This title of this article is not original with me. Many of you will recognize it as the title of a book authored by R. B. Kuiper in 1961, in which he makes a pica for “God-centered” rather than “man-centered” evangelism. If you have read the book, you know that he presents on its pages a theology of evangelism, based on the infallible Word of God. If you haven‘t read it, 1 suggest that it would be worth your time and money to get a copy and read it.
“Evangelism,” writes Prof. Kuiper, “is simply the promulgation of the evangel,” or the good news of the gospel. It involves the bringing of the gospel to the unsaved wherever they are. Though historically some have distinguished between missions and evangelism, there is really very little justification for that distinction. Whether we are concerned to bring the gospel to the unsaved who are far away, or to our next door neighbor, the message is the same—the gospel.
J. H. Bavinck, in his book entitled An Introduction to the Science of Missions, defines “missions” in these words: “Missions is that activity of the church—in essence it is nothing else than an activity of Christ, exercised through the church—through which the church in this interim period, in which the end is postponed, calls the peoples of the earth to repentance and to faith in Christ, so that they may be made His disciples and through baptism be incorporated into the fellowship of those who await the coming of the kingdom” (p. 62). Aside from the reference to dispensationalism, that definition is a good one and may be applied to evangelism as well as missions.
Evangelism is one of those things of which it can be said that we do a considerable amount of talking, but leave something to be desired in action. There can be no argument about the fact that it is the sacred duty of the church to bring the gospel to mankind. In fact, that it is a duty which falls upon the shoulders of every Christian, is implied in the universal prophethood of all believers. Not everyone will be involved in the same way, but no Christian can escape confessing Christ before men.
One of the most difficult things in evangelism, however, is finding a satisfactory method or approach. Aside from the everyday confession that a Christian makes of his faith, even while at his work for example, I am referring more specifically to the organized effort of a church (as a group of Christians) to reach into a community with the gospel. How can that most effectively be accomplished?
Whatever the method, we must remember that it is only a “method” or a “tool” toward the accomplishment of an end, namely, to bring the gospel to the unsaved. With our best organized “methods” and well-worked-out procedures, we do not have the power to convert people or change their hearts. But it is important for us to be the best tool possible.
Several years ago, the Board of Home Missions of the Christian Reformed Church began a program now referred to as C.E.T., Congregational Evangelism Training. This program is an adaptation of a program developed by Dr. J. Kennedy in the Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., commonly known as Evangelism Explosion.
It has been my privilege to participate in both a local C.E.T. Seminar and one of the Evangelism Explosion Clinics in Ft. Lauderdale. Among all the “tools” or “methods” of evangelism for the local congregation to which I have been exposed, this one has to be given a very high rating. I say that for several reasons.
First of all, it is God-centered. Oh yes, it can be made man-centered, as can any method, if not properly used. But it is based upon the premise that only the Holy Spirit has the power to change hearts and lives. Through it the basic facts of the Bible about God and man are presented in an orderly and meaningful way. There is no holding back of conversation about the reality of man’s sin and his inability to save himself, nor of the sovereign grace of God which alone can bring salvation.
Secondly, it gives a well-organized presentation of the gospel, which still permits flexibility. It is possible, of course, for the presentation of the gospel to he “canned.” That, however, is not the fault of the method, but of the person using it. If a person is only going to mouth what has been learned from memory, then his message will be “canned” no matter what the method. The intent of this program is not to make a machine out of you, but to provide a tool which will better equip you to use the gifts and abilities God has given.
Thirdly, it provides “on-the-job” training while accomplishing the purpose of proclaiming the evangel. Teams of three people, one trainer and two trainees, make the calls. The trainees not only do classroom work, but become familiar with the program while observing it in operation. That is a tremendous opportunity for those who say they don’t know how to bring the gospel. This method has the added advantage of multiplying the number of trainers.
Fourthly, there is a strong emphasis on follow-up. In the lack of fellowship many evangelism efforts break down. But if this program is adhered to as outlined, there will be the faithful follow-up which is vitally important to the person involved.
If you are looking for a means to carryon evangelism in yOur neighborhood or community, then I would recommend that you look into C.E.T. It is only a tool, of course, and it will be no better than the person who uses it; but it may be jllst the thing to get you started in an exciting task that otherwise makes you very fearful and from which you shy away. Correspondence with the Board of Home–Missions will give you all the information you need.
Evangelism? God-centered evangelism? Oh yes, “of all Christians, we have the strongest motive for evangelism. Of all Christians we have the gladdest message of evangelism. Let us, then, be up and doing, bending our every effort to the hastening of the day when the knowledge of the Lord will fill the earth as the waters cover the sea” (Is. 11:9)! (To Be Or Not To Be Reformed, R B. Kuiper, p. 87.)