wed, 03 Jan 2007 15:24:16 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2007/01/03/evangelism-or-social-gospel#comment-38040 Mike, I believe we should be reaching the lost, making disciples, being the kingdom of God on earth is what we have been called to be. Evangislm is a must. The questions I have are have the "restoration movement" neglected the Holy Spirit in helping us evanglize? Have we neglected our gifts? The gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11? Have we desired and longed for those gifts that are helpful for evanglism? What do you think? If we use the Holy Spirit and gifts then won't evangilsm and revival follow? Mike,
I believe we should be reaching the lost, making disciples, being the kingdom of God on earth is what we have been called to be. Evangislm is a must. The questions I have are have the “restoration movement” neglected the Holy Spirit in helping us evanglize? Have we neglected our gifts? The gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11? Have we desired and longed for those gifts that are helpful for evanglism? What do you think?

If we use the Holy Spirit and gifts then won’t evangilsm and revival follow?

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