The Vibrant Context of Evangelism

I understand that I have been very quiet on this blog and for that I must apologize.  With that being stated, I am going to start a series on Evangelism that could last a very long time.  I am unqualified to write on such a topic, but I pray that God would give me grace to do so and that He would be glorified through this leaky vessel’s work.  I am a sinner in desperate need for the grace of God.

What is the etymological root of “evangelism”?  “Evangelize” comes from the Greek work “euangelion” which means “object of good news.”  To evangelize is to share one’s object of good news.  I purpose this short essay and its ensuing series to the labor of showing some weaknesses in the modern construction of evangelism and to cultivate a more accurate, biblical and authentic view of evagelism, encouraging Christians to love their Savior more. 

So, what does it mean to evangelize? The Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 4:9-16:

“(In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? [1]  He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)  And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds [2] and teachers, [3] to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, [4] to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.  Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.”

 Scripture makes it clear that one should seek love, because all other things lack purpose without it (1 Corinthians 13) and verse 15 sums up the whole of what evangelism is:  Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.  Let the Evangel, the object of your good news, Christ and Him crucified, flow off your lips like honey dripping from the comb!  He is a crystal fountain that refreshes all that come and drink!  Christian, this includes non-believers, but do not let your gospel-izing end there!   Evangelism is your witness of Christ in all of your life and actions.  Do not be fooled, your brothers and sisters need to hear this gospel and partake of this wellspring of hope and you need to as well.   A Christian is called to be the fragrance of death to death and of life to life and the gospel is the perfume that fragrance originates from.  Evangelism is the upwelling of an effervescent heart boiling over in its zeal for the glory of God.   It is a Christian’s worship. 

This is why we live: to magnify God’s glory and to enjoy Him forever.  This is to worship God.  How does one worship God?  By loving God.  How does one love God?  By having a relationship with Him.  How does one have this relationship with Him?  The gospel!  The gospel is the focus of a Christian’s knowledge, existence and affections, informing and underlying all his life.

Evangelism is near the root of the Christian life.  It informs the affections and quickens them to love God. It informs the actions and enlivens them to witness to the greatness of God.  Even at the bottom, the Bible is the gospel and through evangelism we proclaim the gospel.  But this is not how modern theologians view evangelism.  They focus on speaking the truth in love with your lips to unbelievers.  This problem is at the root of many bad books, ineffective sermons and failing ministries. You must proclaim the gospel to everyone, including believers. 

A misunderstanding of either the Evangel or the concept of evangelism is at the root of misapplied, misinformed and mishandled evangelism.  Let it be clear that if one does excel at this modern interpretation of evangelism, please do not defer from it. Add to it in proportion to the grace that God gives you to do so.  Do not stop preaching the good news to the lost; it is biblical when viewed as as specific part of the broader context of evangelism.   During this series, I plan to intentionally cultivate a more biblical view of evangelism in my own life and place my thoughts on this blog.

Here are three questions I will answer: 

1)      Why does one evangelize?

2)      How does one evangelize?

3)      To whom does one evangelize and what might that look like?

Any comments are welcome and highly anticipated/encouraged as this is a learning process for me and constructive criticism is highly needed.  Thanks for your time and I hope that God would fill you with His Spirit to make you love Him more everyday and resolve to know nothing less that Christ and Him crucified. 

Soli Deo Gloria.

TagsEvangelism, Jonathan, Kelfer, Series, Theology