Evangelism

Happy Birthday, ‘Ho’!

/ Dennis Griffith / 17 Comments

OK. I know. A lot of people don’t like Tony Campolo. A lot of my friends don’t like Tony Campolo. I know he’s  “too liberal”.  I know John MacArthur flatly states that Campolo “misses the central teaching of the Bible“.  I know he was once tried in ecclesaistical court for heresy. 

But still, you must admit, he can tell a great story!  And sometimes he makes a great point.

Watch the video above. Then tell me:

  1. Is there anything overtly theologically wrong in what he says?
  2. How does his example move you?
  3. Is this something you see would meet with Jesus’ approval?  How about the approval of the Aposte Paul, who, in Galatians 5.6, wrote: “…the only thing counts is Faith expressing itself through love.”?
  4. Would you want to be part of a chuch that does things like this?
  5. Ask yourself: How would the community around you respond to a church that does things like this?

 “When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices.”

Gospel in Word and/or Deed

/ Dennis Griffith / Leave a comment

 

For the past couple of days I’ve been involved in a discussion on Justin Taylor’s blog, Between Two Worlds.  The discussion was prompted when Justin posted a Tweeted quote from J.D. Greear:

“Preach the Gospel; if necessary, use words” is like saying: “Tell me your phone number, if necessary use digits.”

Greear’s clever and pithy defense of the importance of preaching and substantive evangelism is set up as opposite of the quote famously attributed to Francis of Assisi:

“Preach the Gospel, and if necessary use words.”

The original quote, whether by Francis or not, is intended to express the importance of Gospel-driven actions.  However, it is also a quote that has often been associated with those who promote a Social Gospel – an attempt to meet tangible needs, often with little or no concern for regeneration, conversion, or spiritual transformation.

The conversation includes people who both agree and disagree with Greear.  As one who wants to see both Word & Deed – who believes both Word & Deed are necessary to properly reflect the ministry of Christ and the Kingdom of God – I have really appreciated comments from all sides.

I will not restate my comments in this discussion in this post.  If you are interested, you can check them out for yourself.  But I will say, for those who choose to check it out, my comments are slanted toward one side of this discussion in a way that does not completely reflect my more holistic view.  But, when I first commented, one side far out-numbered the other.

To check out or join the discussion, click: A Wordless Gospel.

Hume Offers Tiger Way Out of the Woods

/ Dennis Griffith / Leave a comment

I’ve been a fan of Brit Hume ever since, during my college years, I saw him as a panelist of a debate for the 1984 Presidential Election.  The panelist preceding Hume asked a question to one of the candidates, who then essentially filabustered – he talked in non-sensical circles until his time had elapsed.  In his turn Brit Hume followed up by asking the candidate: “My first question is, Why didn’t you answer the previous question?”  I liked that.

Hume’s directness has again stirred some controversy when last weekend he chimed in on the saga of Tiger Woods.  Boldly and with clarity he said something I had been thinking, essentially: “If Woods would turn his life to Christ he could experience forgiveness and restoration.”  (See clip above. Also watch as Hume explains his comments to Bill O’Reilly.)  

Justin Taylor, at Between Two Worlds, has posted some exerpts of interviews Hume has given over  the past few years that reveal a glimpse of the depths of  Hume’s faith.  (Click: Brit Hume, Tiger Woods, and Jesus Christ) 

Despite the flack he has received for his commentary, I don’t think this journalist will be backing down.

Qualities in Evangelism

/ Dennis Griffith / 1 Comment

How should a Christian approach an unbelieving friend or neighbor?  Magician-Entertainer Penn Jillette offers his perspective in this video.  Most astounding is that Jillette is a self-professed athiest.  But the qualities he lists about the man who, one night, gave him a Bible after a show ought to be kept in mind and emulated by us all.