Why Modern "Evangelism" is Not Evangelism At All

This includes part of an earlier video I posted called "If Election is True, Why Evangelize?" I believe this part of the video should have it's own heading so I clipped it and there is an added 4 minutes at the end that is not in the previous video. It gives great commentary on the current state of popular "evangelism" and what real evangelism is.



"Instead of seeking the elect by presenting food for sheep, the preached Word of God which the Holy Spirit uses to convict the elect of their sins, many are seeking the bottom line: numbers. Since numbers have often become the standard by which to judge a ministry's 'success' and, not wanting to offend or drive people away, much of the modern 'church' is no longer preaching the sinfulness of man or the bloody offense of the cross. As a result, the 'church' is offering the wrong kind of food. Instead of food for sheep, much of today's 'preaching and evangelism' is food for... goats, and goats are now everywhere!"

- Eric Holmberg




This is part of the documentary Amazing Grace: The History and Theology of Calvinism. You can order this at The Apologetics Group's Official Website: http://www.theapologeticsgroup.com

(The Apologetics Group videos posted on this profile are posted with the permission of Mr. Holmberg.)

Category:

Education

Tags:

• seeker
• sensitive
• emergent
• church
• modern
• evangelism
• jesus
• sin
• cross
• imputation
• righteousness
• justification
• propitiation

[2nDoppelganger]

To most people, the Bible is like a software license. Nobody actually reads it. They just scroll down to the bottom and click "I agree."

[meangreen4321]

Quote from video:

"The law was never intended to save"

Contrast:

Prov. 19:16-He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, But he who is careless of his ways will die.

Psalm 19:7-"The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the LORD are sure, making wise the simple;"

Deut. 28:9-"The Lord will designate you as his holy people just as he promised you, if you keep his commandments and obey him. "

It appears that God expected it was possible to keep the law.

[Keruaran]

@meangreen4321

Step back for a moment and look at the entirety of the Old Testament. Is the unfolding of the story of Israel one of a people who ever kept or were able to keep God's law? Were we not meant to notice?

"Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?" (The Apostle Peter, Atcs 15:10)

[Sinch100]

@meangreen4321

Galations 2:16



[winner2me]

@meangreen4321 I agree with the the brother who says that mankind CANNOT be saved through the Law. This is "theological interpretation". It's very clear in the Bible. Please Mathew chapters 5 to 7. Also Romans chapters 2 to 5.

To summarise, NO ONE can keep the law and that's what Paul also said in Romans, saying that Christ HAS FULFILLED for us. We just have to have faith in HIM and be "justified". We follow Christ commandment of LOVE. That's clearly mentioned in the Gospel of John.

[Kevbox2008]

@meangreen4321 Jesus said it the best. "If you love Me, you'll keep my commandments." When we love Him, we can't help but do our best to keep the Law even though keeping the Law is not necessary for Salvation. Sure we'll struggle and fall. However, our heart's desire will be to obey what He's commanded and please & worship Him. Bottom Line: There's no Salvation through the Law but there is obedience to the Law with Salvation.

[meangreen4321]

@Kevbox2008

Remember that when these verses were written, the Jews were not yet looking for a Messiah to atone for sins... the sacrifices were of the old religion, but during the years of the prophets, it was proclaimed that God did not desire them anymore. "He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

[meangreen4321]

@Kevbox2008

I will look into this further... your points are good. But you can't deny that God expected the law to be fully obeyed... as the verses I posted above show. The verses do seem to conclude that such obedience would "save" a person.

[Kevbox2008]

@meangreen4321 No He didn't. The Law never made one righteous. One's "Righteousness" was evidenced by the fact that he lived to keep The Law. Good works and "righteousness under the law" the fruit of one's Right-Relationship with God. Keeping the Law cames as a result of one's love for God, thus one being "declared righteous". If "God intended the law to save," why did Christ die and why have temple sacrifices?? Your argument doesn't make sense because it doesn't address most of the Bible!!

[meangreen4321]

@Kevbox2008

Simply put.....at one time, God intended the law to save. Ultimately, I'm saying that Christianity has interpreted the old testament to suit their doctrines. I do believe at some time that the Jews realized that it was impossible to keep the whole law perfectly, but earlier they did believe it was possible to be declared "righteous under the law".

[Kevbox2008]

@meangreen4321 So, what's your point??

[meangreen4321]

@Kevbox2008

But Jews don't believe this, and they use the so-called "old testament" to back their claims with verses like the ones I mentioned from Psalms, Proverbs and Deuteronomy.