It is rarely talked about, but many Christians today would say that you should not quote the Bible to a non-Christian. They might say that people who quote the Bible to non-Christians are being foolish since we no longer live in a Christian culture. In reflection and response, I would like to offer four comments on biblical evangelism.
First, we admittedly live amidst the shards and ruins of Christendom
In Christendom, the Bible would have some status and authority in the culture at large. To quote the Bible on an issue would mean that many people would listen. They would not dismiss the Bible out of hand. They would at least consider what the Bible said.
It is very clear that this is not the case in Canada today.
Many Christians still want to act as if Christians, the church, and the Bible have some privileged place. They will point to our history. They will quote the Bible as if it has some recognized, argument clinching authority.
But the culture has shifted, and shifted, and keeps on shifting, and with every shift, Christendom recedes, and what is left are more shards and ruins mixed with very different ideologies and spiritualities. So now, at best, most Canadians could not give a hoot about what the Bible says. In fact, many believe the Bible is toxic.
Second, don’t let how Canadians think about the Bible shape how you think about the Bible
Christians breathe the air of their culture. It is always easy to be swayed by the culture, in biblical words, to become “worldly.” If Jesus is your Saviour and your Lord, then you need to have Him teach you His understanding about the Bible. You learn His view in the context of the errors, lies, and idols of your culture.
It is beyond the scope of this blog to prove this, but Jesus taught that to hear the Bible was to hear the Triune God speak, and so His word is authoritative, infallible, dependable and powerful. To believe this today and say it out loud is to invite scorn – as if you are some kind of fundamentalist fool.
Do not let the shame of the world and your “intellectual betters” shape your heart. Pick up your cross and follow Jesus.
But embrace the scorn.
Do not let the shame of the world and your “intellectual betters” shape your heart. Pick up your cross and follow Jesus.
Third, remember what evangelism is
People mistakenly talk as if evangelism is persuasion. If evangelism is mere persuasion, then you will learn from Canadian culture how to persuade. You will avoid talking about Christian teachings that are offensive to Canadians. You will “package” and “market” the message – and maybe even get lots of people listening.
However, probably the most important passage on evangelism for Christians in Canada today is 2 Corinthians 4:1-6. I urge you to read it and meditate upon it. The Bible says that you have one responsibility: to winsomely, self-effacingly, clearly, and invitingly proclaim the Lord Jesus Christ.
Only God can convert.
The Triune God does not merely persuade, He converts; He changes; He gives new life; He brings about the new birth. Only He can cause the biblical message to pierce your mind and heart to reveal the glory of Jesus. Note, you are not called to “package” or “market” a message, but to proclaim the biblical message that Jesus Christ is Lord and Saviour.
Fourth, use the Bible when sharing the good news about Jesus with non-Christians
Glenn Scrivener has brilliantly said, “If you were going to rob a bank, would you decide to not bring a gun because people do not believe in guns?” No, of course not. In the same way, the Lord has invested His word written with power. So, you pray for your friends and family, asking the Lord to bring them to a saving faith in Jesus. And when you get that “open door” to tell them the good news about Jesus, most definitely share with them what the Bible says (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12).
Please pray that the Lord will grant you, and me, the courage to winsomely, self-effacingly, clearly and invitingly, share the good news of Jesus, sharing the very words of the Bible at the opportune time. To God alone be the glory.
