Bad Evangelism
I’m sitting in my living room right now watching a Nightline episode in which two atheists and two Christians (one of which is Kirk Cameron) debate the existence of God. And I have to admit…I’m kind of embarrassed.
It’s not the worst display of bad evangelism I’ve ever seen, but these debates just seem so pointless and counterproductive. At one point, Kirk Cameron pulled out some pictures of mock evolutionary missing links; animals like the “crocoduck” (half crocodile, half duck), the “bullfrog” (half frog, half bull), and the “sheepdog” (half sheep, half dog). And as he showed these, the atheists merely rolled their eyes.
An argument like that isn’t evangelism, it’s belittlement. It’s making fun of the other’s beliefs. And that tact just doesn’t work.
In the end, none of the atheists became Christians and none of the Christians became atheists. The only thing that happened was that they all got annoyed at each other.
When I think about evangelism in the Bible, I can’t think of any examples in which Jesus or Paul or any of the apostles tried to belittle someone into believing the gospel. Instead, Jesus simply welcomed and loved those who were “sinners”–and they loved him right back. Paul said to his audience things like, “I see that you are very religious”–he treated them with respect. And Philip simply asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?”–he didn’t say, “I can’t believe you don’t get this!”
I wonder when we’re finally going to start taking Peter’s words seriously, and actually treat people with “gentleness and respect” as we dialogue with them about life, the world, their pain…and about Jesus.
09 May 2007 markus
Markus Watson
Man that ticks me off, who the crap decides to bring Kirk Cameron (no Seminary training at all to defend the Christian faith? holy crap! It is the freaking media again…seriously!
Yeah, how dare they. They would probably try to invite Jesus - he hasn’t had any seminary training either.
Acts 4:13
Yeah Kirk Cameron is insane. He gets into everyones faces and sandbags them with, “Did you ever steal, Did you ever lie, did you ever have the starring role of the worst sitcom in history,… well your going to hell if you don’t have Jesus etc etc.” I can never figure out if he is really that “on” and obnoxious, or if he just did some Meth lines with Ted Haggard..either way I want to kick his A## twice over everytime I think, “Oh here we go again its KC representing the peace of Christ by yelling in someones face.
Whoa, Jon!! I think someone has some strong feelings…. ;-)
Jon…your cracking me up!
Just as you told me once, Markus-
Lord, lord!!!
When I see people like this, talk to them, or hear anything of them, that is all I can think about. And your choice of the word ” Belittlement ” is perfect. That is exactly what it is, but you’re the one who can hold the key for those who don’t believe. People like you are the ones non-believes want to listen to, because you respect them, understand, and don’t down talk them. You empathize, give examples, and listen. Anyone who has the least bit of sense would be willing to listen to that.