I heard an interesting testimony tonight by a professor who was a former atheist. She noted that she was really "put-off" by "pushy" Christians. She was herself put-off by questions about what would happen if "she died tonight."
Somehow I found this encouraging.
You see, I hear these stories about Christian friends who sit next to a stranger on an airplane and between Cleveland and Charlotte they lead the stranger to Christ. On my last flight, from Seoul to Atlanta, I sat for over 12 hours next to a guy who spoke no English.
I've been trained by Cru and other ministries to share the 4 Spiritual Laws, the Bridge Illustration, the Roman Road, the Gospel using bracelets, and colors and books without words. It just turns out that in academe, where I work, those things aren't nearly as useful as the example set by Jesus with the Rich Young Ruler, or the the woman at the well or Nicodemus.
In acadame, you earn the right to share your beliefs. In acadame, you bide your time, you see your opportunity and you take it subtly and indirectly. You share Christ, not with Bible verses, but slowly by loving your enemies and by praying for those who persecute you, (Matt5:44).
Not to say that on occasion a more direct gospel may be effective, just there are more ways to evangelize colleagues and students, than a conventional direct evangelistic approach.
As St Francis is reputed to have said, "Wherever you go, preach the gospel, and if necessary, use words."
As we go, let us Share the Good News of Jesus Christ, and may we do it without speaking.
Somehow I found this encouraging.
You see, I hear these stories about Christian friends who sit next to a stranger on an airplane and between Cleveland and Charlotte they lead the stranger to Christ. On my last flight, from Seoul to Atlanta, I sat for over 12 hours next to a guy who spoke no English.
I've been trained by Cru and other ministries to share the 4 Spiritual Laws, the Bridge Illustration, the Roman Road, the Gospel using bracelets, and colors and books without words. It just turns out that in academe, where I work, those things aren't nearly as useful as the example set by Jesus with the Rich Young Ruler, or the the woman at the well or Nicodemus.
In acadame, you earn the right to share your beliefs. In acadame, you bide your time, you see your opportunity and you take it subtly and indirectly. You share Christ, not with Bible verses, but slowly by loving your enemies and by praying for those who persecute you, (Matt5:44).
Not to say that on occasion a more direct gospel may be effective, just there are more ways to evangelize colleagues and students, than a conventional direct evangelistic approach.
As St Francis is reputed to have said, "Wherever you go, preach the gospel, and if necessary, use words."
As we go, let us Share the Good News of Jesus Christ, and may we do it without speaking.
Very encouraging.
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