Jerram Barrs has
given us a good sequel to his earlier book, The Heart of
Evangelism. This book is more focused in dealing with how
Jesus approached the subject we would call evangelism. I agree
with David Wells. “This is not a book about evangelism technique
but about doing evangelism biblically.” In one sense we can say
that Jesus did not have a particular methodology in doing
evangelism; yet on the other hand, there are certain aspects
that are a common thread in his approach. We perhaps should say
that Jesus always had an objective in mind, though it was always
applied by situation or context.
Barrs points
out an approach of Jesus to people that was often followed by
the late Francis Schaeffer. Schaeffer knew how to learn about
people, to ask questions, and to listen before seeking to
present Christ to them. Barrs actually quotes Schaeffer, who
used to say that “if he had only one hour with someone, he would
spend 55 minutes asking them questions and 5 minutes trying to
say something that would speak to their situation once he
understood a little more about what was going on in their heart
and mind.” This is a good summary of Barrs’ approach in this
book, using the parables to demonstrate Jesus’ style or method.
Barr even
quotes from the observation of Paul Weston, who has counted the
number of questions Jesus asked in the Gospels, an overall total
of 284. Jesus also told stories and left the audience to respond
and conclude His story, such as the famous parables in Luke’s
Gospel regarding the two lost sons. Jesus used story form to
communicate His message; and He did so in a way that the
audience, if they had ears to hear, would know exactly what He
was driving at.
The
confrontation with the Bible teacher, as Barrs calls it, or the
Good Samaritan parable, demonstrates another approach of Jesus.
This time, more than telling a story, He asked questions. Jesus
met the young lawyer where he was, which not only caught the man
off guard with His questions back to him but also revealed
something inside this inquisitor.
Here was a
lawyer who knew Scripture and could quote at least the key parts
but in reality did not know what those Scriptures meant. Through
a questioning process, Jesus made it obvious that such was the
case.
In witnessing
we have to realize, and we soon will if we do not, that simply
quoting Scripture does not reveal belief and understanding.
Knowing the truth is different from doing the truth. Jesus
masterfully demonstrates how to answer questions with questions
to make His point. Barr also reminds us that many to whom we
witness may not only lack a saving knowledge of God but an
understanding of themselves as well. Following Calvin, he
reminds us that we can only know ourselves if we know God.
Barr also talks
about witnessing or doing evangelism in a way that does not lead
to a quick decision where there is no knowledge of sin and the
need of forgiveness, which is prevalent in much “evangelism”
today. “Many people need to hear the law before they are ready
to hear the gospel,” he says.
In this book we
see Jesus using different methods, both direct and indirect,
stories and questions, to carry out His evangelism. Barr writes,
“The theme of this book is that Jesus, the Son of God, shows us
the way to be in the world. It is my deep conviction that our
evangelism, both in theory and practice, must be shaped not only
by the general teaching of Scripture, but also, indeed most of
all, by imitating the pattern of Christ.”
While you may
not find anything here that you have not already known, it is
good to refresh ourselves by studying more about Jesus and His
teachings with the desire to learn how to be more like Him.
Learning Evangelism from Jesus contains fifteen chapters
dealing with different stories from Jesus’ life, and the study
guide at the end will be helpful to those wishing to teach or
study more on this topic. Obviously, we recommend this book.
-
Charles Dunahoo
CEP Coordinator |
Third
Quarter 2009 Book Review