This is primarily a question for you Christians but I’d be interested in hearing intelligent comments by non-Christians too.
Relational Evangelism emerged in the early nineties primarily through Bill Hybels at Willow Creek Church (See: Becoming a Contagious Christian, 1994). The basic idea is for Christians to intentionally make friends with non-Christians with the express purpose of evangelizing them. How do you feel about this and what are the short comings of this sort of tactic?
2006-07-22 08:27:45 · 6 answers · asked by Pablito 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
If you support relational evangelism what do you do when you find out that the person is not interested in converting? Is it moral to just dump the friendship?
2006-07-22 08:45:02 · update #1
I think it's sneaky and morally wrong. They are leading people to believe they really like them and want to be friends, but they're really just trying to get them close enough to brainwash them. The cult that I used to be in did exactly the same thing, only they used Paganism instead of Christianity.
2006-07-22 08:36:13 · answer #1 · answered by Maria Isabel 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, we are called to go and make disciples. Our friends are dear to us, and we should want to share the Good News with them. If they truly are our friends, then we should be passionate about not letting them walk into hell. If we did, what kind of friend are we? I hate it when my friends are afraid to tell me when my fly is unzipped. It is a much bigger issue about their eternal state.
Now, while it is important to evangelize our friends, it should not be the end all, be all in evangelism. There are too few of us doing ANY evangelism. We need to reach out to all people. You can find wonderful resources at www.wayofthemaster.com.
As to the second question, do we dump them when they refuse to convert? No, that would not be very friendly. I have dozens of unsaved friends. They know where I stand, and they can talk (or not) about faith anytime they want. When they don't want to talk about it, we don't.
2006-07-22 09:08:34 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Apostle Paul said that we should use all means to preach the Gospel. Friendship evangelism works. So use it.
2006-07-22 08:38:56 · answer #3 · answered by Smart_Guy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I highly agree with relational evangelism. I have also found it to be the most effective. To me it is not about getting to know people and telling them about Jesus, but it is more getting to know them and them seeing Jesus in me.
I strongly believe non-believers need to see Christians in action. They need to see us meeting people's needs, and showing the love of Christ, and then they are more receptive to listening to us talk about Christ. We need to be living what we preach. One of my favorite quotes is by I believe St. Augustine "Preach Christ at all times, if necessary use words."
2006-07-22 08:38:51 · answer #4 · answered by cinderella9202003 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it sounds awful. Become friends with someone not because you like them, but because you want to convert them? That's a lie, and lieing is a sin, is it not? I think most people would be able to tell what phony friends such people are.
2006-07-22 08:32:19 · answer #5 · answered by Girl Wonder 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some know God from relational, some emotional, some rational, some spiritual encounter.
All are alright, as long as they meet God.
2006-07-22 08:32:28 · answer #6 · answered by Melvin C 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋