What is the Ultimate Goal of Evangelism

[in_terra_pax]

How would you answer the subject question?

[Jacob]

Yesterday @ 04:21 PM post located here (http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=116530#post116530)
in_terra_pax:

How would you answer the subject question?

To glorify God by flaunting His righteousness, truth, mercy, and grace.


Jacob

[FirstSunday33ad]

To bring the word of Christ to the lost so on hearing they can turn and be saved.

:solly:

[JardinPrayer]

Today @ 04:47 PM post located here (http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=117683#post117683)
FirstSunday33ad:

To bring the word of Christ to the lost so on hearing they can turn and be saved.

:solly:

I'm with this definition.

[in_terra_pax]

Thanks for the replies. I was beginning to wonder if my posts are even visible to anyone else. ;)

It may seem like an odd question, but someone challenged me as to what the ultimate goal of evangelism really is, and the answer he provided was a surprise to me. So I just wanted to see how other confessing Christians might answer.

Just for the purposes of discussion, this is a rough categorization of the answers I've received to this question so far, in no particular order but grouped somewhat:

1. Conversion of the unbeliever to Christ.
1a. Salvation of as many as possible.
1b. Salvation of the elect.
1c. Condemnation of the reprobate.

2. Share the Gospel.
2a. Bring the Gospel to all.
2b. Bring the Gospel to those that God wills.
2c. Make Jesus Christ known to all.

3. Demonstration of obedience to God.
3a. Honored participation in God's salvific plan.

4. Formation of the Christian Community.
4a. Creation of a functioning body of worshippers
4b. Growth of the Body of Christ
4c. Building of confessional church membership
4d. Make disciples for Christ

5. Development of mature Christians.
5a. Sanctification of the individual

6. Restoration of the Kingdom

7. Glorification of God

These could all be said to be goals or objectives of evangelism, with some depending on one's theology. But can any of these be said to be the ultimate goal or is there, perhaps, some goal that no one has mentioned yet (and which might be considered "the ultimate.")

[JardinPrayer]

I was surprised to find this definition in a secular online dictionary:

e·van·gel·ism
n.
Zealous preaching and dissemination of the gospel, as through missionary work.
Militant zeal for a cause.

Gee whiz. That last part knocked me for a loop!

Seems to me that the reactions you got that talk about building a mature body of Christ is more the work of the pastor/preacher/teacher than the evangelist. Evangelism, to my mind, is going out and telling those who have not yet heard the Gospel for purposes of bringing them to salvation. And, by "not yet heard," I include those who have heard but do not have ears to hear.

Making a judgement to evangelize only to God's elect just makes no sense to me...how does the evangelist know who those people are? And, as for condemnation of the reprobate...gee...I guess that fits the second definition above. Interesting.

Blessings and peace,
JardinPrayer

[b488]

Hello

Yes, I agree with Jardin on this one, too. I find the calling of the elect and condemning the reprobate thingy a litte too 'otherworldly' to be of any use to explaining the necessity/goal of evangelism. I think that how one answers the question undoubtably colors how one goes about doing the work of evangelism.

Of all those listed above, i would have to agree most with "make christ known to all" and with that, " share in the mystery of advancing the Kingdom of God." (as opposed to the choice given, "Restoration of the Kingdom." which makes no sense to me whatever.)

Ciao! :smile:

[Jacob]

06-04-2003 @ 05:49 PM post located here (http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=117827#post117827)
in_terra_pax:

Just for the purposes of discussion, this is a rough categorization of the answers I've received to this question so far, in no particular order but grouped somewhat:

1. ...
...
7. Glorification of God

These could all be said to be goals or objectives of evangelism, with some depending on one's theology. But can any of these be said to be the ultimate goal or is there, perhaps, some goal that no one has mentioned yet (and which might be considered "the ultimate.")

The reason I answered "Glorification of God", is that this is the ultimate end of each believer's life, as well as the ultimate purpose of the Church, as well as the ultimate end of creation. Here's 2 passages showing this purpose.

Rom 9:21 Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use?
Rom 9:22 What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction?
Rom 9:23 And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory,


Col 1:25 Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God,
Col 1:26 that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints,
Col 1:27 to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Rom 3:7 But if through my lie the truth of God abounded to His glory, why am I also still being judged as a sinner?

Rom 5:2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

Rom 11:36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. (read this in context).

1Co 10:31 Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

And the list could go on...


Jacob

[mickiel]

Any realistic view of this world proves as such. It is uneffective because it is not the will of the unstoppable God. It is simply the interpitation of man, which is why it is basically a failure to the whole of creation.

[Homie]

06-13-2003 @ 04:05 AM post located here (http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=121602#post121602)
mickiel:

Any realistic view of this world proves as such. It is uneffective because it is not the will of the unstoppable God. It is simply the interpitation of man, which is why it is basically a failure to the whole of creation.

Not at all. It is the will of God. Do you not remember what his Son Jesus said, he commanded us to go out and make the gospel known.

[berated]

It has been asked: What is the ultimate goal of evangelism?" I therefore offer this as an answer to those already given.
"...now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore , we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."



"...walk humbly with thy God...."

[berated]

Please pardon my editing skills, and lack of memory. The quote above is 2Cor.5:18-20




Micah 6:8

[mickiel]

How would you answer the subject question?



Its goal is to pacify a deep rooted christian pathology that believes itself to be in control of the salvation of others.

[lee_merrill]

John gives his reason!

1 John 1:3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us.

He wants them to come share along with them! Let's have dinner, living bread and living water, and new wine...

Blessings,
Lee

[mickiel]

John gives his reason!

1 John 1:3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us.

He wants them to come share along with them! Let's have dinner, living bread and living water, and new wine...

Blessings,
Lee



Oh they may have fellowship, but nothing that lives in flesh can spiritually open the mind of another human being. No human can convert another human. No human can give another human the Holy Spirit. No human can spirituall call another human to Christ. The calling of God is done by God-- period.

[Cyrus of Persia]

Very shortly: Reuniting a lost man with God.

[tiffanyh]

One of the discussions we had in a class I took one time was along the lines of:

SENT before TELL
TELL before HEAR
HEAR before BELIEVE
BELIEVE before CALL

As Christians, we are sent to share the good news of God's kindness ... isn't evangelism the telling part that follows?

If nobody tells people, they won't hear and they won't then have a chance to believe or then to call upon the Lord.

[Amazing Rando]

One of the discussions we had in a class I took one time was along the lines of:

SENT before TELL
TELL before HEAR
HEAR before BELIEVE
BELIEVE before CALL

As Christians, we are sent to share the good news of God's kindness ... isn't evangelism the telling part that follows?

If nobody tells people, they won't hear and they won't then have a chance to believe or then to call upon the Lord.

I think that the verbal "telling" is only part of the whole picture. "Showing" is also important! :thumb:

[Champagne]

But why does God place the responsibility for others' salvation or hearing the gospel on humans? If no Christian were to ever evangelize, does that mean that no one would ever become a Christian bc God HAS to use humans to spread his message? Why can't he just appear to everyone like he did to Paul on the way to Damascus?
It seems a huge responsibility for humans to not only ensure their own salvation but also be responsible for ensuring others' salvation as well.

[Pilgrim]

To glorify God.

[mickiel]

To glorify God.




To glorify the ego of christianity.Explain to yourself this simple truth; what human can do anything better than the Holy Spirit of God? Now, when a person is truly converted, explain to me what part in that another human has played. Now the act of trying to insert another human into the conversion process, is simply ego-centric evangelism, or men trying to usurp the job of the Spirit.

This is another reason religon is so fake, they are trying to play God.

[Pilgrim]

You know, Mic, you really shouldn't try to explain things you have no understanding of. It just confuses the issue.

[mickiel]

You know, Mic, you really shouldn't try to explain things you have no understanding of. It just confuses the issue.



If I didnot try to explain what I do not understand, I could hardly explain anything because I understand nothing. The bible does not teach evangelism, and the few times it occured, the Holy Spirit was doing it, not people. But of course, I don't complettely understand the bible either. The bible teaches preaching and teaching "only as a witness", not as a giant conversion effort toward mankind.

If God wanted the world converted at this time, nothing could stop that. He does not, and it is not. You can evangelize until your blue in the face, none can be converted unless God wills it. But of course, this is just how I understand it to be.

[Pilgrim]

If I didnot try to explain what I do not understand, I could hardly explain anything because I understand nothing. The bible does not teach evangelism, and the few times it occured, the Holy Spirit was doing it, not people. But of course, I don't complettely understand the bible either. The bible teaches preaching and teaching "only as a witness", not as a giant conversion effort toward mankind.

If God wanted the world converted at this time, nothing could stop that. He does not, and it is not. You can evangelize until your blue in the face, none can be converted unless God wills it. But of course, this is just how I understand it to be.
It sounds to me that you have not read the Bible then. What about:

- the sending of the 70?
- the sending of the 12?
- Christ's phrase: "You will be my witnessess in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the Earth?"
- Heck, the context of the Pauline Epistles teaches this itself. I mean, Paul writes this stuff as he travels on his missionary journeys.


Of course I agree that full understanding is something that no one ever reaches this side of paradise. But still, have just a bit of knowledge on something if you're going to try to instuct others about it. Otherwise you just come across as condescending, arrogant and foolish.

[tiffanyh]

I think that the verbal "telling" is only part of the whole picture. "Showing" is also important! :thumb:

I agree :smile:

[Chief of Staff Lizard]

To glorify God.

:yeahthat:

[mickiel]

It sounds to me that you have not read the Bible then. What about:

- the sending of the 70?
- the sending of the 12?
- Christ's phrase: "You will be my witnessess in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the Earth?"
- Heck, the context of the Pauline Epistles teaches this itself. I mean, Paul writes this stuff as he travels on his missionary journeys.






When simple english grammar cannot explain truth, then it is not meant to be understood by the mind. Jesus stated" you shall be my Witnesses". Is it possible for you to comprehend what a witness of something is? They were Jesus witnesses, they saw HIM do things, and testified of those things. Not to convert others, but to preach a gospel of a comming kingdom. You christians take this totally out of context because you think God is trying to convert the world through you. This is not true, but even if it were, you have failed miseralbly. The results of evangelism worldwide is pathectic.




Of course I agree that full understanding is something that no one ever reaches this side of paradise. But still, have just a bit of knowledge on something if you're going to try to instuct others about it. Otherwise you just come across as condescending, arrogant and foolish.




I am condesecending, arrogant and foolish, and do not deny as being as such.

somethingelse, you have no ideal of what my knowledge is. You make a serious assumption in thinking I am unaware.

Its just that the knowledge I possess is not for christians. Just evades the likes of your mind.

[berated]

MIC'
The statement in your post that "...the knowledge I possess is not for Christians....", brings to mind three points:
1. The statement is extremely arrogrant
2. Your pride sounds wounded
3. If 'your knowledge' is not for Christians, then why are you here?

It sounds as though your religion is a type of "mystery religion", of the type which existed during the time of the Early Church, the adherents of which possessed 'special' knowledge outsiders could not fathom.
Others have shared that which you yourself have said you do not understand. And yet, you treat the knowledge of their experience as falsehood. How logical is that?
If in point of fact as you say, "...the Bible does not teach evangelism...", neither by way of witnessing or by lifestyle -supposing that you're fully aware of Jesus' command to "...go make disciples of all nations...."- then that which Christians have done throughout the ages, has been in direct disobedience to God.
I babble as though ignorant: If your knowledge is not for Christians, then conversly, the knowledge of Christians must not be for you.

[Pilgrim]

I am condesecending, arrogant and foolish, and do not deny as being as such.

somethingelse, you have no ideal of what my knowledge is. You make a serious assumption in thinking I am unaware.

Its just that the knowledge I possess is not for christians. Just evades the likes of your mind.

Yeah, that's the sort of thing most people say when they are shown to be wrong. It's quite an easy way out for you so I understand. It still doesn't explain how you got the scriptural mandates for evangelism so wrong. I mean, that has nothing to do with interpretation, it's just simple fact.

[mickiel]

MIC'
The statement in your post that "...the knowledge I possess is not for Christians....", brings to mind three points:
1. The statement is extremely arrogrant

I have admitted to being arrogant.



2. Your pride sounds wounded

My whole life is wounded.

3. If 'your knowledge' is not for Christians, then why are you here?


Its not to share my knowledge, only to dispute yours. I could careless about convincing others of my beliefs. I am here to dispute traditional knowledge of God.



It sounds as though your religion is a type of "mystery religion", of the type which existed during the time of the Early Church, the adherents of which possessed 'special' knowledge outsiders could not fathom.
Others have shared that which you yourself have said you do not understand. And yet, you treat the knowledge of their experience as falsehood. How logical is that?


I am in no religon, I have no church, I am in no organized group, and no loose knit group either. Its just me. I think it is mysterious how traditional religon dominates the mind of mankind. In my view, all knowledge of God is false. And until he opens mankind to truth, it will continue to be as such.


If in point of fact as you say, "...the Bible does not teach evangelism...", neither by way of witnessing or by lifestyle -supposing that you're fully aware of Jesus' command to "...go make disciples of all nations...."- then that which Christians have done throughout the ages, has been in direct disobedience to God.
I babble as though ignorant: If your knowledge is not for Christians, then conversly, the knowledge of Christians must not be for you.


A disciple is a worker in an established way of thinking. Jesus was instructing them to make only a few, NOT to convert the world. If Jesus is trying to convert mankind, he has failed.

The knowledge of christians is surely not for me. Traditional knowledge of God is totally useless. Thats why Jesus said those who have it worship him in vain.

The only thing christians have done throughout the ages is show how the mind of mankind can create without God, an illousion of spiritual truths that can establish a whole lifestyle based on human righteousness, and never really submit themselves to the righteousness of God.

[mickiel]

Yeah, that's the sort of thing most people say when they are shown to be wrong. It's quite an easy way out for you so I understand. It still doesn't explain how you got the scriptural mandates for evangelism so wrong. I mean, that has nothing to do with interpretation, it's just simple fact.



You may think deception is simple, it is not. Their is a whole level of righteousness that EXIST WITHIN the mind of the one deceived. A deceived person simply BELIEVES they are right, or see the scriptures correctly. Anyone who thinks salvation is based on evangelism, is deceived. Anyone who thinks God set up evangelism as a tool to convert others, is deceived. Anyone who thinks evangelism is something the Spirit uses to draw men to God, is deceived.

John 6:44, 3:27, well, its no use using scripture on christians. You are simply blind to them. You think God calls people to himself by using other people. That is an intrique self-righteous deception. It is a way of decevied people to magnify themselves, not God. It is man giving himself a god-like power. The only way a mind can receive things of God, is from God DIRECTLY, there ARE NO INBETWEENS. But the EGO of religon has created many inbetweens. When God opens the mind, one finds that truth looks nothing like what everyonelse sees. Its always been like this, and always will be. The calling of God is just a matter of time, and it will include everyone. Thats the gospel christians cannot see.