While some people experience dramatic conversion experiences
after a single presentation of the gospel, many do not. All people are on a journey, and we Christians need
evangelism strategies that meet people at various points along their
journeys. More than strategies, however,
we need relationships. Jim (currently a pastor) and Matt (currently
an atheist) give us a picture of what such a relationship can look like in Saving Casper.
I cringed as Matt Casper related some of his experiences
with those seeking to reach him with the gospel. Many of them seemed all too eager to tell him
he was going to hell, while few bothered to see Matt as a human being much like
themselves. Respect seems to be the
missing ingredient in many evangelism efforts.
When I consider how Jesus approached people, as recorded in
the Bible, I don’t see Him hitting people and telling them all about the hell
for which they were bound. Yes, He
taught about hell; but when we see Him with individuals, we see how He saw them
as unique people. He cared about their
families, their sorrows, their illnesses--and their eternal souls. We should follow his example. Matt Casper points out how confusing it is
for someone on the outside to look at Christians and not see them doing what
even he, an atheist, knows Jesus told them to do.
Please read and share Saving Casper. Then build some relationships with people of
all beliefs. Respect them, learn about
them, and let them see Jesus in you.
I received a free review copy of this book from Tyndale
Publishers.
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