Comments on: Testimony Worth Telling

By: H

Sat, 14 Feb 2009 02:56:10 +0000

Thanks, Joe – I think I understand now how my own testimony has turned off one Christian guy whom I have been serious with because I had more of a radical change than he did in my life (before and after becoming born-again). He never had that “miraculous moment” so for the several years that I knew him, I was waiting for it to happen but it never really did except a series of trials where his character appeared to have developed. I would appreciate it if you could respond back because I have a question that requires feedback from a guy who is Christian.

By: Personal Testimony?

Personal Testimony? — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 16:51:08 +0000

[...] If you’ve been in or around Christian circles, undoubtedly you’ve heard multiple personal testimonies. Joe Thorn posted a helpful article analyzing it here. [...]

By: Bumgarner

Bumgarner — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 15:28:34 +0000

Joe – My experience is that all three of your points are greatly needed, and that the most needed is #3 – knowing the gospel. Many of my evangelical friends, if you were to ask them do define the gospel, would be the deer-in-the-headlights. We simply don’t have a full, comprehensive view of the gospel itself and when I say “full”, I mean an understanding of the gospel that includes the “me-and-Jesus” aspect, but extends also to the kingdom.

Your point about making Jesus the focal point is key as well. It’s really His story. He’s the hero.

I enjoy your blog, brother and dig the new look.

By: Boaly

Boaly — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 09:56:40 +0000

This is brilliant advice Joe, a few years ago as part of a baptism I asked if the guys would share their testimony, but rather than major on ‘the before of their lives’ to major on Christ & how they’ve seen Him post conversion.

It was a concept that one, who was bible college trained, found it hard to grasp. I love him as a brother but it was an example to me of how programmed we can be with our testimonies & how often our sin before Christ’s calling can be ‘glorified’ more than Christ.

Thanks for writting this post

By: David Wickiser

David Wickiser — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 05:09:00 +0000

I moved around a lot growing up, but every youth group I was in and most churches I have served with (primarily as a summer missionary) valued the testimony highly, and it always bothered me. Although “big testimonies” interested me, it was always the horrific past and not the present grace (though I was thankful and more moved than many).
Personally, I have found when asked to give a testimony, it is best to speak Scripture, with a little bit of how it has affected the recent past. There is no “big change” I can tell of in a “before” and “after” sense, as there wasn’t much before I became a Christian at 6 years old. But I find that things going on in my life recently (such as the tornado at Union University, witnessing 4 children almost drown and require CPR to resuscitate them, deaths of loved ones), intertwined with Scripture highlighting the grace of God and the hope for the future turn out well. Basically to get on the average level (step down from the platform summer missionaries/ministers are oft put on and “be real”), and let them know that I understand suffering, pain, heartache, death, but greater than this is the grace of the almighty God, which is really real.