A Liberal Christian’s View of Evangelism

39 CommentsFamous Lost Words, PERSECUTED!

Question: When is a Christian most like an atheist?

Answer: When that Christian is a liberal Christian.

I happened upon an article critical of my evangelism training ideas from a blog called “Confessions of a Former Conservative.” The writer took issue with my coaching of evangelists at a Christmas Parade. Here’s a sample of what we do:

One of the things that the Former Conservative hates is that we hand out tracts. This is what he wrote:

You see when I go to parades there is this long progression of people who wish to hand me pieces of paper advertising crude word deleted that I don’t care about. About 50% of these are related to a church or some kind of tract. The first thing I do when returning home from a parade is do a great purge of all the crude word deleted handed to me by random people, because I don’t want to take karate classes for 7 year olds nor do I want to attend the Sword of the Lord Pentecostal Bible Faith and Freedom Church.

The fact that you make your kids do this crude word deleted creeps me out, Steve. Why don’t you let your kids be kids and enjoy a Christmas parade like normal children would instead of making them go around handing out religious propaganda? Allow your kids to have a normal childhood. I have wonderful memories of everything surrounding the Christmas season as a child. Somehow I doubt your kids will have the same, because you’ve made Christmas parades about harassing strangers.

As I read his article, which is well-written, I smiled and shook my head. As a liberal Christian the writer has no belief in Hell, therefore, there is no urgency to get the Good News out because everyone ends up in Heaven.

When it came to our evangelists preaching the 10 Commandments to the spectators to show the nature of sin, Former Conservative would have none of it.

My how festive! You’re just like Linus in a Charlie Brown Christmas if Linus was a holier than thou expletive deleted instead of an adorable little child.

“You’re going to hell for being a filthy thief and that’s what the true meaning of Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown!”

Though he takes me to task for using rather unorthodox methods when evangelizing, the real bottom line of his criticism is that he thinks I don’t need to share my faith. It’s a waste of time. Why bother?

Again, when is a Christian most like an atheist?

“Have you no wish for others to be saved?
Then you are not saved yourself.
Be sure of that.”
—Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892)

Read his two part critical analysis of my evangelizing  by clicking here for part one, and here for part two. (Caution: Because of his liberal views about faith, you will find some PG-13 language in the articles.)

 

Comments (39)

  1. A Soldier for Jesus

    Reply

    I was raised in the Untied Methodist Church, my father was a pastor. (Yes, I mis-spelled Untied on purpose.) After my eyes were opened, I was in stunned amazement at the sheep in there. They wanted a form of Godliness through the rituals and “See, I go to church!”, but not the power or conviction. The last church I attended in that denomination had a pastor who would gossip about members with the church secretary, a teacher of adult Sunday School who was not a member, did not tithe there, and was an agnostic at best. They cringed when I spoke up in class because I knew more Bible than they did — and that ain’t right! I just happened to read the Bible, listen to good sermons and read good books, and was surprised that everyone else didn’t do the same. So, sure, none of what you have here is surprising to me.

    Ever notice how these liberals will get downright vicious and act distinctly un-Christian when they attack people like you who are on the front lines, being obedient to the Word?

    • carl

      Reply

      “Ever notice how these liberals will get downright vicious and act distinctly un-Christian when they attack people like you who are on the front lines, being obedient to the Word?”

      AMEN A Soldier 4 Jesus.

      Thank you for standing up for Steve and every other evangelist and speaking the TRUTH!

      Steve and Righteous Richard are being obedient to the Word and God bless them for it.

      • A Soldier for Jesus

        Carl, Thanks for the kind words (unless I’m being dense and missing sarcasm). I’ve written articles about how people with a liberal view of Scripture will attack those who actually believe the Bible. Perhaps it is a conscience thing? Also, I do not know which “side” is liberal, but I have also written about how the Calvinists and Arminians are attacking each other, putting pride, strife and division over nonessentials above John 13.35.

      • carl

        Soldier for Jesus,

        No sarcasm. 🙂

        You have an interesting blog. Keep posting and keep up the good work.. Judging by some of the comments being made by the atheist contingent you must really be burning their marshmellows.

      • Nohm

        carl wrote: “Judging by some of the comments being made by the atheist contingent you must really be burning their marshmellows.”

        Ehhh… not in the way that you might think.

    • phil

      Reply

      Soldier for Jesus,

      I have noticed similar activities by atheists and antireligious liberals. They will support free speech for almost any other group but a religious group. Once a person starts talking about the Bible, Jesus or the Gospel they become incensed and go on the offensive. That’s just my observation.

      • Nohm

        Hi phil,

        Please give an example. I have not seen what you are talking about.

      • A Soldier for Jesus

        Phil, your observation is very accurate. I documented similar things at Stormbringer’s Thunder, including homosexuals rioting in churches and atheists defending their intolerance of Christians speaking up.

      • phil

        thank you A Soldier for Jesus. I will have to check out Stormbringer’s Thunder.

      • Really?

        Personally I think all religions should be practiced in the cupboard to prevent further violence, bigotry, and wars. (Neither atheism nor agnosticism is a religion)

        Evidence:
        Southern baptists and abortion doctors, Westboro Baptist Church and everyone but 50 people go to hell, and extremists fighting and causing general problems.

  4. carl

    Reply

    Steve when you read the tirades of the atheists you have to remember the hip hop saying, “Haterz gonna Hate!”.

    Then drop down like Tim Tebow because you are thankful you know the truth!

    God bless Steve.

  5. Richard Chavarria

    Reply

    Sure was fun handing out gospel tracts on Saturday at the Whittier Christmas Parade. Like Pastor Steve said, “It is so easy.” While passing out tracts, folks would tap us on the shoulder or say, “Can I have another one for my…” God Bless Whittier and God Bless America.

    Merry Christmas everyone.

  6. phil

    Reply

    Steve,

    I have read some comments from atheists condemning you for the activities that you do with your children. Based upon what I have read and the pictures I have seen, your children look happy and are enjoying not only spending time with their father but sharing the Gospel of Jesus.

    I hope you do take all of their criticism with a grain of salt. I pray that God empowers and emboldens you as you spread His message. Don’t allow the atheists to discourage you.

  7. A Soldier for Jesus

    Reply

    “It doesn’t bother you that everything your bible says doesn’t jive with history or archeology or biology.”

    Everything, huh? Care to substantiate your accusation? I am so glad that a wandering atheists who stops by to comment is so much more knowledgeable than all those credentialed historians, archaeologists and scientists.

    Steve, next time, consult with random Internet disbelievers before you write your articles so they do not make you feel like crude word deleted, OK?

  8. josie

    Reply

    “Have you no wish for others to be saved?
    Then you are not saved yourself.
    Be sure of that.”
    —Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892)

    Pastor Steve that is a wonderful quote. If only atheists understood that it is out of love for our Savior Jesus Christ, obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ and our love for our fellow human beings that Christians such as you and your friends go out onto the sidewalks and streets to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus.

    I’m praying that the atheists show you a little more compassion, understanding and respect.

  9. Steve Sanchez Has A Posse

    Reply

    Steve if you are ever feeling discouraged by the onslaught of sophomoric atheist attacks, know that you have a lot of supporters.

    • BathTub

      Reply

      Are you kidding? He loves the attention, it’s a common trait of evangelicals, notice how this blog is posted under persecution? Disagreement with one means you are persecuting them just like Jesus was persecuted, proving the bible right!

      • A Soldier for Jesus

        No, persecution is persecution. Disagreement is disagreement. We know the difference. However, we also know when atheists are actively engaging in persecution, as the world has seen when atheists gain significant political power. Ever heard of Richard Wurmbrand? The Soviet Union? Mao?

      • BathTub

        Then please lay out the case for the blog entry that Steve is writing about constitutes Persecution…..

  10. BathTub

    Reply

    Oh that ‘cool persecution’ rears it’s ugly head again! You’re just like Jesus Steve!

    • carl

      Reply

      BathTub

      When a blog like yours has over a hundred pages dedicated to making fun of Steve don’t you think that is persecution?

      Would you like it if someone created a blog where they and their friends pick apart everything you do and make fun of you?

      • Nohm

        “When a blog like yours has over a hundred pages dedicated to making fun of Steve don’t you think that is persecution?”

        Carl, you appear to use a lot of hyperbole and exaggeration to try to make your point. I find that to be dishonest.

        Read through those pages, and you’ll see that it’s not all about making fun of Steve.

      • Nohm

        “It’s what atheists do: Since you cannot refute the message with logic, attempt to destroy the messenger.”

        Can you give an example of this, or are you tarring people with a broad brush?

        Support, or please retract.

    • BathTub

      Reply

      I’ll repost my deleted post.

      I don’t have a blog.

      I note no one has responded to how this blog that Steve is blogging about equals persecution.

  11. Thomas Moore

    Reply

    Jim, what evidence do you have that what you believe is the truth?

    Pastor Steve-don’t quit, don’t quit, don’t quit! God bless you and your team!!!

  12. Rebecca

    Reply

    Steve, I don’t self-identify as a liberal Christian, but am not a fundamentalist either. I’m Episcopalian, and generally orthodox in the faith.

    I certainly feel that all Christians should be about sharing the love of Christ, and care about people coming to faith. It does seem to me though that we are all not going to be the same, and will have different ways of doing this.

    I think if you feel that God is calling you to pass out tracts at a parade then you should go ahead and do this. How can we judge one another in this really? Our allegiance and obedience is to God.

    But, for myself, personally, and I’m speaking only for myself. I could be wrong. I question whether in our time and culture this is really the best way to get the “good news,” out there. It seems to turn most people off more often than not. How many people in our country are truly not familiar with the gospel? There are churches on every corner. Bibles in every bookstore. Christian radio and television everywhere.

    I think it is generally better to speak of the love of God in Christ, and to reflect that in our lives, to build relationships with people, and out of that share our faith as we sense people are open and searching.

    Again, just my personal conviction. If I’m wrong about this, may God show me otherwise. Thank you for your heart for God, and desire for people to know our Lord, Steve.

    Your sister,
    Rebecca.

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