The Gospel Coalition

A few months ago, I wrote about the decline of the vocational evangelist and made a few suggestions about what the future of vocational evangelism might look like.

Today, I’d like to share a few thoughts on personal evangelism, particularly the tools being developed to assist Christians in this task.

The Problem with Traditional Evangelistic Tools

In previous generations, tools like the Four Spiritual Laws and Evangelism Explosion dominated the field of personal evangelism. These tools have been effective for many people, and we can be grateful that the Lord continues to use these methods. But now that our society has moved in a direction that is increasingly post-Christian, these methods have begun to show their age.

Traditional evangelistic strategies are not necessarily deficient in what they say, but in what they assume. These methods assume that the lost person already has a basic amount of Bible knowledge. The presentation makes little sense unless presented within a religious framework in which the character of God is largely understood, the nature of sin is acknowledged, and the need for forgiveness is felt.

Unfortunately, we no longer live in a world in which people understand these truths.

The Romans Road

Take the Romans Road for example. As good as the Romans Road is (I’ve used it on many occasions, and it is Scripture after all!), the presentation usually begins with Romans 3:23 (All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God), before moving on to sin’s penalty (6:23), God’s intervention (5:8), and our response (10:9-10, 13). Surely one can’t argue against the Bible as a gospel presentation.

But the problem with the Romans Road is that even Romans doesn’t begin with Romans 3:23. In Romans 1, Paul speaks of the character of God and the devastation of human rebellion. Romans 2 indicts all of us – Jew and Gentile alike. Romans 3 underscores the depravity of human nature.

In other words, even the Romans Road (at least as it is popularly used) makes sense only within an overarching narrative that is Scriptural. The presentation assumes that people know who God is, what God demands, who we are, what our problem is, and how God has acted in history to bring restoration.

The deficiency of the Romans Road is not the verses of Scripture, but the disappearance of the framework in which these verses make sense. When the people around us no longer hold to a biblical framework from which to make sense of these truths, the Romans Road turns into a series of cobbled-together propositions that are disconnected from the Story of Scripture.

Evangelists today are looking for ways to hold together the propositional truth claims of Scripture and the Grand Narrative within which these claims find their meaning. Tomorrow, I’ll review three of these presentations, analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of each.

Related Posts:
In Defense of Proselytism: Talking Points for Brit Hume
Walking and Talking Evangelism
I’m Afraid to Share My Faith

Steve Jobs on why he is keeping porn off of Apple products:

In this case, over the moral issue of pornography, Jobs is happy to tell customers to buy a different product. He argues that children and innocence ought to be preserved – and that trumps the dollar.

Why you should pray for the business people in your church:

Suppose a pastor knew of a church member who owned a business and sought to honor God in that business. Almost every church has at least one such person. Many churches have several. Suppose further that the pastor took two or three minutes in a worship service to allow this business owner to explain how she integrated her faith in her business. What more natural way to conclude this mini-interview than with the standard question: “And how can we pray for you?”

John Piper on whether or not pastors should get Ph.Ds:

I would much rather you do a wise PhD—that is, go to a place where they really let you study the Bible mainly. Yes, you’ve gotta read other stuff. But you want to come out of there with three years’ worth with a big, large, strong, robust, deep grasp of God and his ways in the world, not just a little tiny slice of what a thousand wrong people are saying about some teeny verse in the Bible. That’s just a sad use of three years.

I have thorougly enjoyed Dave Harvey’s new book, Rescuing Ambition. Here is one of my favorite sections from the book:

Just look at some of the titles of greatness I’ve found in my own campaigns of personal glory.

Dave the Occasionally Great.

• This Dave has his moments. He even surprises himself sometimes. He’ll do something selfless, think about others before himself. He’ll have sympathy for people in need. He’ll be moved by images of poverty and oppression on the news, and even give to worthy causes. The problem is he just can’t string it together – self-focuses, self-absorbed Dave keeps showing up as well. This Dave can confuse others, and he certainly confuses himself. Greatness is hit or miss. And the misses can be biggies.

Dave the Great-in-His-Own-Mind.

• This Dave thinks great thoughts – about Dave. He has wonderful plans – for Dave. He can always think of a way to do it better than the other guy. He’s ready to offer his valuable opinion about anything. Just ask. Sometimes you don’t even need to ask; his opinions just topple out like golden nuggets from an overstuffed treasure chest.

Dave the Potentially Great.

• This is the guy everybody says could really do something if he put his mind to it. He has the tools; he just needs to put it all together. But this Dave fears success and the responsibility that comes with it. Better to always “have potential: than to risk anything – just keep pushing success out there into the future, and nobody can criticize you for how you achieved it.

Dave the Formerly Great.

• This Dave has been there and done that. He’ll talk about the way things were “back in the day.” He thinks everything’s gone downhill ever since…well, ever since things were great. Dave the Formerly Great can have a selective memory: His failures fade away, while his accomplishments are easily recalled – and easily exaggerated.

Dave the Comparatively Great.

• This Dave is always a seven out of ten. Not perfect, but certainly better than average. Dave the Comparatively Great is extremely conscious of the competition. He knows what it takes to stay ahead of the average guy. This Dave doesn’t appreciate somebody being promoted over him. It messes up his comparison index. He loves to win, hates to lose.

Dave the Tomorrow-I’ll-Be-Great.

• This Dave has great intentions. He’s just about to do something; he can feel it. He just has to get a little more rested up first, a little more organized, a little more motivated. Ask this Dave why he still hasn’t done what he said he’d do, and he turns into…

Dave the If-Only Great.

• This Dave really wants to be great, but he just can’t catch a break. He’s constantly being thwarted in his great endeavors by the decisions, weaknesses, or failures of others. If only he could find people to count on…if only people were more predictable…if only he had the resources or the time or the help, he’d be truly great. If only.

Dave the I’d-Be-Great-If-If-Others-Would-Just-Notice.

• This Dave would never claim to be great, but would sure appreciate it if other would perceive his effort. He knows what people like, and he’s good at delivering it. If he had to choose between some great success that only God noticed and some small success witnessed by others, he’d choose the latter every day and twice on Sunday. It’s not that he doesn’t care whether God notices; it just feels better when other people do.

Dave the I’ll-Be-Great-if-It-Kills-Me.

• This Dave is so motivated for greatness that he’s fixated on his goals. He pushes hard and won’t take no for an answer. Failure’s just not an option.

Gallup: The New Normal on Abortion – More Americans are Pro-Life

Whatever the cause, the effect is that the pro-life label has become increasingly dominant among Republicans and to a lesser degree among independents, while the pro-choice label has become more dominant among Democrats.

Contemporary or Traditional? D.A. Carson says that’s the wrong question:

Our generation desperately needs to connect praise with righteousness, worship with obedience, and the Lord’s response with a clean heart.

Why Ed Stetzer is no longer on FaceBook:

It’s Facebook’s place and thus their rules. As one who runs a blog, I know how that works– my blog, my rules. You do not have to come here and you don’t have to be on Facebook. But, I think the continual erosion of privacy should concern you as well.

Josh Harris asks that we pray for his mother, Sono Harris, who has recently been diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer:

Right now the future is completely unknown. There’s no timetable, no certainty. I’ve thought many times during the past few weeks that this cancer has simply highlighted and heightened the reality that is always true of our lives: we never know how much time we have and each day is a gift. So as 1 Peter 1 puts it, we’re grieved by this trial, but we’re rejoicing in the living hope we have through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Regardless of what happens in Mom’s body, the new life she has through Christ that first transformed her 37 years ago is imperishable and grows stronger day by day.

Lord, help me to glorify you.

I am poor;
help me to glorify you by contentment.

I am sick;
help me to give you honor by patience.

I have talents;
help me to exalt you by spending them for you.

I have a heart to feel, Lord;
let that heart feel no love but yours,
and glow with no flame but affection for you.

I have a head to think, Lord;
help me to think of you and for you.

You have put me in this world for something, Lord;
show me what it is,
and help me to live according to your purpose.

- Charles Spurgeon

A glorious glimpse into the paradox of Christ being both human and divine:

Jesus was baptized as Man— but He remitted sins as God…

He was tempted as Man, but He conquered as God…

He hungered— but He fed thousands…

He thirsted— but He cried, If anyone thirst, let him come unto Me and drink…

He was wearied, but He is the Rest of them that are weary and heavy laden…

He was heavy with sleep, but He walked lightly over the sea…

He prays, but He hears prayer…

He weeps, but He causes tears to cease…

He asks where Lazarus was laid, for He was Man; but He raises Lazarus, for He was God…

He is sold for a cheap thirty pieces of silver; but He redeems the world at the great price of His own blood.

As a sheep He is led to the slaughter, but He is the Shepherd of Israel, and now of the whole world.

As a Lamb He is silent, yet He is the Word…

He is bruised and wounded, but He heals every disease and every infirmity.

He is lifted up and nailed to the Tree, but by the Tree of Life He restores us;

He dies, but He gives life, and by His death destroys death.

He is buried, but He rises again…

- Gregory of Nazianzus (329-89), On the Son

My seven picks for your weekend perusal:

1. How to introduce hymns to a contemporary congregation

2. Is that a lion or not? Another lesson for good disappointing leadership.

3. The problem with the “Give in order to Get” philosophy

4. Martin Luther on how to remain cheerful

5. What happens to us when we are so mobile that we lose a sense of stable location?

6. Michael Kelley’s personal reflections on the Flood of 2010.

7. Alvin Reid on why you should attend this year’s Southern Baptist Convention

* Bonus: I am grateful for Jared Wilson’s thoughtful and (mostly) positive review of Holy Subversion.

Yesterday, I posted an interview with sculptress Tracy H. Sugg. She and her husband Robert have been guest presenters at arts conferences nationwide, on topics ranging from using the arts in worship to the business of art. They also provide special programs and devotionals using pottery and sculpture. (Visit their website here.)

Today, Robert stops by the blog to answer a few questions about art and evangelicals.

Trevin Wax: How can evangelicals come to appreciate the importance of art?

Robert Sugg: It is no accident that one of the first things totalitarian regimes seize control of is the arts. Art defines culture. Life imitates art.

We can compare contemporary yuck art installations in public places with inspiring, beautiful monuments, but for a more familiar example, we can look to TV ads. Companies spend millions of dollars for one 30-second Super Bowl spot because they know advertising works—people buy or do what they see modeled—and that is just for a 30-second commercial. How much more does life imitate art for the modern culture that spends hours watching TV? If a 30-second spot shapes behavior, what changes can be expected from ingesting a one-hour program?

If children watch TV shows of other kids disrespecting their parents and hating their siblings, guess what behavior they are going to model at home? If entire congregations spend three hours a day watching shows where people drive flashy cars, wear designer clothes, live in fancy homes, and have many sexual partners, how will this affect the life of the church? Proverbs asks if a man can pour live coals into his lap and not be burned, yet we consistently fill our minds with evil and think we can come out unscathed.

Let us suppose for an instant that art in today’s society was used to uphold the true, the noble, the good, and the righteous. What would the effect be on society? What if married faithfulness, the value of life, and heroic ideals were the staples of today’s entertainment?

Many Christians are turning to podcasts, radio, and websites to bolster their faith, which comes “by hearing the word of God.” Imagine a revolution in which good, inspiring, and heroic themes become the norm instead of a fringe movement. If you could replace every pop song that glorifies rape, murder, crystal meth and marijuana with songs that hold up positive ideals, what would the result be?

Art is VITAL in the war for culture, and until people recognize this, we will continue to lose this particular battle.

Trevin Wax: The current situation seems terrible. How did it happen?

Robert Sugg: In the early 1900′s, artistic styles were introduced with the stated purpose of destroying “the family, patriotism, religion, and art.” These twisted styles of art showed the human figure in contorted, depraved conditions, and resulted in a cult of the artist in which weirdness was celebrated over beauty, and behavior such as publicly burning a piano or urinating in a fireplace at a reception was considered the height of self-expressionism. What was celebrated in poetry, music, and painting made its way through the decades to literature, radio, movies, and TV.

Unfortunately, some Christian organizations have embraced the deviance found in some contemporary art, unaware that they are shooting themselves in the foot by promoting artwork that is at the very least meaningless, and at the worst dehumanizing. What they do not seem to grasp is that artistic style is much like a vocabulary, and artworks are like words—it is difficult to tell the story of Christ if one only uses words such as “rage, despair, hopelessness, and victimization.”

Many churches, seeing the deviant state of the arts, simply vacated the arts entirely, leaving the entire purview of culture-shaping over to the deviant and purposefully destructive.

Trevin Wax: What do you see as the future of the arts?

Robert Sugg: There is a growing movement within the art community—a rebellion, if you will—that is returning to classical themes and styles. The Art Renewal Center has drawn a line in the sand and is providing a restoration of art, art training and philosophy that communicates Truth and Beauty. Many artists are flocking to this movement, and I find it interesting that a lot of the subject matter of the artwork reflects the Christian faith. If only the church would take note!

Trevin Wax: What can pastors and church leaders do to help?

Robert Sugg: Pope John Paul II wrote:

Art must make perceptible, and as far as possible attractive, the world of the spirit, of the invisible, of God…. On countless occasions the biblical word has become image, music and poetry, evoking the mystery of “the Word made flesh” in the language of art….The Church has need especially of those who can do this on the literary and figurative level, using the endless possibilities of images and their symbolic force….

First, we need to recognize art as a powerful tool in the effort to communicate the gospel. To this end, I recommend authors Francis Shaeffer, Franky Shaeffer, H. R. Rookmaaker and most of what Gene Edward Veith has to say.

Understand that art has been hijacked by secular humanism and contorted to some of the weird, perverse expressions seen today, and see the need for taking this ground back.

Realize that the opportunities for art in ministry are myriad: I know a missionary – who can’t be named for security purposes – who researches artwork used by oral cultures, and helps create evangelism tools for use in reaching those groups. Every denomination has a publishing house with needs for cover art, bible study materials, evangelism resources, and special programs. Every church can use visual arts not only to promote the church’s mission, but as an evangelism tool.

Brian Bakke, Regional Director for the Americas for The Mustard Seed Foundation, pioneered an art evangelism tool in inner-city Chicago for Uptown Baptist Church in which juvenile offenders were released by the courts to participate in designing and painting public murals. The results in the life of the community and the lives of the youths involved were dynamic, and the program continues to this day.

If your church desires to hold an art show, make sure you include the local community and use the opportunity to bring people into a fellowship hall that might never darken the doors of a church under usual circumstances.

If evangelicals can grasp the full God-created potential of art for humanity as a whole and for the Church in particular, then they will have a much broader platform to proclaim Christ to a fallen world.

Trevin Wax: Is it hard for artist-type personalities to fit in at church? Why is this a problem? And how can churches work to address it effectively?

Robert Sugg: Stained glass artist Tammy O’Connor once told me, “Artists are not sowers. They are not harvesters. They are waterers.”

Acceptance of this basic understanding will go a long way in fitting artists in to the life of the church. For evangelical churches especially, when the emphasis is often on areas of church life that many artists are not especially gifted in or even comfortable with, the conflict between personality type and the perceived expectations of a congregant can be a source of tremendous friction.

If a church is friendly, does a good job of making visitors feel welcome, inviting people to participate in bible study and ministry, and recognizing talents in so-called ‘hidden’ ministry and behind-the-scenes work, much of the difficulty is taken out of the equation.

If you have an arts decision to make in the church, involve arts people. Just as an accountant might make a good committee chair for the finance committee, an artist could be a valuable resource when it comes to designing a new space for ministry.

Alternately, if the church has a vision for a certain ministry, foreign missions for instance, give an artist free reign to think, design, and create inspiring artwork to solidify the mission’s goals and inspire the congregation. Artwork is a very powerful communicator when used effectively. Jim Ashabraner’s painting of Intercession is a powerful reminder of the importance of intercessory prayer, and hangs in the Missions Resource Center at First Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi.

There are many things a good artist can offer to the church, but also realize that a good artist, just by creating works of Truth and Beauty will be reflecting God in all they do – whether it’s a stained glass window for the church, or a monument of a Revolutionary War General.

The Bitter Homeschooler’s Wish List (Very funny, from a secular homeschooler!):

Please stop questioning my competency and demanding to see my credentials. I didn’t have to complete a course in catering to successfully cook dinner for my family; I don’t need a degree in teaching to educate my children. If spending at least twelve years in the kind of chew-it-up-and-spit-it-out educational facility we call public school left me with so little information in my memory banks that I can’t teach the basics of an elementary education to my nearest and dearest, maybe there’s a reason I’m so reluctant to send my child to school.

Alan Jacobs believes “disputed sovereignty” is the overarching theme of the Narnia chronicles:

If we then try to consider the seven Narnia stories as a single story, what is that story about? I contend that the best answer is disputed sovereignty. More than any other single thing, the story of Narnia concerns an unacknowledged but true King and the efforts of his loyalists to reclaim or protect his throne from would-be usurpers.

How will the iPad change your church?

There is a notable trend of pastors valuing the times they can be out of the office, working in coffee shops or other third spaces. With the proliferation of laptops, pastors became less tied to the computers at our desks or books on our shelves. We can be out and about for sermon prep, connecting with members of the church, or meeting new people. For the day-to-day work of a pastor, could an iPad be as effective, or perhaps more effective, than a laptop? From my experience so far, I think we can say it’s effective, but a different kind of effective.

Elena Kagan, President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee, doesn’t have a high opinion of pro-life advocates:

“Was Ms. Kagan so dismissive of the belief that unborn children are members of the human family that she felt it necessary to put the term ‘innocent life’ in quote marks, or does she have another explanation?” Johnson wondered. ”Would she be able to set aside any animus she has towards those who fight to protect innocent human life, when reviewing laws duly enacted for that purpose?” he asked.

Robert and Tracy H. Sugg are members of the church I currently serve. Tracy is a nationally-recognized sculptor, with several monuments and pieces in numerous museum and private collections.  Her first book, In Pursuit of the Artist’s Arcanum, was released in 2007. Right now, her work is currently on display in New York City at the Kosciuszko Foundation.

Today, Tracy joins us on the blog, and tomorrow Robert will answer a few questions as well. I hope you’ll enjoy this glimpse into the heart of a Christian artist who thinks in terms of vocation for the glory of God.

Trevin Wax: How did you first recognize your call and gift for sculpting?

Tracy H. Sugg: When I was eight I went trail-riding in the mountains of New Mexico with my Dad. One of the places we visited there was a small art gallery in Ruidoso, NM. The owner and foundryman, Walter Rawley, took us into the back where the sculptures were created using the lost wax casting process. I was fascinated! I knew at eight years old what I was created to do—make sculpture!

I couldn’t find anyone to train me in classical techniques until I met Dr. Sam Gore at Mississippi College, a small Baptist University in Clinton, Mississippi. In addition to completing my undergraduate and graduate work there, I served an eight year apprenticeship with Dr. Gore, and as ton after ton of clay went through my hands, I spent hours learning his philosophy on art and his passion for excellence. He used to say:

“You should always be learning. If you are pleased with the work you made one year ago, you haven’t learned very much during that year.”

Trevin Wax: Why are the arts important for the Christian?

Tracy H. Sugg: I like this quote from Francis Schaeffer:

“Christians should use these arts to the glory of God — not just as tracts, but as things of beauty to the praise of God. An art work can be a doxology in itself.”

In the same way that creation shows God’s handiwork, all true art brings honor to God, whether it contains a direct religious theme or not.

Hans R. Rookmaaker says:

“Nowhere is culture more ‘unsalted’ than precisely in the field of the arts. If there is a battle over culture, then the arts is largely a field where the church has vacated the battle and run without a fight, and this in a time when the arts (in the widest sense) are gaining a stronger influence than ever through mass communications.”

This is the direct result of the rise of ‘modern art’ which is steeped in a philosophy that rejects all things of order, reason, truth, and beauty – in fact is the antithesis of all that is mentioned in Philippians 4:8.

Trevin Wax: Many in the art world today consider spontaneity and natural creativity to be better than disciplined improvement in creating art. How does learning art help you improve your craft?

Tracy H. Sugg: Irving Stone once said, “Talent is cheap, dedication is expensive. It will cost you your life.”

One could ask if it is better for a pastor to simply ‘follow as the Spirit leads’ in a career and not seek training or ordination rather than spend years in school, studying the Bible and writing sermons.

While the idea seems ludicrous at first glance, you are right, there are those that think training and learning is a bad thing. I have even talked with someone who wouldn’t study any art history and so ‘adulterate’ their pure artistic inspiration. While natural gifting is a good beginning, true mastery comes only with thousands of hours of learning. Michelangelo at age 87 said, “I am still learning.”

Pope John Paul II has written well of this too:

Those who perceive in themselves this kind of divine spark which is the artistic vocation – as poet, writer, sculptor, architect, musician, actor and so on – feel at the same time the obligation not to waste this talent but to develop it, in order to put it to the service of their neighbor and of humanity as a whole.

The particular vocation of individual artists point as well to the tasks they must assume, the hard work they must endure and the responsibility they must accept. They must labour without allowing themselves to be driven by the search for empty glory or the craving for cheap popularity, and still less by the calculation of some possible profit for themselves. There is therefore an ethic, even a ‘spirituality’ of artistic service, which contributes in its way to the life and renewal of a people.

When the Master returns and asks how talents have been invested, one would not like to be guilty of burying their talents in the ground.

Trevin Wax: You have referred to John Paul II’s letter to artists. How has this letter inspired you?

Tracy H. Sugg: I cannot stress how much this letter has inspired me as an artist. I first came across the letter when I was conducting research for my Master of Fine Arts thesis which discusses the relationship of artistic styles and the philosophy that birthed them – mainly comparing the Christian worldview and the classical realistic style with the modernistic style which had its philosophical roots in secular humanism.

I love the fact that John Paul II first addresses the letter to all artists… not just Christian artists. Then he develops the theme from there, tying in the inspiration of having a Creator God, of the Holy Scriptures, of Christ’s Incarnation. He speaks of the importance of the artist to the church, but then lovingly states the truth that the artist needs the church, ending with a passionate appeal for the artist to seek fulfillment in his calling through Christ as His salvation— what an incredible example for any pastor who wants to connect with artists inside and outside of the church.

John Paul II’s letter was the touchstone that drew all the awakening thoughts that had been stirring in me as I matured in my own spiritual life and in my art together. If any pastor is to truly understand the vocation, purpose and fulfillment of what God has for artists, I believe that reading this letter will shed immense light for him.

Trevin Wax: Tomorrow, we will be talking with Tracy’s husband, Robert, about evangelicalism and the arts. You can see some pictures of Tracy’s work below. You can visit her website here. This is Tracy’s artist statement:

It is my desire that my sculpture reflects a touch of the Infinite.  By continually seeking to learn;  the inherent beauty of Creation, the value and mystery of Life, the noble epiphany of Truth, I strive to create an enduring tribute to humanity’s highest ideals and aspirations – - Thus conveying the eternal message of Hope, Truth and Beauty through the ever-expressive language of sculpture. – Tracy H. Sugg

Blessed are those who are persecuted

Southern Fisherboy Fountain

General Tadeusz Kosciuszko Monument