"RU Liken IT Yet!" <rulikenityet_221@NOThotmail.com> wrote in
news:14ccpk.v08.19.1@news.alt.net:

Lifestyle evangelism-by both the individual and the local church as
a whole-can be a decisive factor in witnessing to unbelievers.
However, one can't be saved without a knowledge of Jesus and His
work of atonement (Rom. 10:14-15). Sooner or later all people will
need to hear the gospel proclaimed.

I just wonder how many of you will be saved. Assuming for a moment
that your fables are true, do you really think your god is happy with
you? After all, he has set up an experiment called "free will" and is
testing everyone. And here you come along with your nagging and
bitching and in your face *****. Don't you thnk your god is getting
upset by you deliberately interfering with his experiment? How can
your god decide what constitutes a true failure of "free will" vs. a
denial based on your meddling? If you argue that your god knows
everything, the he will know us for the unbelievers that we are with
or without your help and you can LEAVE US ALONE.

If your god can't
predict the future, you are interfering with his experiment, going
against your god's wishes to truly test "free will" and so you will GO
TO HELL. What do you prefer?

--
My atheism, like that of Spinoza, is true piety towards the universe
and denies only gods fashioned by men in their own image,
to be servants of their human interests.
George Santayana

RU Liken IT Yet! wrote:

Lifestyle Evangelism

This is a book on apologetics, so we will not examine lifestyle evangelism
in detail. But I do want to make a few comments relevant to apologetics.
Apologetics can include long-term relationships with unbelievers. This
requires applying the principles of lifestyle evangelism.

We must remember that we are asking unbelievers to change their entire
view of reality-the fundamental way in which they see life. We are asking
them to move from one worldview to another, to forfeit their basic beliefs
and assumptions about religion and morality. This may take time. A
relationship with a committed Christian can be vital in order for their
questions to be answered and their doubts to be removed, and to help
them rethink their former beliefs, goals, and aspirations.

We must also realize that as Christians, we are always on stage before
unbelievers. Many people watch for opportunities to point out and criticize
our failures. Paul warns in 2 Timothy 3:12 that "everyone who wants to
live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."

But non-Christians also watch to see how we respond to life's challenges.
This can make a tremendous impact on unbelievers. If we demonstrate
through our lifestyles that we possess an inner strength and peace of mind
that the world can't offer, Christianity can become extremely appealing to
people who have never been responsive to direct witnessing
(proclamation).

The principle here is this: The life a Christian lives in the presence of an
unbeliever acts as a preview to what an unbeliever will see his life
becoming if he becomes a Christian. If we are legalistic, condemning, or
self-righteous, a non-Christian will not want to become a Christian
because that is what he will see himself becoming if he does.

For example, an untimely or thoughtless comment on smoking, drinking,
or watching R-rated movies nearly always will slam the door on
evangelism. It doesn't matter whether or not these behaviors are wrong.
Even worse, if we live a life more in harmony with the secular world than
with the kingdom of God, an unbeliever will judge all Christians as
hypocrites and believe that he or she was right all along in rejecting
Christianity.

The point is that many unbelievers will choose to accept or reject
Christianity on the basis of what they see-not what they hear. Even if we
are clumsy in sharing our faith, it is often what unbelievers observe that
draws them to Christ. If our lives reflect Jesus, it can create an interest in
Christianity and lead to opportunities to share the gospel at a later time.

I can use myself as an example. For nine years my family lived next door
to a Christian couple who not only "talked the talk" but also lived a
Christian lifestyle. When we first moved into the neighborhood, I thought I
was a Christian. I believed in God. I occasionally went to church. But I
didn't have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Observing my
neighbors-not just listening to what they said-was a major force
compelling me to attend church regularly and to eventually make a
personal commitment to the Lord.

Lifestyle evangelism-by both the individual and the local church as a
whole-can be a decisive factor in witnessing to unbelievers. However,
one can't be saved without a knowledge of Jesus and His work of
atonement (Rom. 10:14-15). Sooner or later all people will need to hear
the gospel proclaimed.

I'll give you an example of Christian evangelical behavior. A cleancut guy knocked on my door one morning and asked me to join
his Bible Study Group. I wasn't interested at the time, and told him that very politely. He then asked me, "Well, don't you
believe in God?" It happened to be one of my Jewish days, so I said I did, but not the way he did. I might even have said
something about not praying retail, through a middleman. He got offended, and stomped off.

For me, he will forever by the archetypical evangelical. If someone comes to me to talk about Jesus or whatever, I remember that
guy, and the intolerance that lurks just beneath the surface of his bland, clean-cut exterior. I have immunized my children
against his approach, and I have done my best to educate others.

[1]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

[1]Story, D. (1999). Engaging the closed minded : Presenting your faith to
the confirmed unbeliever (12). Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications.

RU Liken IT Yet! wrote:

Lifestyle Evangelism

This is a book on apologetics, so we will not examine lifestyle evangelism
in detail. But I do want to make a few comments relevant to apologetics.
Apologetics can include long-term relationships with unbelievers. This
requires applying the principles of lifestyle evangelism.

We must remember that we are asking unbelievers to change their entire
view of reality-the fundamental way in which they see life. We are asking
them to move from one worldview to another, to forfeit their basic beliefs
and assumptions about religion and morality. This may take time. A
relationship with a committed Christian can be vital in order for their
questions to be answered and their doubts to be removed, and to help
them rethink their former beliefs, goals, and aspirations.

We must also realize that as Christians, we are always on stage before
unbelievers. Many people watch for opportunities to point out and criticize
our failures. Paul warns in 2 Timothy 3:12 that "everyone who wants to
live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."

But non-Christians also watch to see how we respond to life's challenges.
This can make a tremendous impact on unbelievers. If we demonstrate
through our lifestyles that we possess an inner strength and peace of mind
that the world can't offer, Christianity can become extremely appealing to
people who have never been responsive to direct witnessing
(proclamation).

The principle here is this: The life a Christian lives in the presence of an
unbeliever acts as a preview to what an unbeliever will see his life
becoming if he becomes a Christian. If we are legalistic, condemning, or
self-righteous, a non-Christian will not want to become a Christian
because that is what he will see himself becoming if he does.

For example, an untimely or thoughtless comment on smoking, drinking,
or watching R-rated movies nearly always will slam the door on
evangelism. It doesn't matter whether or not these behaviors are wrong.
Even worse, if we live a life more in harmony with the secular world than
with the kingdom of God, an unbeliever will judge all Christians as
hypocrites and believe that he or she was right all along in rejecting
Christianity.

The point is that many unbelievers will choose to accept or reject
Christianity on the basis of what they see-not what they hear. Even if we
are clumsy in sharing our faith, it is often what unbelievers observe that
draws them to Christ. If our lives reflect Jesus, it can create an interest in
Christianity and lead to opportunities to share the gospel at a later time.

I can use myself as an example. For nine years my family lived next door
to a Christian couple who not only "talked the talk" but also lived a
Christian lifestyle. When we first moved into the neighborhood, I thought I
was a Christian. I believed in God. I occasionally went to church. But I
didn't have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Observing my
neighbors-not just listening to what they said-was a major force
compelling me to attend church regularly and to eventually make a
personal commitment to the Lord.

Lifestyle evangelism-by both the individual and the local church as a
whole-can be a decisive factor in witnessing to unbelievers. However,
one can't be saved without a knowledge of Jesus and His work of
atonement (Rom. 10:14-15). Sooner or later all people will need to hear
the gospel proclaimed.

I'll give you an example of Christian evangelical behavior. A cleancut
guy knocked on my door one morning and asked me to join his Bible Study
Group. I wasn't interested at the time, and told him that very
politely. He then asked me, "Well, don't you believe in God?" It
happened to be one of my Jewish days, so I said I did, but not the way
he did. I might even have said something about not praying retail,
through a middleman. He got offended, and stomped off.

For me, he will forever by the archetypical evangelical. If someone
comes to me to talk about Jesus or whatever, I remember that guy, and
the intolerance that lurks just beneath the surface of his bland,
clean-cut exterior. I have immunized my children against his approach,
and I have done my best to educate others.