Comments on: Gagging the Faith (Joshua 1:8) http://downtownpastor.wordpress.com/2009/05/24/gagging-the-faith-joshua-18/ Just another WordPress.com weblog Tue, 01 Sep 2009 18:17:26 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: downtownpastor http://downtownpastor.wordpress.com/2009/05/24/gagging-the-faith-joshua-18/#comment-177 downtownpastor Tue, 26 May 2009 17:34:23 +0000 http://downtownpastor.wordpress.com/?p=444#comment-177 And you are not alone, brother! I've read an article, I think in CT a few months back, that identified a "straw man" often brought out in conversations about evangelism. The straw man is the Christian who is arrogant, rude, hypocritical, insensitive, loud and obnoxious, etc., who just wants to hammer out a gospel presentation, regardless of the feelings and responses of those who may sit still long enough to listen. He is the kind of person that would leave either no tip in a restaurant, or a pathetic tip--and a gospel tract! Although I've certainly found those types through the years, and have made my own blunders in those areas, I've found that the vast majority of Christians that I meet and know are normal folks who trust in Christ, have problems, love their families and friends, and would like to see others find the same forgiveness and hope in Christ that they themselves have found. I read a historian once describe our faith as one that grew "through conversations between neighbors over the backyard fence." I really like that picture of evangelism. THAT'S the kind of witness our Enemy wants to silence, I think. The straw-man types do him a bit of good, so he probably encourages them along the way! Thanks so much for reading my article, brother! Good to have you in the same foxhole! And you are not alone, brother! I’ve read an article, I think in CT a few months back, that identified a “straw man” often brought out in conversations about evangelism. The straw man is the Christian who is arrogant, rude, hypocritical, insensitive, loud and obnoxious, etc., who just wants to hammer out a gospel presentation, regardless of the feelings and responses of those who may sit still long enough to listen. He is the kind of person that would leave either no tip in a restaurant, or a pathetic tip–and a gospel tract! Although I’ve certainly found those types through the years, and have made my own blunders in those areas, I’ve found that the vast majority of Christians that I meet and know are normal folks who trust in Christ, have problems, love their families and friends, and would like to see others find the same forgiveness and hope in Christ that they themselves have found. I read a historian once describe our faith as one that grew “through conversations between neighbors over the backyard fence.” I really like that picture of evangelism. THAT’S the kind of witness our Enemy wants to silence, I think. The straw-man types do him a bit of good, so he probably encourages them along the way! Thanks so much for reading my article, brother! Good to have you in the same foxhole!

]]> By: Joe Staub http://downtownpastor.wordpress.com/2009/05/24/gagging-the-faith-joshua-18/#comment-176 Joe Staub Tue, 26 May 2009 15:13:58 +0000 http://downtownpastor.wordpress.com/?p=444#comment-176 Ken, This is a timely message. I feel completely gagged in the public arena and I have felt this way for years. Living and working in the corporate world has tempered my speech and attitude in a way that has often compromised the gospel. I have had to repent many times. But, the pressure to conform to a non-Christian and non-Biblical world view is powerful. You are quite right in noting that everyone wants the universal ethics of Jesus to be practiced: selflessness, love unconditionally, turn the other cheek, stand up for the poor, speak out againt oppression. But, that is as far as it goes. We are so pluralistic as a society we won't be seen as "normal" if we stand for a "particular" faith system. If we live in the public arena as Joshua 1:8 demands we very often risk being accused of having a psychological dissorder, or being brain washed, or being cult victims, or being "mean", because of our Faith's exclusivity. It's almost a full time job to just be faithful to the gospel while on the job. It at least requires a high degree of prayerful vigilance and dependence on the Holy Spirit for strength and faithfulness. Ken,

This is a timely message. I feel completely gagged in the public arena and I have felt this way for years. Living and working in the corporate world has tempered my speech and attitude in a way that has often compromised the gospel. I have had to repent many times. But, the pressure to conform to a non-Christian and non-Biblical world view is powerful. You are quite right in noting that everyone wants the universal ethics of Jesus to be practiced: selflessness, love unconditionally, turn the other cheek, stand up for the poor, speak out againt oppression. But, that is as far as it goes. We are so pluralistic as a society we won’t be seen as “normal” if we stand for a “particular” faith system. If we live in the public arena as Joshua 1:8 demands we very often risk being accused of having a psychological dissorder, or being brain washed, or being cult victims, or being “mean”, because of our Faith’s exclusivity. It’s almost a full time job to just be faithful to the gospel while on the job. It at least requires a high degree of prayerful vigilance and dependence on the Holy Spirit for strength and faithfulness.

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