Evangelism Options

[yummy_delight]

A good friend of mine and I recently got into a heated debate about evangelism. We're both Christians, but we have very different ideas about evangelism. When my friend started getting really involved in church a few years ago, he also became a rampant evangelist. He believes that by bringing more people into the church he is not only saving them from eternal damnation, but also doing his duty as a Christian. He has often quoted Charles Spurgeon, saying "Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter," essentially stating that you can't truly be Christian without evangelizing non believers.

I, however, don't like the idea of evangelism at all. Although I'm a devout Catholic, I dislike the idea of evangelism because I don't believe that anybody, myself included, has the right to force his or her beliefs on someone else. I think that everybody has a right to be whatever the religion they choose. Perhaps it's because I have a different idea about God than other people. I don't think that God sends honestly good people to Hell just because they don't believe in him. There are such things as Christian people who are hypocritical, paying lip service to God at church on Sundays, and still go about causing harm to other people. In my opinion, these people are less deserving of heaven than the good-hearted people whose only "fault" is that they don't believe in God. I think that my duty as a Christian is to be a good person and have a positive impact on the world, which doesn't necessarily mean that I HAVE to be an evangelist.

I'd just like to know what everyone else's opinion is on this, not merely from a Christian standpoint, but from another religion's or atheist's perspective as well. Do you approve of evangelism? Are you an evangelist? Do you think that evangelism is a necessary requirement for all good Christians?

[sdingfelder]

From Angelina Taylor:
I will just say one thing and I'll rest my case because (no offence) you're actually ridiculous in my eyes.

None taken. I appreciate the opportunity to have gotten to talk with you.

No offence as well, but I'll continue praying for you - that might not mean anything to you, though. I'm praying for the Lord to send someone else to talk with you since the words I've spoken have had no effect on your view of eternal truth and the eventuality of your time to stand in front of Him.

From Angelina Taylor:
Tell me what book you want me to read and I'll get it. I'm not fond of giving out my address to people online.

I understand completely.

http://www.livingwaters.com/Merchant2/merc...roduct_Code=104
or
http://www.livingwaters.com/Merchant2/merc...;Category_Code=

From Angelina Taylor:
P.S. Crucifiction in Rome meant that the person is killed for crimes against the state. If Jesus was really killed for religious crimes, they would've killed him with stones, as that was their custom. They did not.

As a nation that was under occupation, Israel was not allowed to carry out the death penalty the way the Old Covenant prescribed. The Jewish leaders were bound to go to the Roman rule in order to act upon their desire to carry out sentence.

From sadolakced acid:
while i do reserve that it is possible that the bible is wholly correct, the bible could be wrong, and this must be taken into account.

So, how do you determine which parts you believe is from God ? Is it just those portiosn of Scripture that make sense to you -- that you agree with ? What about 2 Timothy 3:16 ? That verse must be wrong, then.

Consider your own belief in Creation vs. the theory of evolution. If you believe that He created all things, how hard would it be for Him to preserve His Word -- especially since the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek are unchanging.

From sadolakced acid:
that being said, this isn't the bible thread. It's the evangelism thread.

Excellent point. Thank you. This isn't the Creation vs. theory of evolution thread either, so please forgive me for raising that.

So, in the vein of evangelism, would you agree that it is out of a concern for others that people share their faith with friends and strangers ? Would you agree that it is out of a concern for the promises they see in the Bible for those who do not come to God in the way He prescribes ? Would you agree that it is out of a need to tell people of the judgment and wrath to come ?

Out of curiosity, do you believe what Jesus said in John 3:3 and John 14:6 ? Do you believe what is said in Revelation 21:8 ?