Over the years I have heard people encourage evangelism by saying something like, “Preach like an Arminian, pray like a Calvinist.” That, or some variation on the theme gets play now and then. And, let me just tell you, it’s the wrong thing to say. It’s not the wrong thing to say because Calvinists are the white hats, and Arminians are the black hats, but because when we say something like that we are implying (intentionally, or not) that Calvinism is somehow incompatible with evangelism and Arminian theology is incompatible with prayer.

As a Calvinist I would have to intentionally ignore the great examples of men who were strongly Reformed in theology and consequently passionate evangelists. John Calvin, The Puritans, John Bunyan, George Whitefield, William Carey, Charles Spurgeon, et al. serve as wonderful examples of men who were not preaching Christ to the lost in spite of their Reformed theology, but were emboldened by their theology to preach the gospel precisely, widely, and earnestly.

Of course, there are differences between Reformed and non-Reformed theologies, and this can impact how we approach something like evangelism. But, let’s not encourage the false notion that Calvinism is to blame for bad evangelism. It’s not a man’s Calvinism that leaves him unmotivated to speak words of life to those who are perishing, but his cold or fearful heart. Years ago on the blog I explained how the doctrines of grace should embolden our evangelism, but let me repeat it here.

Man’s total depravity moves me to preach Jesus Christ because I know that there is no hope for a man to find his way to God, accidentally or intentionally, on his own. There is no hope of him believing the truth apart from the preaching of the Gospel. Because people are dead in their sins, and are unwilling to come to Christ apart from the Father’s drawing, I know that their salvation hinges on God’s sovereign work. I know that he uses the preaching of the Gospel as the means of awaking the dead.

The doctrine of election encourages me to share the Gospel, because I am assured that God has chosen a people for himself. Like Jesus, the prophets and the Apostles, I preach indiscriminately to all, trusting that all who were predestined to eternal life will believe, if not now, later.

Particular redemption compels me to tell others about Jesus because not a drop of Christ’s blood was wasted. Because Jesus has purchased people from every tribe, tongue and nation we understand that God has sent us where we are, and is sending others around the world to preach Christ crucified with the awareness that He is building his church. Christ has accomplished redemption for his people, and it only awaits application.

The doctrine of effectual grace pushes me out of my study and into the community with the Gospel because I know that, although I may fail to persuade someone, God will not. Because a leopard cannot change his spots, nor man his nature, I am relieved to know that God will cause a man to be born again. So I tell as many as I am able the good news that we have in Jesus, with the hope that God will open hearts to respond to the word.

As we seek to stoke the fire of evangelism it’s good to think of Calvinism as an accelerant, not a retardant. So, when Calvinists are calling one another to evangelize (which we must continue to do), I think it’s confusing and unhelpful to say “Preach like an Arminian, pray like a Calvinist.” However, I’m not simply opting for “Preach like a Calvinist…” either. As I read through the history of the church I see faithful and fervent evangelists who preached Christ crucified to all who would listen, and the one thing they have in common is not Calvinism or Arminianism, but a deep and abiding love for Jesus that burns within them like a raging fire.

Charles Spurgeon and D.L. Moody differed in some important aspects of theology, but they were united in their love for Jesus and agreed that the only hope for sinners was Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. George Whitefield and John Wesley brutally scrapped over the doctrine of election, but they worked together for the spread of the gospel because they were gripped by the glory of God and the great need of their neighbors. They were men, like the prophet Jeremiah, who couldn’t contain the knowledge of God within them. It burned like a fire, overflowed the boundaries of their hearts, spilled out of their mouths, and spread to those around them.

If I say, “I will not mention him,
or speak any more in his name,”
there is in my heart as it were a burning fire
shut up in my bones,
and I am weary with holding it in,
and I cannot.
(Jeremiah 20:9 ESV)

I would say, preach like a man on fire. Better yet, may we be men on fire. Reformed and non Reformed brothers alike can share in this.

I recently received a copy of J.D. Payne’s new book, Evangelism: A Biblical Response to Today’s Questions. J.D. is a National Missionary with the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention and an Associate Professor of Church Planting and Evangelism in the Billy Graham School of Missions and Evangelism at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

I often get unsolicited books in the mail. If they’re good, I’ll say so. If not, I don’t blog about it. When another book came in on evangelism I wasn’t exactly excited. Perhaps because I’ve been reading books on evangelism since 1993 and while some are great, most are just okay, often repeating what has been said before. I was happy to find J.D.’s book to be practical, theologically solid, and fresh.

Evangelism was written to “respond to the most commonly asked questions about evangelism.” But rather than present new and inventive answers to the age-old questions, J.D. provides clear, biblical answers from a Reformed perspective. And, the questions he seeks to respond to are not only theological, but also the kind of questions all of us ask, or at least wonder to ourselves. Here are just a few of the 33 chapters (questions) dealt with in Evangelism.

What Is the Gospel? (Ch. 2)
What Is Conversion? (Ch. 5)
What Are We Saved From? (Ch. 8)
What Is Election? (Ch. 10)
What About Those Who Never Hear the Gospel? (C. 13)
What If I Don’t Feel Like Sharing the Gospel? (Ch. 20)
What If I Make A Mistake When Sharing the Gospel? (Ch. 22)
What Should I Do If My Church Is Not Evangelistic? (Ch. 25)
How Do I Begin Conversations about Spiritual Matters? (Ch. 28)
What Is The Best Way to Witness to Family Members and Close Friends? (Ch. 29)
What Do I Do When Someone Says He Wants To Follow Jesus? (Ch. 31)
What Do I Do When Someone Says He Doesn’t Want To Follow Jesus? (Ch. 32)

The book contains an ongoing conversation between two men, Roberto, and Mark. Their dialog kicks off each chapter as a way of introducing the subject matter as Mark is mentored by Roberto. I know this approach is helpful to many, but I also know that others find this sort of presentation unnecessary. So if you don’t need it, skip to Payne’s words for the meat of each chapter.

I really like J.D.’s book, and will recommend it to people at our church. If you desire to be the witness God has called you to be, but have questions or anxieties, this book is for you. Check it out.

Three other titles that I highly recommend are Jerram Barrs, The Heart of Evangelism, J.I. Packer’s, Evangelism and The Sovereignty of God, and Solomon Stoddard’s, A Guide to Christ.

Has Steve McCoy written one of the most important blog post pastors will read this year? I think he just might have done it. Read it. Read it thoughtfully. Take it seriously. You may not agree with it, but do not dismiss it.

Steve asks,

What if evangelicals hit America with 200, or 500, or 1,000 theologically strong, gospel-centered pastors who start preaching in open-air and public places in their cities, beyond their Sunday morning worship services, at least once a week for the rest of 2011? What would happen?

I know that sounds crazy, unrealistic, and dated to most, but go and read all of his thoughts on the subject. Ponder them, and join the conversation over there.

Last week I was hanging out at one of our local cigar shops. I’ve been a patron at this particular tobacconist for 10 years. It is the kind of place you want to hang out at with exposed brick, leather chairs, a great selection of cigars and pipe tobacco, and amazing staff. I have found it to be a fantastic place to meet other men, have great conversations, and of course it’s one of those rare places in Chicagoland where you can actually enjoy a cigar or pipe.

I was in there with another member of Redeemer and four other people I had never met. They were twentysomethings who were having a lively conversation filled with hard opinions and passionate convictions. I thought to myself, “This crowd would probably be up for some God-talk.” But I didn’t even have to bring it up. One of them asked if I was a DJ (Don’t ask me why). Of course I replied with surprised sincerity, “I am a DJ!” They said, “No way!” And I said, “No, I’m actually a pastor of a church here in town.”

Then, one of the young men jumped right into theology, asking something like this,

Explain this to me. You have two men. One man is a good man who pays his taxes, is kind to his neighbors, good to his family, works hard, and doesn’t cheat. But he doesn’t believe in Jesus. Another man is a bad man who lies, cheats, steals, and is all around horrible to everyone. But this last guy asks God to forgive him at the end of his life. So, the bad guy goes to heaven for accepting Jesus, and the good guy to hell because he isn’t Christian?

It was a great conversation that allowed me to unpack the gospel by explaining (seriously summarized here) that civil righteousness does not commend us to God, since even if we are better in conduct than another man, we all worship idols, put ourselves before God and others, and are all guilty before God for our sins. All of us are justly condemned for sin and unbelief, but all are offered forgiveness, life and restoration in Jesus. We must believe in him to find it. I explained that a person will go to hell on account of his own sin, or will have peace with God on account of the righteousness of Christ.

Such conversations do not typically set themselves up like that, but I am praying and looking for more opportunities this week.

[This is not a post to debate the issue of tobacco, so please stay on topic in the comments. Thanks.]

So last night our ministry assistant was sitting in her car in the grocery store parking lot when a man approached the driver’s side window, and knocked. She cautiously opened it a crack and the man threw in a letter and ran away. BOOM! – she just got evangelized! If poorly.

I think it’s fair to say that this guy stinks at evangelism. I mean, he does get the content right: loving and holy God; sinful and accountable man; the redemption that can only be found through the shed blood of Jesus; the need to repent and believe. Good stuff. And decent penmanship (I give him points for that). But the method is weak. I think an Evangeletter™ could work well (after all, much of the Bible is made up of “letters”), but it would presume some kind of relationship. So here we have a good message, but a flawed method and messenger. And to be honest, that sounds like me. Sure this guy stinks at evangelism, but you probably do too.

What I like about this guy is that he’s trying – which is a lot more than most Christians do. He took the time to write a letter explaining the gospel and he gave it to someone. Sure, I want him to start real-life conversations, and build relationships with people, but at least he’s making an attempt. And here’s the thing – God can use this guy’s screwed-up evangelism. Just like he used Wesley’s screwed up evangelism. And Whitefield’s. And mine. There has only ever been one perfect Evangelist who never misspoke, never used a bad illustration or never unintentionally left people confused about the Kngdom of God. Compared to Jesus, we all stink at evangelism.

And this doesn’t freak me out because I believe that it is God who brings a man from spiritual death to life. It is the sovereign grace of our Lord that opens the heart so that people will respond to the gospel. He is the one who causes us to be born again through the word – the Good News. So, on the one hand I know that God does not convert anyone apart from the hearing of the gospel, and yet I do not believe another’s salvation rests upon my ability to persuade him. Simply put, we share the gospel (in imperfect ways), God does the saving. And this gives me great hope.

So, Mr. Secret Evangeletter Guy – I am happy that you are working to make the gospel known, and I hope you will work hard to do it in biblically governed, culturally appropriate ways. But more than that I hope the rest of us will be encouraged by your willingness to try.