This brief article suggests just one of the challenging reasons as to why we should evangelize.
But how often do we evangelize? I confess that the question strikes a raw nerve with me. In previous posts we’ve discussed proselytism in light of what some religious pluralists have taught, and Pope Francis’ comments. The pope seemed to draw a distinction between what he called gentle evangelism through setting examples, and “aggressive” proselytism.
Do all unbelievers agree with him?
The following thoughts are from Rico Tice’s book Honest Evangelism. The book is an in-your-face challenge to those of us who do not actively evangelize the unsaved, whether family, friends or acquaintances. According to Tice, we should beware of living as “functional atheists” if we know hell to be real:
It is loving to warn people about hell. Some of the most striking words I’ve read about this are those of someone who isn’t a Christian, but who gets the point. He’s Penn Jilette, (of Penn and Teller, the magician double-act. Here’s what he said about evangelism, or proselytism:
I’ve always said that I don’t respect people who don’t proselytize. I don’t respect that at all. If you believe that there’s a heaven and a hell, and people could be going to hell or not getting eternal life, and you think that it’s not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward…how much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize?… I mean, if I believed, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that a truck was bearing down on you, and you didn’t believe that truck was bearing down on you, there is a certain point where I tackle you. And this is more important than that. ~ Honest Evangelism (p 38)
Does that bother you at all? I know it bothers me!
You can find more about Tice, and access helpful materials, at his website Christianity Explored Ministries. And HERE
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