Jeremy Carr interacts with a quote often flung about in today’s church culture:
That quote is often attributed to St. Francis of Assisi though he probably never said it. While it commends us to live out the Gospel through our life, it falls short of what it means to preach the Gospel and it actually makes no sense at all. I recently heard D. A. Carson comment that it would be like telling a news reporter to “Give the news and if necessary use words.” After all Gospel means good news. News is something you tell people.
Ed Stetzer has said it would be like telling people to feed the poor and if necessary use food. At a minimum . . .
Read the rest here.
See also, J.D. Greear, “Tell me your phone number, if necessary use digits.”
I love this post. Thank you. I have heard this used in a public school setting since teachers are sometimes told that they cannot share their faith. One person told me that she just tried to serve and hoped that they would see Christ in her through her service without her ever sharing the gospel with words. However, another teacher deliberately tried to read books and provoke discussions where these types of questions could be presented and she could share her faith. She was presented with many opportunities when she was seeking them out. It seems to me that the latter approach shows boldness and a true love and compassion for those in need.
Thanks for this Chris. I could not agree more that the Gospel has content that must be conveyed with the tools of thought every human mind has available, namely, words. And, behind the words are events (Christ’s crucifixion/resurrection), people (God, Jesus, you, me, others), meaning (redemption, sin, hope, etc.), and substance (e.g., reconciliation, forgiveness, relationship with God).
However, IMO the contemporary spirit in which this expression is used should not go unnoticed. We need a context in which this content can be received. As Joe Aldrich once said (see Lifestyle Evangelism) “people don’t care how much we know until they know how much we care.” Many times we have to cultivate relationships with others to earn the right to be heard. Given that the Gospel comprehensively impacts all of life, caring for my 2-yr-old grandson when he gets an “owie” from falling down is, in some small way, preaching the Gospel.
Just thinking….
Paul – – I don’t disagree at all. As a pastor, I have really learned that this is the case. Both points need to be stressed. My concern would be that some think Words are optional and usually not necessary.
Maybe it should be – – Preach the Gospel at all times and at the right times always use Words.