Does Calvinism STOP Evangelism Or Actually Do it? [1of2] (James White)

Does Calvinism stop evangelism? Well, the way you answer that question is dependent on what you're holding to be the standard for evangelism. If evangelism is getting tazered in front of a packed house, dropping objects from helicopters, or having rock concerts on Sunday mornings so you can coerce people into raising their hand, then yes; Calvinism does stop "evangelism". If, however, you hold the Bible to be the standard for objective truth and derive definitions from it, Calvinism not only encourages evangelism, it actually does it as opposed to the cases stated above. In Romans 1, Paul said, "So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also." (Rom 1:15) The Greek word for "preach the gospel" is εὐαγγελίζω or euaggelizō and it means "to announce good news ("evangelize") especially the gospel: - declare, bring (declare, show) glad (good) tidings, preach (the gospel)" Note who Paul was sharing his desire to preach the gospel to. He was speaking of believers. It kind of puts a new (or rather old) spin on what it actually means to evangelize.

James White discussed this in a Sunday School lecture a few years ago. He gave me permission to post this here. I recommend his website: http://www.aomin.org

Here is the 12 part series that this audio came from. It's called Common Attacks Against Reformed Theology.
http://lanechaplin.blogspot.com/2008/03/common-attacks-against-reformed.html

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[polopowers1]

I've been an evangelist for over thirty years. Started out evangelizing in hell's kitchen New York the South Bronx, Harlem etc. The last fifteen years at universitys and some over seas at missions etc. I'm a full beiever in election a five pointer. When I go I have this determination. Knowing God has His elect chosen out of the world I can by affection from Christ get privilege to see God save. Being part of the transition of His Word is a priviliege. So I endure all things for elect's sake.

[TeaPartier22]

Molinism, rather than Calvinism or Arminianism, is the correct theology, in my view. It's so obvious once it is studied, that this is the correct doctrine.

[RomansGalatians]

Compatiblism is God working through us. It is an essential Christian doctrine.

[RomansGalatians]

Thus, for the Arminian, we have a personal responsibility to not sin, and God pays our past sins if we ask. Two different entities, God and me, with two different responsibilities.

But the Bible shows that God WORKS IN AND THROUGH US. It's not as if God is distinct and acting INDEPENDENTLY. Rather God acts in us, thus we act. If man is able to live a holy life on his own, he doesn't need a savior. If personal responsibility is not compatible with God acting in us, how could we live holy?

[RomansGalatians]

Arminians don't really believe in man's INABILITY to live a holy life on his own. They only believe in an inability to pay back for past sins; kinda like a spiritual Bankruptcy. You get a fresh start, but you have PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY to not fall into debt again. If you do BZZZ, you need to go to the alter again and get re-saved.

They do not view Personal Responsibility as COMPATIBLE with God's grace. They view the SELF as distinct and "free" from God. God does His thing, we do ours.

[RockSprites]

@KiraWei1 Yeah, basically, after the crusades, they have you count up all the people that you supposedly shared the Gospel with, and every body that made a "decision" for Jesus, whatever that means. Then they tally it up and say: good job guys! That's 1,000 new brothers and sisters. And everybody cheers. I felt miserable at Big Break because I know that most of those people did not repent and have no understanding of the Gospel. How can they? Most kids sent to preach don't even know it.

[KiraWei1]

@RockSprites Wow. Yeah, I that is where I heard of that evangelism method. I don't care too much for it. It does capture Christianity I guess, but I feel like it can let Christianity seem like a feel-good fairytale instead of an intellectually honest understanding of the world in which we live. If was never quite taught Christianity, I doubt that it is what would have converted me.

[RockSprites]

@KiraWei1 He probably thinks it is extremely flawed. I know I do. It puts grace before law, rather than law before grace. Therefore, law negates grace. We use it in Campus Crusade and its really horrible what happens to our evangelism and preaching as a result. I have never seen such a weak, man-centered, 2 watt presentation of the Gospel. I uploaded videos about my experience with it. They are not very good, but I think I made my point. I was so aggravated after a retreat with them.

[KiraWei1]

I wonder what he thinks of simple "4 Spiritual Laws" evangelism. Anyone know?